EP1844406A1

EP1844406A1 - Search engine based self-teaching system

Info

Publication number: EP1844406A1
Application number: EP06701108A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Reto Gfeller
Original assignee: SDN AG
Current assignee: SDN AG
Priority date: 2005-02-02
Filing date: 2006-01-27
Publication date: 2007-10-17
Also published as: US20090100012A1; WO2006081698A1

Abstract

The invention relates to the structured addition to search engines on the internet, intranet and/or individual networks, whereby at least one entry or so-called link or address is selected from a list of information relating to at least one particular search term. Said entry is placed in a separate file or type of basket and subsequently the selected entries and links are optionally structured or ordered and returned to the original list for the particular search term as a new entry or selection and marked as a special selection.

Description

Search engine based self-learning system

The present invention relates to a method for supplementing search engines with selection lists and

Learning recipes and possibly a learning window according to the preamble of claim 1, and a learning recipe according to the preamble of claim 8.

The learning recipes are additional entries in the result list of a search engine. If learning recipes are selected, a learning window guides the user interactively through the other individual information based on the learning recipe. Learning recipes are created by means of a procedure.

Analogous to cooking recipes, in which a food is created from individual ingredients, a sequence of actions and supplementary instructions, knowledge is created in the case of learning recipes from individual information, an action sequence of learning steps and supplementary instructions from the user.

So-called search engines on the Internet or in local networks, such as Yahoo, Altavista, Google, ProFusion, MSN. com, etc. replace more and more well-known dictionaries or reference works, textbooks, etc. Also for learning purposes, the mentioned search engines are used more and more. In addition, in-house search tools are developed in industrial companies, service companies, etc., which are specially tailored to the particular needs of individual companies. The big disadvantage of all these search tools is that when entering a particular search term, a huge wealth of individual information is displayed, which overwhelms the user in general, and in particular with regard to a learning process. The often very extensive list of pieces of information is sorted, if at all, only according to certain automatable criteria such as date, topic or frequency of the access. This often leads to the fact that based on the current state of knowledge of the user information is not found, respectively. this gives up the search before.

In particular, the inadequacy of trying to systematically learn by means of such search tools or to pursue self-education. In other words, it's hard to learn for yourself, because you do not know where to start. The learner would need to know which individual information resp. at which part of it to start and in what order it should proceed. Based on his level of knowledge, he would have to be guided step by step according to didactic principles from the basics to the details, which is simply impossible with the search tools known today.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a way to structure in the so-called search tools on the Internet or in local networks when entering one or more search terms, the list of information found to the access or. to simplify the search for certain information resp. according to given criteria. Another Task is to create learning opportunities so that such search tools can also be used as a learning aid.

According to the invention, the objects are achieved in particular by means of a method according to the wording of claim 1.

The present invention provides the possibility in the so-called search tools on the Internet or in local networks when entering one or more search terms to supplement the result list found individual information with a user-specific selection and / or with user-specific learning recipes. If the user selects a learning recipe, a learning window guides him on the basis of the recipe in a learning-oriented and controlled manner in a simple manner by selecting the information required for the learning objective.

In principle, every user has the option of cataloging existing individual information in the special search engine and to create learning recipes. Here, he can refer either in the usual way on existing computer network know-how in the form of files and Internet pages (link) or, but he can also on not included in the computer network literature or. References to the literature (printed books ...) or refer to experts (people). We continue to call such entries "references" or "expert references". This turns the search engine into a know-how transfer system. According to the invention, it is proposed that first of all from one result list, which is created on the basis of a search term by a so-called search engine on the Internet or in a local network, one or more entries resp. Individual information can be selected and stored in a separate filing as a draft selection or example of a learning recipe. Once the selection has been made, this design of the selection or selection is displayed in the separate clipboard. this draft of the learning recipe is opened and structured according to didactic considerations, supplemented and arranged. Subsequently, this selection or this learning recipe is transferred back as a new entry in the original result list of the search engine and marked as a selection and / or as a learning recipe. This indicates what knowledge can be acquired through the selection or the learning recipe and for whom the selection or the learning recipe is suitable. If the same search term is entered again, the selection or the learning recipe is preferably displayed at the beginning of the original result list.

In this way, selection lists or learning recipes for specific search terms and individual needs of individual user groups can be created, for example by a person specially assigned to this work, thus making it difficult for these users to match the individual information appropriate for the learning process, text passages in the computer network and the literature is omitted. The user can simply click on the learning recipe and immediately a learning window guides him controlled and didactically correct by the other information of the search engine to the learning objective.

A very efficient use of the invention is when learning recipes with references refer to often existing course materials that are available to the learner in print form. The system expands existing literature resp. Course materials for the computer-aided distance learning course.

As an extension, it is possible to create, for example, the learning recipe, additional to each learning step

To enter instructions. Through these instructions, the author of a learning recipe can bring important information. For example, he or she can indicate to the learner what needs to be done in the learning step, with what angle individual information is to be worked out, where in a selected link the essentials can be found, etc. Often the individual entries or Links of a search engine as they are also used in the learning recipe are very extensive and the individual information needed for learning is not found immediately. This is especially the case with references. Through the information in the instruction of a step of the learning recipe, the user can be specifically directed to the relevant section of the individual information. This makes self-learning even easier.

According to a further embodiment variant, it is proposed that a selection or a learning recipe be accompanied by supplementary steps. These additional steps can be comments, questions, exercises, etc. be . In particular, through interactive questions, the correct response of which examines the learning window, a search engine expanded in this way becomes a self-learning system or, more globally, a know-how transfer system. So it is possible, especially with company-internal search tools, to prepare for the employees in a simple way from already existing material a self-learning process, in which the search process is supplemented with learning recipes. For example, in a service company, such as a bank, a

Person to be charged to different search terms, by means of which from the Internet or. Intranet a wealth of information can be made available to set up a search engine or. to revise. Existing information such as intranets, files, folders, literature, documents, experts, etc. bundled by being additionally recorded and cataloged in the search engine. This can be done manually or automatically. In a further step, several target group-specific learning recipes, possibly with target-group-specific instructions, questions, tests and exercises, can be created for the same individual information. This procedure turns a search engine into a know-how transfer system.

Selection lists or learning recipes can be modified or copied and modified at any time to serve other target groups. As a rule, such a search engine with its learning recipes is available in-house and is not opened to external users. Of course, there is also the possibility that the aforementioned global search engines, such as Yahoo, ProFusion, Google, such

Provide learning recipes globally to their present users.

The invention will now be described below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying figures, which are in the form of block diagrams.

Showing:

Fig. 1 shows schematically the creation of a selection such as a learning recipe from a result list, created by means of a search engine, FIG. 2 shows schematically the addition of additional entries in the learning recipe,

Fig. 3 shows schematically the creation of differentiated

Learning recipes, intended for different user groups, Fig. 4 a learning window as a stage or part of a learning recipe, and

Fig. 5 another learning window containing an exercise or. interactive question to be answered within the framework of a learning recipe. FIG. 1 shows the basic principle of the method according to the invention on the basis of a schematic flow chart. At step 1, in an internet search engine, such as Altavista, Google, Yahoo, etc. or one internal network search tool entered a search term, here called XYZ. Now depending on the search engine or. Search tool on the whole Internet for appropriate keywords, and, as shown schematically in step 2, a list of entries associated with this search term or. Links created. The more general the term XYZ, the larger the list of entries. For example, the search term "Switzerland" gives about 40 million entries, while the entry "Koalabär" shows approx. 22'0OO entries. Finally, for polydiallyl phthalate, there are only 27 entries in the list generated by the search engine. But even with only 100 to 200 entries, it is extremely difficult for a user who resp. his knowledge and his

Learning objective to find the most relevant links. In particular, it should be noted that the user typically would have to gather from a variety of entries and from this the one appropriate for his knowledge, in order to expand his knowledge in the desired manner.

For this reason, a user or a specific person for creating learning recipes can now create a selection from the result list generated by the search engine. For this purpose, it is provided that by specially marked "clicking" of the selected

Registration or of the selected link this or this is stored in a separate filing, such as in the manner of a basket of goods as a draft of a learning recipe. This means that this entry is not primarily opened, but its link noted in the separate filing. It is also possible with these notes to specify particularly interesting pages or sections of the entries and also to enter learning-relevant information about this learning step in the learning recipe. Step 3 according to FIG. 1 now shows the example of such a selection as a learning recipe draft. After all entries required for the learning process have been filed in the draft of the learning recipe 3, the individual learning steps can be structured, supplemented and arranged according to didactic considerations.

Finally, the now definitive learning recipe is entered as a new entry in the search engine. It can be noted here what the learning objective of the learning recipe is, who the author is, what search terms should be and for which user group it is suitable, whereby the level of knowledge available to the user is often assumed.

If a user then enters the original search term XYZ, he sees that there are already learning recipes that relieve him of the task of searching and selecting and giving him additional instructions. If he chooses a learning recipe, a learning window leads him interactively on the basis of the recipe through the individual information or information that applies to him or her. Left .

Depending on whether it is a publicly available search tool, such as Google or Altavista, or an in-house search tool, a learning recipe is accessible to j edermann or only for a specific group of people, such as the employees of a company. With reference to Figure 1, the basic principle of the inventive method is shown schematically and it is of course possible to further expand the inventive method. Thus, it is possible, for example, as shown schematically and again with reference to a flowchart in Figure 2, to add to the learning recipe according to step 3 of Figure 1 additional entries. This may be, for example and as shown schematically in step 3A in FIG. 2, an exercise for entry B4, a question about entry A2, a specific comment on entry B4 or a general exercise on the search term originally entered in the search engine. All these additional entries can subsequently be structured, as shown schematically under step 4 in FIG. 2, together with the selected entries, or structured. be ordered. It makes little sense to insert an exercise for entry B4 before opening this entry, since the user does not yet know the information from entry B4. After successful ordering or structuring, the

Learning Recipe as presented earlier, filed as an entry in the search engine.

If a user, for example in a company such as in a financial services company, enters the search term "money laundering", he will be shown a number of entries as well as existing learning recipes, preferably at the beginning of the list of results Literature (indicating the text in it) as well as the system, who is the expert for the search term (expert references). On the basis of the learning objective and target group noted in the learning recipes, he can recognize whether he and a writer have already taken the work together. If he chooses the learning recipe, he is through a

Learning window interactively and didactically correctly guided by the relevant individual information such as Internet addresses or Internet or intranet links, files, literature and sources of information on the screen of his PC or laptop. In addition, he receives instructions, exercises, comments, questions, etc.

If necessary, the learning recipes are prepared by a person responsible for training in this company. Thus, the system is not only for information but also for the training of employees.

Especially for large companies, it often does not make sense to create a single learning recipe for all employees on a topic. Rather, it makes sense to create differentiated learning recipes for different groups of people. Again, such a list of different learning recipes for a particular search term is shown schematically in FIG. For example, the learning recipe contains 2 exercises for secretaries, while the learning recipe 2 'contains exercises intended for the middle cadre. Next it contains one

Learning Recipe 1 as a pure single information selection list without questions and exercises intended for management. Such learning recipes often arise by copying and modifying existing learning recipes. Finally follow afterwards to the various learning recipes the original entries, as listed under point 2 in Figure 1.

FIG. 4 shows a learning window 1 as part of a learning recipe, the learning recipe being guided by means of a sequence of learning windows. A learning window guides the user interactively with individual information based on the learning recipe or the selection list and, if necessary, gives it additional instructions. For example, on the left of the learning window 1 are any instructions 3 of the author of the learning recipe listed. At the top right, for example, is a short description 5 of the current step included and example, bottom right or in an additional pop-up window appears currently selected by the recipe item 7. This item of information may be, for example, a web page or an extract thereof or a video clip, a PDF document, printed literature or even a person (expert), etc. As a reminder, it should be mentioned again that the individual information could also have been selected directly from the result of the search engine, if one had found this individual information. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. Finally, for example, a possible help button 9 may be present at the top right, which authorizes the user, for example via e-mail or other communication methods, to be the author of the

Learning recipe leads and / or other assistance gives.

As already mentioned above with reference to FIG. 2, a learning recipe may also contain questions, exercises, additional comments, and accordingly FIG. 5 shows a learning window 11 containing a question. Again in the area 13 the corresponding instruction is given, in the area 15 the title of the exercise is indicated and in the field 17 is the question or. the interactive question to be answered. Finally, the learning window 11 also contains a help button 19.

As an extension, you can plan and log who has worked through which learning recipe in the learning window. This enables a success control, a measurability of the transfer of know-how that takes place, for example by being able to monitor externally whether a special learning recipe is also opened or closed by certain employees. has been processed. In other words, by means of the know-how transfer system defined according to the invention, not only a learning aid for employees or generally for a certain group of persons can be worked out, but additionally the entire learning process can be monitored or. to be controlled . This is also true if a learning recipe consists only of references. The learner works independently computer-aided printed

Literature through, but progress and quality can be measured.

An additional extension is that a learner who needs help with understanding problems may contact the author of the learning recipe, for example, by appending the e-mail address of the learning recipe author to the search engine.

Modern companies consider existing knowledge as an important resource. The system detects who Individual information is cataloged in the search engine, who enters learning recipes and who uses learning recipes. The transfer of know-how can thus be measured and, in extreme cases, accounted for - this is a demand which is currently made by various large banks for the assessment of

Demand corporate quality or company substance. The search engine maintains a user status that makes it visible and measurable how intensively every employee participates in the know-how transfer. The great advantage of the method according to the invention is that the know-how that is available, for example, in a company can be made available, controlled and measurable by employees or users in a simple and time-economic manner. In a company, almost all knowledge is available in explicit form somewhere in the IT or in manuals, but it must first be cataloged centrally. According to the invention, this is carried out with an enterprise-internal search engine, for example, with which the basis is created in order to create learning recipes, supplemented by exercises, learning paths, comments, etc.

In summary, it should be mentioned again that today you can find virtually all the explicit knowledge of the world on the Internet and in printed literature. This also applies within a particular company. You just can not learn it because the learning recipes resp. the targeted selection of individual information is missing, which didactically in correct Sequence on the level of knowledge and the learning target of the target audience are matched.

The trigger of the present invention was thus the saying of John Naisbitt which reads: "We are drowning in information but thirsting for knowledge." This wish fulfills the present invention The method according to the invention thus makes the Internet or the search operation from an information source of individual information a source of knowledge.

Claims

claims

1. A method for the structured completion of search engines on the Internet, intranet and / or individual networks, characterized in that from a list of information for at least one particular

Search term at least one entry resp. a so - called link or a reference selected and in a separate filing or. a kind of shopping cart is filed, the selected entries and references may be structured or ordered, and added as a new entry or as a selection in the original list for the specific search term as a special selection.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that several entries or. Links or references are selected, and in the separate list at least one new individual contribution is attached, and then the possibly structured or. newly ordered list or selection is marked as a new entry specially marked to the corresponding search term list.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one individual contribution is added as an entry to the selection list, such as a comment, a questionnaire, an exercise, a reference to specific literature, etc. and then the possibly structured or newly ordered selection list is added as a new entry specially marked to the corresponding search term list.

4. A method for supplementing search engines according to one of claims 1 to 3 with at least one learning recipe and optionally a learning window, characterized in that the or the learning recipe (s) by the selection or. the additional entries in the result list of a search engine are formed.

5. The method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the separate filing with the selected entries and references and optionally one or more individual contributions in a learning path structured or. ordered in a specific order and then the separate filing incl. Learning path as a learning recipe, if necessary, specially marked with a learning window for the corresponding

If necessary, the learning window leads the user based on the learning recipe targeted by the information or excerpts thereof.

6. The method according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized indicates that in addition to the reference to individual information information is attached to a step in the learning recipe, which gives the self-learning additional help.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that at least one additional

Learning step is added to the learning recipe, such as an instruction, a question whose correct answer can be checked by the learning window, an exercise, etc. which makes the self-learning process interactive.

8. Individual selection entry or learning recipe for a search engine for a specific term created list, generated by a method according to one of Ansrpüche 1 to 7, characterized in that the selection or. the learning recipe specially selected entries resp. Links from the search engine list and possibly. References to literature and know-how carriers and, where appropriate, further individual contribution entries, such as comments, exercises, questionnaires, summaries, etc.

9. entry according to claim 8, characterized in that the learning recipe is supplemented by a learning window, which specifically targets a user of the learning recipe by the individual list of entries or. Links as well as individual contributions leads.

10. Use of the selection or the learning recipe according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that it is the extension of a search engine or a search process to a self-learning system or know-how transfer system, wherein the result list of the search engine by a Learning recipe is supplemented, based on which a user by means of a learning window targeted by the individual entries or. Links and additional entries is feasible.

11. Use according to claim 10, characterized in that the use of the self-learning system or the know-how transfer system or the learning recipes has a progress control, by means of which one can track the learning progress of the user in the search engine.

12. Use according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized indicates that the learning recipes are assigned to a specific group of users, matching its knowledge and knowledge goal, such as in particular in a company a special circle of employees.

13. Use according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that an access from external to the learning path is possible to allow an administrator to monitor the learning progress.

14. Use according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that a targeted assistance for learners is provided by the possibility exists to access the author of a learning recipe.

15. Use according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that by means of the system of know-how transfer of a company is measurable and can also be assigned to individual know-how carriers.

16. Use according to any one of claims 10-14, characterized in that by means of the system, the existing enterprise substance is measurable or. For example, it can be quantified as part of a business valuation.

17. Use according to any one of claims 10-15, characterized in that by means of the system an individual assessment of employees is possible, both in

Sense of the employees as a know-how carrier as well as in the sense of providing know-how by the employee.