GB2426861A

GB2426861A - A system for providing tuition

Info

Publication number: GB2426861A
Application number: GB0510745A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian William Singleton
Original assignee: PLAYITNOW Ltd
Current assignee: PLAYITNOW Ltd
Priority date: 2005-05-25
Filing date: 2005-05-25
Publication date: 2006-12-06
Also published as: GB0510745D0

Abstract

A system for providing tuition comprises a delivery device (5, 6, 7) for delivering a lesson and a recording input (8) for receiving a recording from a student. The system also comprises a recording output (13) for delivering the recording to an assessor for assessment and an assessment input (11) for receiving the assessment of the recording from the assessor. Preferably, the system delivers music lessons and the delivery device (5, 6, 7) is capable of sending audio, video and graphical material. The delivery device (5, 6,7 ) may comprise a musical score guide or a fingering guide that is synchronized with the video, audio and/or graphical material. The assessor may be a person or a computing device and the system may include an assessment selector (9) to determine which assessor will provide the assessment.

Description

A System for Tuition

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a system for tuition, and in particular to an online tuition system.

Backaround

Various skills, such as playing a musical instrument or learning a foreign language, have traditionally been taught by the attendance of tutees at individual or group lessons with a suitably qualified teacher. At those lessons the tutees have learned the necessary skills required to play particular musical instruments or speak particular languages and also watch the teacher display those skills. In fact, the imitation of the teacher is an important element of the learning process when such skills are being taught.

In recent years it has become difficult to locate suitable teachers for tutees due to an increased demand. Even in areas where demand is lower, it has been found that it is difficult for tutees to attend lessons due to transport issues and the timing of those lessons. In an effort to get around these problems, video and audio recordings that included lessons were made available so that tutees could use those recordings in their own homes to learn new skills However, although these resources go some way to alleviating the problems associated with traditional lessons, there is no human interaction in the lessons, which means that it is difficult for tutees to assess their learning progression and to develop the desired skills.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a more satisfactory means of learning a skill that is also accessible conveniently.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the invention provides a system for providing music tuition comprising a delivery device for delivering a music lesson; a recording input for receiving a recording from a music tutee; a recording output for delivering the recording to an assessor for assessment; an assessment input for receiving an assessment of the recording from the assessor, and an assessment output for delivering the assessment to the tutee.

The delivery device is preferably adapted to send audio, video,and/or graphical material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the delivery device includes a score guide delivery device and/or a fingering guide delivery device. Preferably, some or all of the outputs of the delivery device are synchronised.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a system for receiving music tuition comprising a receiver for receiving a transmitted music lesson; a recording device for recording a piece of music; a transmitter for transmitting the recorded piece of music, and a feedback input for receiving feedback on the recorded piece of music.

1950402-1 1 Brief DescriDtion of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a general diagram of a system for teaching music in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a diagram of a teaching unit of the system for teaching music in accordance with the invention, Figure 3 is a flowchart of the principle steps carried out by the teaching unit of the system shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a screenshot of a user identification web page issued by the teaching unit; Figure 5 is a diagram of a tutee terminal of the system for teaching music in accordance with the invention, and Figure 6 is a flowchart of the principle steps carried out by the tutee terminal of the system shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a screenshot of the typical material displayed as part of a tutorial provided by the system, and Figure 8 is a screenshot of a progress report that is available to a tutee when using the system.

DescriDtion of an Embodiment The invention provides a system for teaching a skill, such as music, over a communications network. A music tutee, for example, can gain access to a music lesson using the system and then record a piece of music and send it to the system for assessment. Once assessment has taken place, the tutee is informed of the results of the assessment so that he/she can adapt their technique accordingly in the hope that their skills will improve.

A general overview of the system is shown in Figure 1. A first part of the system in the form of a teaching unit 1 is connected to second part of the system in the form of a tutee terminal 2 by means of a communications network, such as the Internet.

The system will be described here in the context of music lessons but it will be appreciated that it can also be used in other areas of skills teaching.

Figure 2 shows the principle elements of the teaching unit 1. A collection of lessons is stored on a database 3 on the teaching unit 1 for selective access by a tutee. Various aspects of the lessons are recorded separately. For example, a video recording is made of a teacher delivering a lesson A suitable corresponding fingering guide that shows the position of the teacher's 1950402-1 2 fingers on the instrument as a piece of music is being played is also uploaded to the database 3.

Similarly, a music score guide that follows a music score as the music is being played is uploaded. Both the fingering guide and music score guide use Flash software to illustrate the progression of the teacher through the piece of music being played, although any other suitable tool could be used.

Each of the tutorial components on the database 3 are then integrated and synchronised to form a complete tutorial. It is also possible for the individual elements of the tutorial to be integrated and synchronised prior to being uploaded to the database.

An administrator 4 in the teaching unit I controls access to the database 3 by tutees according to subscription requirements and user identification. It is envisaged that each subscriber to the system will have their own unique identification, including a password, which needs to be verified before the database 3 can be accessed.

The administrator 4 additionally manages the content of the database 3. If a tutorial is created without a fingering guide and/or music score guide, for example, the administrator will send an appropriate notification.

Once access to the database 3 has been granted to a tutee by the administrator 4 and the tutee has selected a tutorial, a number of types of material are sent to the tutee terminal 2. This material includes video and audio material that are sent by a video and audio delivery device 5, score guidance material that is sent by a score guide delivery device 6, and fingering configuration that is sent by a fingering guide delivery device 7. The various types of material are delivered simultaneously to the tutee terminal 2.

The teaching unit I also has a recording input 8 for receiving recordings from tutees. When a recording is received at the input 8 it is forwarded to an assessment selector 9 which determines whether it can be "automarked" or whether a human teacher is required to assess the recording If the recording is to be "auto-marked", it is directed to a marking machine 10 that effectively compares the recording with a "correct" version "Automarking" is suitable for recordings in which quantifiable factors are to be assessed. For example, rhythm, note-counting and pitch could all be assessed automatically. The results of the auto-marking are returned to the tutee via an assessment input 11 that receives the input from the marking machine 10 and an assessment output 12 that sends the feedback to the student. The feedback from the marking machine 10 is also entered onto the database 3 and the administrator 4 is updated to reflect the feedback received.

In cases where more qualitative assessment is required, for example, an assessment of the use of expression, the recording is directed to a human teacher via a recording output 13. The teacher has an opportunity to play the recording and assess its quality and then provide feedback on the recording and send that feedback back to the teaching unit 1. The feedback returns to the teaching unit 1 via the assessment input 11. The feedback is used to update the database 3 and 1950402-1 3 the administrator 4 and also returned to the relevant tutee via the assessment output 12. The feedback is in the form of an e-mail but could be in any other suitable form, such as a voice recording or SMS message.

A flow chart outlining the steps of the provision of access to a tutorial by the teaching unit 1, which is a web-based application, is shown in Figure 3. A tutee accesses the teaching unit 1 by logging onto a website or similar customer interface at step 100. The administrator 4 determines whether the tutee is registered as a subscriber at step 200 by requesting tutee identification, as shown in Figure 4, and verifying that identification. If the tutee has a subscription that permits access to the system, the administrator 4 allows the tutee to select a lesson or tutorial from those available at the teaching unit 1 at step 300. If not, the tutee is offered a subscription at step 400.

If the tutee accepts the offer of a subscription, the administrator 4 grants access to the system and the tutee is invited to select a tutorial at 300.

Following selection of a tutorial, the tutorial is extracted from the database 3 and the delivery devices 5, 6 and 7 send data constituting the selected tutorial from the system at step 700 The transmitted material includes a video of a teacher delivering a lesson, a guide that follows a score of music played by the teacher and a guide showing the fingering configuration that corresponds to that used by the teacher in playing the music. This material is sent by means of the video and audio delivery device 5, the score guide delivery device 6, and the fingering guide delivery device 7, respectively. At least some of the content transmitted is streamed Figure 5 shows the principle features of the tutee terminal 2. The system includes a display 20 for displaying the material transmitted to the tutee from the teaching unit 1. The display 20 has a control panel (not shown) that allows a tutee to control aspects of the display, including its volume and resolution. In addition, there is a facility on the display 20 for allowing the video and/or audio recording to be paused, stopped, rewound and re-played. A slider function is also available so that the tutee can elect to start at any point of the tutorial. The tutee thus has an opportunity to watch a tutorial as he/she wishes, rather than having to follow a set format.

The tutee system 2 has a recording device 21 for recording music played by the tutee. This device is downloadable from the teaching unit 1. In addition, there is a compressor 22 for compressing the recording for delivery. The recording can be transmitted by a transmission device 23. In certain situations it may also be useful for the recording from the tutee to include a video element. When playing the piano, for example, it may be important that the teacher assesses the tutee's posture and/or hand movements. Therefore, the recording device may incorporate a camera.

The tutee can opt to send a recording as soon as it has been made or delete it and continue to make recordings until he/she is satisfied that they have produced a recording that is suitable for assessment. If required, the system can be set up to limit the number of recordings. For example, a maximum of three recordings could be allowed, so that the third recording would be sent to the teaching unit 1 for assessment, regardless of the tutee's view of that recording Such 1950402-1 4 a feature would be useful as a means for ensuring fairness when a number of tutees were being assessed collectively.

The tutee receives feedback at a feedback input 24. If the tutee is unhappy with the feedback they can appeal the feedback by sending a message back to the teaching unit I via an appeal output 25.

The main steps that take place at the tutee system 2 are shown in Figure 6.

The tutee gains access to the system at 150 and selects a tutorial at 250. Tutorials will be provided for a range of different instruments and at a range of different levels. A particular tutee may be restricted in terms of the tutorials that are available to them for selection by virtue of their subscription arrangement For example, if a tutee has only subscribed to access piano lessons, they will not be able to select a violin tutorial.

Once the tutorial has been received, the display 20 is used to display the tutorial content at step 350. Figure 7 is a screenshot of an example tutorial. When a tutee has finished watching the tutorial, they can practise the music score featured in the tutorial and make their own recording of that piece of music using the recording device 21 at step 450. The submission of a recording may be prompted by an invitation from the teaching unit 1. If this is the case, the tutee may also receive a warning that they are about to be invited to make a recording so that they can prepare themselves. A countdown timer may also be available to indicate to the tutee the time remaining before recording will commence. The output from the recording device 21 can then be compressed by the compressor 22 at step 550 and sent by the transmission device 23 to the teaching unit 1 for assessment at step 650.

When feedback on the recording is received at step 750, the tutee has an opportunity to appeal the feedback received at step 850. If an appeal is made, a message is sent to the teaching unit 1 at step 950 and the recording is re-marked by an alternative party. In the case of automarking, for example, it is likely that the recording would be reassessed by a human teacher.

Alternatively, if the recording was initially marked by a human teacher, the recording would be re- marked by another human teacher. Feedback from the re-marking would be returned to the tutee via the feedback input 24 at step 1050.

It is also possible for a tutee to be provided with a progress report when they log onto the teaching unit 1. An example of a progress report is shown in Figure 8. The progress report allows the tutee to monitor how much of a particular course has been completed and also see which lessons are still available for completion. The progress report also gives details of the feedback received for lessons that have already been assessed. It is not necessary for the tutee to progress chronologically through a particular course, so they may wish to select a tutorial on the basis of their mood. However, if a tutee has not obtained an acceptable mark in a certain key tutorial, the teaching unit 1 may prevent the tutee from progressing to subsequent tutorials in a particular series.

1950402-1 5 The benefit of the invention is that a tutee receives tuition from a teacher that shows visually how the teacher plays an instrument and gives the teacher an opportunity to deliver a lesson charismatically. The tutee is essentially provided with a virtual music lesson. In addition, the fingering and score guides that accompany the lesson enable the student to follow a piece of music being played by the teacher and to following the fingering used by the teacher in a clear and simple way. Often, it is not possible to detect where a teacher's fingers are moving when an instrument is being played. With a simplified fingering diagram, a tutee can follow the fingering used by the teacher and attempt to copy it. The synchronisation of all of these elements is useful in conveying the lesson to the tutee, although not essential. Furthermore, the tutee obtains feedback on their own skills, so that they can adapt their technique accordingly with a view to optimising those skills.

It will be appreciated that a number of variations of the features of the invention are possible. For example, rather than a tutee having to access a remote system to obtain access to tutorials, it is possible that the features of the teaching unit 1 be incorporated on a data carrier such as a CD- ROM. Alternatively, a tutee could download the necessary data from the teaching unit 1 to the tutee terminal in a single operation to avoid repeated communication with the teaching unit 1.

In a further variation of the invention, rather than a single tutee being in communication with the teaching unit 1 there could be a "community" of users linked together that all communicate with the teaching unit 1 in a prescribed manner. An example of this would be a class of school children that accesses the teaching unit 1. Although each pupil would communicate with the teaching unit 1 individually, the way in which that communication takes place could be determined by a "leader", such as a teacher The administrator 4 would assist in the management of the community".

The recording device 21 does not have to be downloadable from the teaching unit 1 but could be installed permanently on or be physically connectable to the tutee terminal 2.

In addition, the recording from the tutee does not need to be compressed by a compressor 22 before transmission to the teaching unit 1. Subject to the size of a data file containing the recording, compression may not be necessary.

Feedback on recordings received from the marking machine or human assessor could be sent directly to the tutee, rather than being forwarded by means of the assessment input 11 and assessment output 12.

The assessment selector 9 may not forward recordings to be assessed directly to the marking machine or human assessor but could store them for a predetermined period before sending them on. Similarly, the assessment selector 9 may write the recordings to a store for extraction later by the marking machine or human assessor.

1950402-1 6 The tutorial does not have to include video material but could simply include an audio recording of a teacher delivering a lesson. In addition, the tutorial could also include a text transciption of the the lesson so that tutees with hearing difficulties could follow the lesson.

It is also envisaged that left-handed fingering configurations will be available for use by left- handed tutees.

Tutees may have the option of withholding their identity from some elements of the teaching unit 1. This might be desirable in the event that a human assessor is carrying out an assessment of a tutee's recording, particularly if the human assessor is known to the tutee.

Similarly, if a tutee would like to focus on a certain aspect of the tutorial, the tutee can elect to hide other elements of the tutorial. For example, a tutee may wish to hide the music score guide and/or fingering guide.

The teaching unit 1 may additionally include a search engine to enable tutees to search for lessons on particular topics.

The delivery devices 5, 6 and 7 could be combined in a single delivery device 1950402-1 7

Claims

CLAI MS: 1. A system for providing music tuition comprising a delivery

device for delivering a music lesson; a recording input for receiving a recording from a music tutee; a recording output for delivering the recording to an assessor for assessment; an assessment input for receiving an assessment of the recording from the assessor, and an assessment output for delivering the assessment to the tutee.
2. A system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the delivery device is adapted to send audio material.
3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the delivery device is adapted to send video material.
4. A system as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the delivery device is adapted to send graphical material.
5. A system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the delivery device includes a score guide delivery device that is adapted to deliver a score guide to lead a tutee through a piece of music.
6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the delivery device includes a fingering guide delivery device that is adapted to deliver correct fingering configurations on a musical instrument to a tutee.
7. A system as claimed in Claim 2, 3, 4, 5 and/or 6, wherein any or all of the outputs from the delivery device are synchronised.
8. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises an assessment selector for determining the assessor that is to carry out the assessment.
9. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assessor is a person.
10. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the assessor is an assessment device.
11. A system for providing music tuition substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. A system for receiving music tuition comprising a receiver for receiving a transmitted music lesson; a recording device for recording a piece of music; 1950402-1 8 a transmitter for transmitting the recorded piece of music, and a feedback input for receiving feedback on the recorded piece of music.
13. A system as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the receiver has a display that is capable of displaying graphical, audio and/or video material.
14. A system as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, wherein the system further comprises a compressor for compressing the recorded piece of music prior to sending the recording.
15. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 14, wherein the recording device includes a microphone.
16. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 15, wherein the recording device includes a camera.
17. A system for receiving music tuition substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. A system for providing tuition comprising a delivery device for delivering a lesson; a recording input for receiving a recording from a tutee; a recording output for delivering the recording to an assessor for assessment; an assessment input for receiving an assessment of the recording from the assessor, and an assessment output for delivering the assessment to the tutee.

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