WO2001075840A1

WO2001075840A1 - A learning-assistance system

Info

Publication number: WO2001075840A1
Application number: PCT/JP2000/005814
Authority: WO
Inventors: Atsuo Miura; Tadashi Kawakita
Original assignee: Dsk Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-03-31
Filing date: 2000-08-28
Publication date: 2001-10-11
Also published as: AU6733300A

Abstract

A learning-assistance system that uses a computer network and that includes a server computer that can communicate via the Internet, and student computer terminals that can communicate via a computer network, with said system being such that study-materials data is transmitted from the server computer to one or more student terminals. The processing unit of the server executes operations for: creating a questions group that can be specified by a tag when one of the tags is selected by using an input device at a student terminal; allocating a test-questions group to the study unit that has been designated by using said input device; storing the allocation information in the study-subject-data storage section; creating a study plan corresponding to the selected content when a grade level, subject, study unit, study-progress data, and question group have been specified; storing the study plan in a data-storage device; sending to a student terminal the study plan and question group requested from that student terminal.

Description

DESCRIPTION

A LEARNING-ASSISTANCE SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a learning-assistance system using computer technology.

Description of the Prior Art

In many schools, a computer system is used for the purpose of assisting students in learning. For example, the contents of the schoolbook or exercises are stored in the memory of a server computer (hereinafter "server"); a student operates a client computer to read a section of the schoolbook and thereby learns material necessary to be able to answer questions.

In conventional computer systems used to provide study assistance, it is possible to add questions to the server, to delete questions that are stored therein, or to alter the questions. However, it is difficult to provide meticulous study assistance whereby test questions are provided in accordance with the abilities or study level of the individual student. In addition, such study assistance can be received only at certain schools or at cram schools, and such a situation is unfair for students who cannot go to such sites. Also, such a system is not very time-efficient.

One objective of the present invention is to provide an improved learning- assistance system that is capable of furnishing meticulous services that are superior in quality to those provided by a conventional learning-assistance system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a learning-assistance system comprising a server and a plurality of student-user computer terminals (hereinafter "student terminals") that can communicate together through a computer network whereby study materials are provided from said server computer to said student terminals, with the system characterized such that:

Said server comprises an input device used for input operations, a processing unit for conducting said operations according to a specified computer program, a storage device for storing data, and a computer monitor or other display device for displaying computer-generated text and images;

Said storage device of said server comprises an attributes-data storage section for storing basic-attributes data, including at least school-level and grade-level (hereinafter "grade-level") data and study-subject data; and a study-subject-data storage section for storing data corresponding to:

(1) course data, which consists of a list of study-unit sections of study-subject material for each grade level,

(2) study-progress data, which is data regarding the time schedule for studying each of said study units, and

(3) question data, comprising tags showing a question and its subject, the grade level, and the content and degree of difficulty of the question; and

Said processing unit of said server executes such operations as:

(1) creating a questions group that can be accessed by a tag when one of said tags is selected by using said input device,

(2) allocating said questions group to the study unit selected by using said input device and storing the allocation information in said study-subject data-storage section,

(3) creating a study program corresponding to the selected contents for a particular grade level, subject, study unit, study-progress data, and question group,

(4) storing the study program in said storage unit, and (5) sending said study program and said questions group to the student terminal that has requested said study program and said question group.

The input device is a piece of hardware, such as a keyboard, and a mouse or touch panel or the like, that is operated so as to input data or commands, and the processing unit is a server computer that includes a CPU and software as its central elements.

An example of the storage device is a hard disk, which can be either a built-in type or an external type, although any other type of storage device can also be used. For data that does not need to be rewritten, one or more storage media such as a CD- ROM can be used. The display device is not subject to any special requirements or limitations except that it must be able to display images such as text and graphics. The storage device comprises an attributes-data storage section and a study-subject-data storage section. Both storage sections are contained either in separate folders in a single storage device (e.g., a hard disk) or in separate storage devices.

The attributes-data storage section stores basic-attributes data, including at least the grade-level data and study-subject-name data, and the study-subject-data storage section stores at least:

(1) course data, which is a list of the study units corresponding for each subject for each grade-level,

(2) data concerning the degree of study progress, which is data for setting the time for studying the study unit, and

(3) questions data, including a tag indicating the content of the subject, the grade level, and the degree of difficulty of each question.

The grade-level data usually consists of the level of school (e.g., grade school, junior high school, or high school) and the grade-level thereof, (e.g., 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, and so on). However, if the level of the school wherein the learning-assistance system is used is fixed, or if it is exclusively used in a junior high school, the grade- level data can include only the grade level per se. The subject data consists of the study-subject data, such as mathematics, English language, Japanese language and so on, that is allocated to each grade level. Furthermore, the basic-attributes data can include the number of the class (e.g., grade 5, class no. 2) and the name of the individual student. The course data is a list of study units corresponding to the subject (mathematics, for example) and the grade level (e.g., junior high school, 1st year), and a study unit is preferably described in terms of a hierarchical structure consisting of an complete unit (e.g., positive numbers and negative numbers), a subunit (e.g., addition and subtraction of positive and negative numbers) and a sub-subunit (e.g., rules of addition). Data regarding the degree of study progress is set in terms of a schedule for studying the study unit as a whole and the individual parts thereof. For example, the complete unit should be studied between April 1 and April 30, the subunit between April 1 and April 8, and the sub-subunit between April 1 and April 2.

Question data for each questions consists of a number of tags, each of which respectively corresponds to the question, the subject of the question, the grade level, the content of the question, and the degree of difficulty of the question. Each question data corresponds to one independent question (some questions might include a plurality of sub-questions). Because each question data contains tags that indicates the subject, the grade level, and the content and degree of difficulty of the question, it is possible to create a group of questions for the same subject at the same grade level, with the content and degree of difficulty also of the same level, merely by designating the subject (e.g., mathematics), the grade level (e.g., junior high school, 1st year), the content (the law of addition and subtraction of positive and negative numbers), and the degree of difficulty.

When some of the tags (tags indicating the subject and grade level are essential, but some tags, such as those indicating the degree of difficulty, for example, can be omitted) have been designated, the processing unit converts the question data having the designated tags into a questions group that can be specified by the designated tags. That is, it is possible to create a group of test questions that relate to the same specified subject-study content and that are of the same degree of difficulty.

Furthermore, the processing unit allocates each group of test questions to the specific study unit that is selected by using the input device, and the allocation information is stored in the study-subject data-storage section (allocation processing). Also, when the grade level, the name of the subject, the study unit, the degree of difficulty, and the test-questions group are designated, the processing unit creates a study program corresponding to the designated content (study-program-creation processing), and the study program is stored in the storage device.

At the time of the above processing, the processing unit conducts a process for displaying on the display device the content of input operations or the contents selected by using the input device, thereby enabling the user to operate the input device while seeing what is being displayed on the display device. The server of the learning-assistance system creates and stores the test-questions groups, so that it is possible to select and use a questions group of a desired degree of difficulty.

In addition, when the grade level, the name of the subject, and the study unit are specified, a study program that corresponds to the designated contents is created, so that it is possible to easily create a suitable set of exercises or test questions that are appropriate for a particular student's level of study.

Furthermore, the processing unit executes processing for the study program and the test-questions group that the user of a student terminal requests through a communications device, so that the user of the client terminal (a tutor or a student) can use the test questions of a study program that corresponds to the individual student's level of study.

That is, with the learning-assistance system 1, it is possible to meticulously assist a student's learning efforts by providing test questions that correspond to the ability and study level of the individual student. Also, if the student has a student terminal 5 at home, it is not necessary for the student to go to any specified site such as a school of any type, such as a private cram school. This means that students for whom it is difficult to go to such a site can receive the same level study assistance as is received by students who go to a school, and thus they are able to use their time more efficiently.

In the learning-assistance system of the present invention, a student terminal comprises an input device used for input operations, a processing unit that conducts operations in accordance with a computer program, a storage device that stores study-related data, and a computer monitor or other type of display device for displaying images on a screen.

The student-terminal processing unit executes such operations as:

(1) requesting that the server computer transmit the study program that the student has selected by using an input device,

(2) storing the study program and the corresponding test-questions group in the student-terminal storage device,

(3) displaying on the student-terminal display device the test-questions group of the study unit of the study program that the student has selected by using the student- terminal input device, and in a form that can be designated as a combination of the level of study of the study unit and the type of test, and (4) displaying the test questions of the test-questions group that the student has selected by using the student-terminal input device.

When using test questions, the tutor or student is required only to use the student-terminal input device so as to select one of the study programs, thereby obtaining a study program and test questions that correspond to the individual student's level of study. That is, if a tutor or student selects a study program using the student-terminal input device, then the test-questions group of the study units included in the study program are displayed in a form that can be designated as a combination of the level of study of the study unit and the type of test. And when the tutor or student selects one of the test-questions groups, the selected test-questions group is displayed on the student-terminal display device.

To select test questions,^' a tutor or student is required only to use the student- terminal input device to select the study program and the kind of test desired, and such an operation is simple to perform. Studying can be done using the display on the screen only, although there might be situations in which use of a paper copy of the study material is more convenient for the student.

In such a situation, the learning-assistance system of the present invention allows the student-terminal input device to direct the student-terminal processing unit to execute an operation to output the questions of the selected test-questions group as print data. If the destination for output of the print data is a printer, it is possible to print practice questions or test questions.

The learning-assistance system of the present invention can include a tutor's terminal that is capable of accessing the server computer via a different password (a tutor's password), so that, when requested by the user of a tutor's terminal, the processing unit of the server computer will transmit part or all of the date required to create a study program. In this embodiment, the user of a tutor terminal can obtain all or part of the data required for creating a study program and can in fact create whatever type of study program is desired.

Also, if the study program thus created is stored in the server computer, it is possible to use it at any time. Alternatively, the study program can be accessed by a plurality of tutor terminals. Thus, the above system is suitable for a tutor at home to create a study program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the component devices of one embodiment of the learning-assistance system of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the components of the server computer of the learning-assistance system;

Fig. 3 a is a schematic diagram showing a student-user computer system of the learning-assistance system;

Fig. 3 (b) is a block diagram of a student-user computer;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the learning assistance database in the server computer;

Fig. 5 shows an example of the content of a course study plan; Fig. 6 shows a flowchart for creating a course study plan;

Fig. 7 shows a flowchart for creating a course study-progress table;

Fig. 8 shows a flowchart for preparing a group of test questions;

Fig. 9 shows a flowchart for preparing a test-score input form;

Fig. 10 shows a flowchart for preparing supplemental test questions;

Fig. 11 is a table that shows how students are ranked, in terms of test scores, for purposes of assigning supplemental test questions;

Fig. 12 shows a flowchart for creating a course study plan;

Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing the student-user registration system;

Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing the relationship between a student and a course study plan;

Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing delivery of basic information from the server to a student computer terminal;

Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing delivery of study materials from the server computer to a student computer terminal;

Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the basic steps for using the learning- assistance system;

Fig. 18 shows an example of a display screen showing a study program;

Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing the testing process;

Fig. 20 shows an example of a display- screen image showing test results and the means for printing the questions of a supplemental test questions; Fig. 21 shows a display screen showing how to print supplemental test questions;

Fig. 22 shows a display screen showing a tutor's window;

Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing the process of accessing student study programs;

Fig. 24 is a flowchart for delivering supplemental questions to a student's preparation box or review box;

Fig. 25 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the learning- assistance system including a tutor's computer terminal; and

Fig. 26 shows a block diagram of an arrangement of devices to be used in the learning-assistance system embodying the present invention in a LAN.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can be clearly understood as a specific embodiment with reference to the appended drawings.

1. Outline of the System

The learning-assistance system of this embodiment, as shown by Fig. 1, comprises a server 10 that is connected through the Internet to a plurality of student terminals 5.

The server 10 comprises a computer 20, a display device or CRT 25, input devices such as a keyboard 26 and supplemental input devices such as a mouse, touchpad, or the like (not shown), and a storage device for a database 27. As shown by Fig. 2, the computer 20 comprises a CPU 20a, read-only memory (ROM) 20b, random-access memory (RAM) 20c, a hard-disk drive (HDD) 20d, input/output (I/O) ports 20e, and a communications device 20f The CRT 25, the keyboard 26 and mouse or other input device, and the database 27 are connected through the ΪIO ports 20e, and the communications device 20f is connected to the Internet. The computer 20, especially the CPU 20a, functions as a processing unit, and as the storage device for the database 27.

Furthermore, as shown by Fig. 3, the student terminals 5 also are computer systems, each comprising a computer 5 a, a display 5b such as a CRT, a keyboard 5 c, a mouse touchpad or other comparable supplemental input device 5d, and a printer 5e. The computer 5a includes a CPU 15a, ROM 15b, RAM 15c, a hard-disk drive (HDD) 15d, input/output (1 0) ports 15e, and a communications device 15f. The display 5b, the keyboard 5c, the mouse or other supplemental input device 5d, and the printer 5e are interconnected via the 1/0 ports 15e, and the communications device 15f is connected to the Internet via a telecommunications line.

As shown by Fig. 4, the database 27 comprises a study-program table 21 that consists of tables containing the names of study subjects and grade levels, a study-subject-data storage section 22, and a study-plans storage section 23.

In the study-program table are registered the contents of the grade-level table and the study-subjects name table (including the grade level, the name of the class, the name of the subject, and so on). The contents can be altered (added, deleted, or changed) at any time. In the study- subject-data storage section 22 are stored course data, which consist of a list of study units relating to the subject for each grade level, as well as the content, study plans, tests, and other data, including study-progress data, which is data relating to the time schedule for studying said study units. Course data is organized as shown in the example in Fig. 5. It can be prepared by a tutor as an operator of the server 10. Alternatively, the course data can be prepared by a full-time operator under the supervision of a tutor. Also, the course data can have been previously prepared by the owner of the software.

2. Preparing Study Plans

The procedure for preparing a course study plan is shown by Fig. 6. At first, a menu is displayed on the CRT 25, and a screen image for preparing a course study plan is displayed when the study-plan preparation mode is selected. Next, the number of steps of the course is input by operating the keyboard 26

(Step 100). The number of steps is a factor of the number of "layers" or levels of detail of a study unit; such layers can be presented in the form of a "tree" or other form with "branches." In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, three layers — 6 overall units, 16 subunits, and 41 sub-subunits — are provided, and thus the number of steps or levels of detail of study is three. After the number of steps is input, the CPU 20a creates a blank course table, which is shown in Fig. 5 in a completed form, and a format for inputting data into the course table, which is then displayed on the CRT 25 (Step 110). When the columns of the format for inputting is filled by an operator, the CPU 20a causes the data that has been input to be stored in the database 27 as data for a course table (Step 120); that is, the course is registered. By repeating such operations, course tables for each grade level and each subject can be created and registered.

The course table shown in Fig. 5 is an example of a mathematics course for the 1st grade level of junior high school. The number of units, subunits, and sub- subunits contained in the course will vary according to the grade level and the subject. Therefore, the number of columns corresponding thereto can be increased or decreased as necessary. The study-progress data can be created by an instructor or tutor as an operator of the server 10. Alternatively, such data can be created by a full-time operator under the guidance of an instructor. The procedure for preparing a study-progress table is shown by Fig. 7. The operator selects from a menu displayed on the CRT 25 the option for preparing a study-progress table, and then an image for this operation is displayed. Next, the operator selects one of the two forms — either according to the scheduled study date or as a bar graph — for indicating the study schedule by operating the keyboard 26 and/or the mouse (Step 200).

The CPU 20a then displays on the CRT 25 a menu from which the operator can select either the study- starting date or the study-ending date by using, for example, the keyboard 26 (Step 210). After the selection has been made, the selected date is stored in the database 27 as a display date. Thereafter, the CPU 20a displays a menu from which the operator can select the course for which a study schedule is to be established. The CPU 20a displays the selected course on the CRT 25 along with an instruction to the operator to input the dates of the study schedule for each study unit (or subunit or sub-subunit, as shown in Fig. 5). When the date is input, the degree of study progress that corresponds to the selected study unit and the estimated dates of the study period are stored in the database 27 (Step 230).

The foregoing operation of preparing the degree of study progress can be repeated for each course. Questions for each course have been previously prepared by the supplier of the software, but it is also possible for questions to be created by the instructor and then saved in the database 27. The operation for selecting certain questions based on a tag that indicates the subject, grade level, content, and degree of difficulty desired for a question is carried out in the following manner.

As in the above operation, the screen of the CRT 25 displays a menu that enables the operator to create a group of test questions by selecting the test-question-selecting procedure. As shown by Fig. 8, first questions are selected (Step 300). To do this, the operator inputs on the displayed form the subject, grade level, content, and the degree of difficulty desired for questions and then retrieves the questions that meet such conditions. The operator then selects the questions that are desired to constitute a test-question group. At this time, two or more steps of narrowing the conditions is possible. Furthermore, the search can be done a number of times under a variety of retrieval conditions.

After the test questions have been selected (or a command to end the selection process is input), the CPU 20a creates a plurality of files (question files), each including questions, and then creates a file (a test-questions-group file) in which the question files are arranged in a layout suitable to form the basis of a test sheet (Step 310). After forming the layout, it is possible to select a desirable template from a plurality of templates previously prepared. For example, it possible to select a desirable paper size (e.g., A4, "8 x 11.5 ins. (210mm x 297mm)" etc.), the orientation (portrait or landscape) of the paper, the direction (vertical or horizontal) in which the characters should be printed, and the number of columns (one or two), according to the kind of test questions desired to be administered.

Next, the operator selects one or more courses in which the test-question files are to be used, by operating, for example, the keyboard 26 (Step 320). Then, the CPU 20a displays on the CRT 25 a list of the study units of the selected course(s) (see Fig. 5). The display is then ready for the next operation by the operator, such as, for example, using the keyboard 26 to select one or more study units. When a study unit is selected, the test-questions-group files are allocated to the selected study unit and stored in the database 27 (Step 330). One test-questions-group file can be allocated to a plurality of study units.

After preparation of the test questions has been completed as mentioned above, an image for preparing a test-score input form is displayed. As shown by Fig. 9, when the total number of questions has been input by operating the keyboard 26, for example, the CPU 20a creates a test-score input-form column that contains the same a number of spaces as the number of questions (Step 400). The operator then inputs the number of points allotted for each question (Step 410). Next, the operator specifies for each question the type of answer system from among three possible types: a written-response, a multiple-choice, and true-false (Step 420), and determines the method by which the operator will later input the number of points for each answer (Step 430). A manual input form has been set as the default, but, if a multiple-choice system is used, it is possible to use input from an answer-card reading device (not shown) connected to the computer 20 through a RS232C bus.

The test-score input form is complete when the above procedure has been performed. The CPU 20a stores the input or selected information (the total number of questions, the number of points allotted to each question, the answering system, and so on) into the database 27, linking that information to the questions. It is not necessary for the test-questions-group creating procedure (Fig. 8) to be immediately followed by the creation of an answer-input form (Fig. 9). It is possible to create test questions first, and then to create the test-score input form by designating the test questions. A procedure for creating supplemental test questions will be described below. It is rare that the all of the students will receive a passing score on a test that is administered to a number of students, with the result that supplemental test questions that meet a student's learning needs, based on the results of the test (i.e., the student's degree of understanding of the study unit), usually are desirable. In such a case, the menu displayed on the CRT 25 includes an menu option for creating supplemental test questions. As shown by Fig. 10, the operator, by utilizing the keyboard 26 and the like, specifies which previously administered test for which supplemental test questions need to be created. Next, the operator selects the portions of the prior test for which to prepare questions (Step 505) and the inputs the number of test-result ranks (Step 510), which correspond to ranges, to be determined by the operator, of scores on the prior test. The number of ranks determines the number of categories of students for purposes of the supplemental test questions. For example, in case of the previously administered Addition Test A (Question No. 1) shown in Fig. 11, the total number points possible was 25. That total is divided into three ranges or levels, i.e., 0-10 points, 11-20 points and 21-25 points. If the operator wishes to use different supplemental test questions for each level, then the number of ranks is three.

Next, the operator sets the upper and lower limits of the point scores for each rank (Step 520). In the above example, 0 (lower limit)-10 (upper limit), 11 (lower limit)-20 (upper limit) and 21 (lower limit)-25 (upper limit) are input. Next, the operator selects questions that are desired to be used as supplemental test questions (Step 530). This selection is carried out in the same manner as in retrieving questions in the test-question-creation procedure (Step 300). Alternatively, it is possible to create new questions. The operator allocates the selected questions to any one of the ranks as supplemental test questions (Step 540) and assigns the questions to students according to each student's rank. If a further operation for creating other questions for supplemental test questions is necessary, then the process returns to step 505. If no further questions are necessary, the operation is closed. After the above- mentioned operation has been completed, as shown in Fig. 10, and the ranks, and the upper and lower point-score limits for each rank, have been determined, the CPU 20a acts to store the contents of the above information in the database 27 so as to link that information with each question. Thus, the system's components such as courses, study-progress tables, test questions, test-score input forms, supplemental test questions, and so on can be created as has been described.

3. Creation of Study Plans Next is created a study plan for using the system's elements such as the test questions that have been obtained. In such a case, a menu is displayed on the CRT 26, and the operator can select the study-program-creating mode. As shown by Fig. 12, the operator selects the name of a study plan (such as "Fundamentals of Figures"), using a keyboard 26 and the like (Step 600). Next, the operator selects the attributes (e.g., junior high school, first year, mathematics) of the selected study plan from the study-programs table 21 (Step 610), selects the course (study units) and the degree of study progress to be used in the study plan (Step 620), and selects the study materials, tests, and other items to be included in the study plan (Step 630). In the case of this embodiment, the course (study units), the degree of study progress, diagnostic tests of student ability, periodic tests (tests for each study unit), practical-ability tests, process-knowledge tests, texts, and the like are already set, and desirable items to be actually used are selected from the above list. But if a particular course is not selected, then a study plan cannot be created for it because the course is the foundation for all of the items that it encompasses. That is to say, a course is essential. Study plans that are created are stored in the study-plans storage section 23.

4. Operations 4-1 Preparation (1) Registration of User (Student)

In this system, the study contents (study materials) are provided by the server 10 (according to the guidelines decided upon by the owner-operator of the system) through the Internet, so that a procedure for registering users is necessary. An example will be described with reference to Fig. 13. The owner-operator of the system creates a Web site with a home page and so forth that can be accessed via the Internet, thereby allowing visitors to the Web site to read information such as an information about the system, guidelines for admission, and so on. The Web site and the system's administrative center (server 10) are connected through the Internet. When a tutor, a student, or a student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) accesses the Web site by using a computer (one's own, or one that is shared with others, such as other students in a school), he or she can read the information and the guidelines for admission. Also, it is possible to submit an application to participate in the system. The application information is sent from the applicant's computer to the Web site's home page at the managing center (server 10). When an applicant deposits the necessary amount of money into the bank account designated by the owner-operator of the system, information regarding the receipt of the money is sent to the managing center (server 10). After receipt of the money is confirmed, the applicant can make use of the system' s services, including delivery of study materials and other items, from the server 10. (2) Delivery of Study Materials and Related Items

(a) Preparation of the Operations Program

In order to use the study materials and other items of this system, a student needs an exclusive operations program. The operations program, which is stored in the HDD 15d, can be downloaded in the form of a file transfer from the server 10 in response to a request from the student terminal of a registered user.

(b) Downloading the Study Program

The study program (e.g., corresponding to the study program mentioned above), which is stored in the HDD 15d, that is actually to be used for study also is downloaded in the form of a file transfer from the server 10. Many kinds of study programs are stored in the database 27 of the server 10, and a student can select one or more study programs that have contents that meet his or her study needs. As shown schematically by Fig. 14, a student can select a plurality of study programs, or a plurality of students can select the same study program. A study program comprises the following three components: (a) the record of the study-programs table 21, including a study-subjects names table and grade- level table; (b) the course and the degree of study progress stored in the study- subject-data storage section 22; and (c) the questions files, including supplemental test questions, stored in the study-subject-data storage section 22. All of the required items included in the above components should be downloaded. In the system of the present invention, basic information, including the study-subjects name table and grade-level table, is downloaded separately from the course, the degree of study progress, and the study materials, including test questions and the like.

The procedure for downloading the basic information is shown by Fig. 15. When a tutor or a student accesses the server 10 and selects a desirable study program, the computer 20 of the server 10 uploads the basic information included in the study program as an attribute (or a record of the study-programs table 21 used by the record of the study-subject-data storage section 22, with the exception of the study materials, which are uploaded as a file) from the database 27 (Step 700). The computer 5 a of the student terminal 5 receives the uploaded data of the record via the Internet by using a file-transfer protocol (Step 710), and downloads that data into a database in the student terminal 5 (in the HDD 15d in this embodiment) (Step 270).

After the basic information has been delivered as mentioned above, then the contents of the study materials, such as test-question files, are delivered. The delivery of the contents of the study materials usually follows the download of the basic information. Of course, the delivery of the contents of the study materials can be effected at any desired time.

The procedure for downloading the contents of the study materials is shown by Fig. 16. When a tutor or a student accesses the server 10 and selects any desired study-program (if the download of the study materials is done immediately after downloading the basic information, the selection operation mentioned above is not necessary), the computer 20 of the server 10 selects all of the study-material contents that are contained in the selected study program. In more detail, based on a table that contains a one-by-one collation between the question code and the name of the actual question file that is stored in the database 27, the contents of the study materials are extracted from the data stored in the database 27 (Step 500). The contents of the study materials can be compressed in the study-program-data storage section 22.

The computer 5a of the student terminal 5 receives the test question files selected at Step 800 through communications processing via the Internet by a file- transmission protocol (Step 810). The data thus received is then stored in the database of the student terminal 5 (HDD 15d in this embodiment) (Step 820). 4-2 Use of the Learning- Assistance System (1) Outline of use by a tutor or Student To actually use the learning-assistance system, a tutor or a student operates a computer 5a to access the computer program that operates the system.

The basic process is shown by Fig. 17. First, the tutor or student inputs an account number in order to access the learning-assistance system computer program (Step 1000). A plurality of students (a plurality of student in the same class, or brother(s) or sister(s)) can share the same student terminal 5.

After log-in, the user selects one of the study programs to be followed. Fig.

18 presents an example of the screen image that is displayed, which includes the information about the student, the name of the study program, information regarding the study-subject's topics, tests, system tools, a button for switching between courses, and so on.

The information about the student includes the name of the student, and the study-program name indicates the kind of study program.

Also displayed as information items are: the course (study units), the degree of study progress, the diagnostic test of student knowledge, the process-knowledge test, the practical-ability test, and other tests, as well as the text to be studied. The courses are arranged on a vertical axis and the diagnostic test and other items are arranged on a horizontal axis, and the selection buttons are arranged in a matrix manner. When the student clicks on one of the buttons by operating the mouse, for example, the corresponding content is displayed on the screen. For example, when the buttons corresponding to "Addition 1-1-1" and the "Process Test" are clicked on, a test of addition is displayed. The student can then input the answers at the appropriate place on the display and can also get a hard copy by printing. Thus, the student (or the tutor) can select the contents to learn.

In a study program that involves a course over a long period of time, such as for one-half of a year or longer, the entire course or all of its units cannot be displayed on the screen at one time, because the number of units is too large. In the embodiment shown by Fig. 18, "Positive and Negative Numbers," Characters and Formulas," "Functions," and other some items are grouped as a single unit displayed as a tab, and one such complete unit can be selected by using tabs. The manner of selecting tabs can be replaced by scrolling in a horizontal direction.

For purposes of ease of operation, an optional test is prepared in a separate frame, without corresponding to a course (or unit), because it is a type of test that is not allocated to a specific unit of a course (for example, preparatory tests for midterm and final exams). Tools include buttons for opening a preparation box or a review box, or a test of a student's motivation to study.

A study-plan-changing button is provided for a case of a student who is following a study program that uses a plurality of study plans for a single unit. When the student selects a button for a particular subject name, a small window containing optional study plans that can be selected is displayed, and a particular study plan can be selected.

(2) A Specific Example of Operation

(2-1) Tests (diagnostic tests, process-knowledge tests, practical-ability tests) The operating processes regarding tests includes printing test questions, answering a test's questions, inputting the students' test scores, and printing a list of the students' test-related records. As shown by Fig. 19, in processing a test, first the type of test is selected (Step 1100). As shown in Fig. 18, in actual operation the user selects, from the buttons displayed on the study-program image screen, a button linked to a particular test. For example, in case of the periodic test of "1-1-2 Subtraction," the second button in the column "Process Test" is selected. There then opens a small window in which are displayed three buttons, corresponding to: "Print Test Questions," "Input Test-Score Results," and "Print Report Card." Of these buttons, "Input Test-Score Results" and "Print Report Card" are provided for use by a tutor (such as a manager for the subject), and they are not displayed and cannot be utilized unless a tutor's ID has been input.

When the "Print Test Questions" button is selected (Step 1110), there opens another smaller window that displays three alternatives: "Print Questions Only," "Print Questions and Answers Separately" (answers are on a separate page), and "Print Questions with Answers" (each question is immediately followed by its answer). When one of these choices is selected, the test is printed in the form desired. If the "Print Questions and Answers Separately" option is selected, the questions and their answers are printed on the opposite sides of a paper in such a way as to maintain their relationship as pairs, so that this form is suitable for easily checking if the answers of the student are correct or not. The printed test paper is used by the student directly, or is distributed by a tutor to the students who will take the test (Step 1120). However, the method for administering a test is not limited to that mentioned above, and a tutor can determine the optimum method.

When printing a test paper, whether a cover page is printed or not can be decided optionally, and when a cover page is printed, the title of the test, the student's name, and the student's ID code can be printed in the form of a bar cord. If the "Input Test Scores" button is selected (Step 1130), a previously prepared test- score input form is opened and displayed. If the "Print Report Card" button is selected (Step 40), report cards are printed. (2-2) Supplemental test questions

Although the test papers are printed as above, the color of the button corresponding to the selected test is changed (in this embodiment, the colors are darker).

After the scoring of the test has been completed, a new button for printing supplemental test questions regarding the test is created on the study-program image on the screen. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 20, a new button for printing supplemental questions is not yet displayed, because although the process- knowledge tests "1-1-1 Addition", "1-1-2 Subtraction", "1-2-1 Multiplication", and "1-2-2 Division" have been printed, and the supplemental test questions of "1-1-1 Addition" and "1-1-2 Subtraction" have also been printed, the supplemental test questions of "1-2-1 Multiplication" have not yet been printed, and the input of scores for "1-2-2 Division" has not been completed.

On the button for printing the supplementary test questions is shown a round circle with a color that indicates the results of the prior test (the test in the embodiment shown in Fig. 20). In this embodiment, the colors of the circle are set, according to the point scores, as follows: 81-100, blue; 61-80, bluish green; 41-60. yellow; 21-40, orange; and 0-20, red. The colors of the circles can be altered as desired by the owner-operator of the system.

If the button for printing the supplemental test questions created by inputting of the test results is clicked on, a small window is displayed as shown in Fig. 21. In that small window are shown the results (points) and corresponding rank (shown in a dark color) for each unit's (or subunit' s or sub-subunit' s) test, the total points score for the test, and a button to effect printing.

In this embodiment, five ranks, i.e., Rank A (21-25 points), Rank B (16-20 points), Rank C (11-15 points), Rank D (6-10 points) and Rank E (0-5 points) are set in the supplemental-test-questions creating process (see Fig. 10), so that the indication on the screen will be those as shown in Fig. 21. At this stage, if the button for printing is clicked on, the supplemental test questions corresponding to the ranks are printed: Rank C for "Subtraction No. 1"; Rank A for "Subtraction No. 2"; Rank D for "Subtraction No. 3"; and Rank E for "Subtraction No. 4". The relationship between a rank and the contents of the questions can be altered. For example, the rank for the questions for "Subtraction No. 2" can be changed from Rank A to Rank B and then the questions can be printed. Or, for "Subtraction No. 4," the supplemental test questions for Rank E can be printed, and then the supplemental test questions for Rank D can be printed. By raising the rank step by step, the study level will be raised.

In connection with the printing of supplemental test questions, a cover page can also be printed if desired. If a cover page is printed, it can contain a title indicating the name of the supplemental test questions, the name of the student (user), and the ID number of the student — all in the form of a bar cord. (2-3) Window for Tutor

A window for a tutor can be opened only when the user logs in using the ID of a student manager such as a tutor. The panel for a tutor can be as shown in Fig. 22, wherein buttons provided for "Read Study Program," "Deliver to Preparation Box or Review Box," "Calculate Test Results," and "Adjust Student's Study Program" are displayed. By clicking on the desired button, the tutor can conduct operations involved in managing a student's study program, including such operations such as reading the study program of each student (Read Study Program), inserting preparation or review questions into the study program of the selected student(s) (Deliver to Preparation Box or Review Box), calculating a student's test results, recording information about a new student, and selecting and allocating a study program for a new student.

As shown by Fig. 23, when the button for reading the study program is selected, there is displayed an image screen by which records of students can be retrieved. It is possible to retrieve the records of one or more students (students having the same study program, or students in the same class).

Delivery of the materials to the preparation box or review box is a tool for sending, in addition to the test questions contained in the study program of a student, questions for preparation and review based on the student's level of learning and the advice or message for assisting the student in learning. This tool is activated by clicking on the button "Deliver to Preparation Box or Review Box" on the display screen. As shown by Fig. 24, clicking on this button causes the system to retrieve student records and selects items such as questions for preparation or review from the study-program-data storage section 22 using suitable tags (Step 1300). Next, there is displayed an image showing the records that have been retrieved for one or more students (students having the same study program, or students in the same class) (Step 1310). After the student records are retrieved, the material is delivered to the preparation box or review box of each study program (Step 1320). Thereafter, each student accesses his or her own study program and opens the preparation box or review box, and deals with the contents therein (questions for preparation or review) by reading them directly on the computer display or after printing them (Step 1330). With regard to the management of test results, the tutor can read and print the test results of all of the students in a class, and then can use those results for giving guidance to students. The student-guidance information can include basic information regarding a student (such as the name, address, the name of the student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s), the grade level, the names of the school, class, course, and so on), and the study plan. The tutor can revise the information and also can input necessary information for a new student. 4-3 Transmission of the Study Program through the Server As shown by Fig. 25, it is possible to communicate various kinds of information between tutors and schools through the server 10 as a center. Therefore, by installing study-program development software in the computer of a tutor, a study program created by one tutor can be exchanged among tutors or between a school and a tutor. As has been stated above, the learning-assistance system 1 of the present invention makes it possible to transfer at one time the various kinds of information and files associated with a study program, and it creates an environment that allows a student's learning at home to be improved via the Internet.

In the learning-assistance system 1, test questions are created and stored as mentioned above, and it is possible to create test-question groups of varying degrees of difficulty. Also, a study program is created according to the designation of the grade level, subject, study unit(s), degree of study progress, and test-questions group. Therefore, the operator needs only to designate such items as those mentioned above, and it is possible to easily create suitable exercises, problems, or test questions according to the degree of study progress of the student.

Furthermore, the study plan and the test questions requested from a student computer terminal 5 are transmitted from the server 10, so that the user or student using a student computer terminal 5 can study based on the test questions included in the study program that has been designed for him or her. That is, the learning-assistance system 1 makes it possible to meticulously assist each individual student's learning by providing test questions that correspond to the ability and study level of that student. Also, if a student has a computer terminal 5 at home, it is not necessary for the student to go to any specified site such as a school or private cram school. This means that students for whom it is difficult to go to such a site can receive the same level of learning assistance as is received by students who can go to such a site, and a student is therefore able to make more- efficient use of his or her time.

The learning-assistance system 1 also makes it is possible to output test- questions data to a printer at the site of the student computer terminal 5, and the printed materials can be used in various ways. Furthermore, the test-question group of the study unit involved in the study plan that is selected by using the keyboard 26 or other input device is displayed on the screen of the CRT 25 in a manner that allows the user to select a combination of a particular study unit or a particular level of study progress and a particular type of test, and, when the button for the desired combination is selected, the questions of the selected test-questions group are displayed on the CRT 25. Therefore, it is possible to easily select the optimum test- questions group in combination with a particular study unit or particular level of study progress and a particular type of test (diagnostic test, practical-ability test, and the like). That is, the learning-assistance system is suitable for preparing groups of test questions, and therefore it can be used by a student who is studying on his or her own.

The above describes an embodiment wherein transmission of data between the server and a student terminal is conducted via the Internet. However, the learning-assistance system of the present invention also can be operated in a computer network, as shown in Fig. 26. In this case, the server computer 20 is connected to -a plurality of client computers 70 via a LAN system.

Although the above description enables understanding of the present invention with reference to a specific embodiment, the present invention is not limited to that specific embodiment, and the system can be altered in many ways without deviating from the gist of the present invention. For example, the above- described embodiment has been designed for the system to be used for junior high school or high school students, but the learning-assistance system of the present invention can be applied to a full range of ages of students, from little children through senior citizens, without regard to their social status, and it also can be used in educating or training company employees.

Also, the question files and the study materials can be prepared as multimedia-type content that makes use of sounds and animation or other visual effects. In such a case, learning is facilitated by seeing the visual material and hearing the sounds, which might be, for instance, learning guidance or instruction, or examples of pronunciation.

Claims

1. A learning-assistance system comprising a server and a plurality of student terminals that can communicate together through the Internet or other type of computer network, and whereby study-materials data is provided from said server to said student terminals, and characterized such that: said server comprises an input device used for input operation; a processing unit for conducting operations in accordance with a software program; a storage device for storing data; and a display device for displaying text and other images; said storage device of said server comprises an attributes-data storage section for storing basic information, including at least grade-level data and study-subject data; and a study-subject data storage section for storing (1) course data, which is a list, and the contents thereof, of study units relating to said subject for each grade level, (2) study-progress data, which is data regarding the beginning and ending time period over which to study said study unit(s), and (3) questions data, which comprises tags showing a question and its subject, grade level, content, and degree of difficulty; said processing unit of said server executes operations for (1) creating a questions group that can be specified by a tag when one of said tags is designated by using said input device, (2) allocating said questions group to the study unit designated by using said input device and for storing the allocation information in said study-subject-data storage section, (3) creating a study program corresponding to the content for a designated grade level, subject, study unit, degree of study progress, and questions group, (4) storing the study program in said storage unit, and (5 transmitting, in response to a request from a student terminal, a study program and questions group to that student terminal.

2. The learning-assistance system of Claim 1, wherein said student terminal comprises an input device used for input operations, a processing unit for conducting operations according to a software program, a storage device for storing study-related data, and a display device, such as a compute monitor, for displaying text and other screen images, said student-terminal processing unit executes operations for (1) requesting said server to transmit said study plan that has been selected by using said student- terminal input device, (2) storing in said student-terminal storage device the study plan and test-questions group associated with said study plan, (3) displaying on the student computer terminal display device the test-questions group of each study unit contained within the study plan that has been selected by using said student-terminal input device, with said test-questions group being displayed on the student-terminal display device in a form capable of being selected as a combination of the level of study of the study unit and the type of test desired, and (4) displaying the test questions of the test-questions group that has been selected by using said student- terminal input device.

3. The learning-assistance system of Claim 2, wherein said student-terminal processing unit executes an operation to output as print data the questions of the test- questions group that has been selected by using said student-terminal input device.

4. The learning-assistance system of any one of Claims 1 to 3, which includes a tutor's computer terminal that is capable of accessing said server computer by using a tutor's ID, and with said processing unit of said server transmitting all or part of the data required to create a study plan and the data therefor, when such is requested from a tutor terminal.

5. The learning-assistance system of any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said computer network consists of a LAN that can communicate between said server computer and said student computer terminal.