Interactive education system

Abstract

An interactive educational system simultaneously provides educational materials to multiple users. The educational system tests and records each user's demonstrated comprehension of the materials provided. The server-based system can provide materials that are data, video data, or audio data. The user may input video, audio or other data. Each user can randomly access the precise location of the educational materials or portion thereof to be presented to the user.

1 . An interactive educational system for providing educational materials to a plurality of users randomly and simultaneously, the system comprising: 
 a server, the server including a storage, the storage comprising a program memory and a content media storage for storing the education material, the storage further comprising a user database, a test database and a usage database for tracking for an individual user's progress, wherein the test database contains data useful for forming a test for use in assessing the user's retention; and    a plurality of bidirectional communications channels, wherein the system is configured so that in operation, the plurality of users can randomly and simultaneously interact with the server to access the educational materials stored in the server's storage so that each users can proceed through the appropriate educational material according to the user's ability.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server storage further comprises a usage database, the usage database configured to store information about an individual user's access and use of the educational materials and test results.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the user is unable to proceed with additional education material until the user passes a test based on previously reviewed education material, the test formed from the data in the test database.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a console, the console providing interaction between the system and an administrator, wherein the interaction includes capture of content to be stored in the storage.  
   
   
       5 . A interactive educational system for providing educational materials to multiple users randomly and simultaneously, the system comprising: 
 a server, the server including a storage and an audio video I/O;    a console connected to the server, the console allowing an administrator to interact with the system, wherein the interaction includes the capture of content to be stored on the storage;    a plurality of terminals for multiple users to receive the educational materials wherein at least one of the terminals comprises: 
 a user interface for upstream control; and  
 a video channel for downstream presentation of the education materials; and  
   a plurality of bi-directional communication channels wherein the multiple users interact in a random and simultaneous manner with the server via the user interface and the server communicates with the plurality of terminals in a manner responsive to the users' input in the user interface, wherein at least one of the communication channels includes a video channel in the downstream direction.    
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the administrator can remotely interact with the system via a network connection.  
   
   
       7 . An interactive educational system for providing educational materials to a plurality of users randomly and simultaneously, the system comprising: 
 a server, the server comprising storage, the storage comprising a program memory, a user database, a test database and a usage database, the server further comprising an input/output;    at least two terminals for multiple users to receive the education materials, wherein the at least two terminals include a user interface for upstream control and a channel for downstream presentation of the educational materials a plurality of bi-directional communication channels, whereby the server communicates with the at least two terminals so as to provide the user at each terminal random simultaneous access to the education material via the downstream channel in response to the user's input on the user interface.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a console connected to the server, the console allowing an administrator to interact with the system, wherein the interaction includes the capture of content to be stored on the storage  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the connection between the console and the server is via a network connection.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the network connection is an internet connection and the console is remotely located from the server.