System and method of virtual schooling

Abstract

A system and methods of virtual schooling, which provide an Internet-based elementary and secondary school that is committed to offering a complete and comprehensive education to all pupils. The curriculum used in the system and methods is Web-deployed and database-driven. Its subjects include, but are not necessarily limited to History/Civics/Geography, Language Arts, Math, Music, Science, and Visual Arts. Preferably, lessons should integrate on-line and off-line instructional materials for a well-rounded learning experience.

1 - 31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . In a virtual school system having a computer network, which includes server means 
 and a plurality of clients each of which is adapted to be connected to the server means over the network, means for operating the server means and the plurality of clients, wherein the operating means supports a browser-based, run-time environment for a virtual school application on the network, graphical user interface means adapted to be displayed on the plurality of clients, and a database connected to the computer network storing a plurality of files with a plurality of different file formats, the improvement comprising: 
 a plurality of browser windows, each of which is adapted to display individual parts of a reading lesson; and  
 a plurality of tiles, each of which is adapted to be used by a user using the system on one of the plurality of clients in conjunction with said plurality of windows, and each of which includes a given part of speech.  
   
   
   
       33 . The improvement according to  claim 32 , wherein each of said plurality of browser windows further comprises: 
 a plurality of text files retrieved from the database, each of which is adapted to teach a given part of said reading lesson to said user; and    a plurality of image files retrieved from the database, each of which is adapted supplement said given part of said reading lesson.    
   
   
       34 . The improvement according to  claim 33 , wherein said plurality of text files further comprises a plurality of hyperlinks, each of which is adapted to, upon its activation, display another one of said plurality of browser windows in order to supplement said given part of said reading lesson.  
   
   
       35 . The improvement according to  claim 33 , further comprising a plurality of audio files retrieved from the database, and a plurality of mixed media files retrieved from the database.  
   
   
       36 . The improvement according to  claim 35 , wherein said plurality of text files further comprises a plurality of hyperlinks, each of which is adapted to, upon its activation: 
 display another one of said plurality of browser windows in order to supplement said given part of said reading lesson;    play one of said plurality of audio files in order to supplement said given part of said reading lesson; or    play one of said plurality of mixed media files in order to supplement said given part of said reading lesson.    
   
   
       37 . The improvement according to  claim 35 , wherein each of said plurality of audio files comprises a single phone.  
   
   
       38 . The improvement according to  claim 35 , wherein each of said plurality of audio files comprises a single phoneme.  
   
   
       39 . The improvement according to  claim 35 , wherein each of said plurality of audio files comprises a single allophone.  
   
   
       40 . The improvement according to  claim 35 , wherein each of said plurality of audio files comprises a single morpheme.  
   
   
       41 . The improvement according to  claim 35 , wherein each of said plurality of audio files comprises a sound selected from the group consisting of a single phone, a single phoneme, a single allophone, and a single morpheme.  
   
   
       42 . The improvement according to  claim 33 , wherein each of said plurality of image files comprises a static image.  
   
   
       43 . The improvement according to  claim 33 , wherein each of said plurality of image files comprises a dynamic image.  
   
   
       44 . The improvement according to  claim 33 , wherein each of said plurality of image files is selected from the group consisting of static images and dynamic images.  
   
   
       45 . The improvement according to  claim 33 , wherein each of said plurality of image files has associated therewith a respective one of a plurality of audio files.  
   
   
       46 . The improvement according to  claim 45 , wherein each of said plurality of audio files comprises a sound selected from the group consisting of a single phone, a single phoneme, a single allophone, and a single morpheme.  
   
   
       47 . The improvement according to  claim 46 , wherein each of said plurality of tiles comprises a textual representation of said sound.  
   
   
       48 . A method of interactively teaching a pupil to read using a computer system with a display and a database, comprising the steps of: 
 storing within the database a plurality of browser windows, each of which is adapted to display individual parts of a reading lesson, a plurality of text files, each of which is adapted to teach a given part of said reading lesson to the pupil, and a plurality of image files retrieved from the database, each of which is adapted to supplement said given part of said reading lesson;    operating the computer system to render said plurality of browser windows on the display; and    providing a plurality of tiles, each of which includes a given part of human speech and is adapted to be used by the pupil using the computer system to further supplement said given part of said reading lesson.    
   
   
       49 . The method according to  claim 48 , further comprising the step of directing the pupil to use said plurality of tiles online.  
   
   
       50 . The method according to  claim 48 , further comprising the step of directing the pupil to use said plurality of tiles offline.  
   
   
       51 . The method according to  claim 48 , further comprising the step of directing the pupil to use said plurality of tiles online and offline.  
   
   
       52 . The method according to  claim 48 , further comprising the steps of: 
 storing within the database a plurality of audio files, each of which comprises said given part of human speech;    providing a plurality of hyperlinks in each of said plurality of browser windows;    adapting each of said plurality of hyperlinks, upon its activation by the pupil, to: 
 display another one of said plurality of browser windows in order supplement said given part of said reading lesson;  
 play one of said plurality of audio files in order to supplement said given part of said reading lesson; or  
 play one of said plurality of mixed media files in order to supplement said given part of said reading lesson.  
   
   
   
       53 . The method according to  claim 52 , further comprising the step of selecting a single phone, a single phoneme, a single allophone, and a single morpheme, or collection thereof to be stored as said given part of human speech.  
   
   
       54 . The method according to  claim 53 , further comprising the step of interactively associating the pupil's use of said plurality of tiles during said reading lesson with a playing of said plurality of audio files.  
   
   
       55 - 86 . (canceled)