Systems and methods to assist an instructor of a course

Abstract

A system and method to assist an instructor in managing, understanding, and drawing conclusions about the learning behavior. The system includes methods for processing data collected about users as they interact with the various modalities of learning that may be integrated into the course, and rendering this information into visualizations that are displayed on an instructor dashboard and updated in real time. This instructor interface includes a plurality of modules targeted towards the management of and interaction with users, and the analysis and visualization of a different aspect of their learning

1 . A method for adjusting an in-process module delivery sequence of an online course directed to a learner based on student usage of modules in the sequence, said online course formed as a collection of modules, said delivery using a web server in communication with a content repository and including interfaces to student-controlled processing workstations comprising the steps of:
 capturing location and time stamp data regarding a learner's clicks and mouse movements;   analyzing said data for determining duration of use of each module of said course and assessing learner performance based on performance metrics embedded in said course;   fitting a motif to said data;   providing a visual display of said durations and performance;   presenting a graphical display of recommended adjustments of delivery of subsequent modules to said learner based on said fit motif and differences from said fit motif; and   adjusting the module delivery directed to said learner.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said visual display includes at least one histogram and at least one set of recommendations showing potential improvement for adjustments in course delivery to at least one learner. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said visual display includes at least one scatter plot and a set of recommendations showing potential improvement for adjustments in course delivery to at least one learner. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said analysis includes learner assessment. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said motif is determined at least in part based on data collected regarding other learners in the same course. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said motif is determined at least in part based on data collected regarding the same learner in other courses. 
     
     
         7 . A method for an instructor to individualize content directed to a learner in an ongoing online course, said online course formed as a collection of modules, to a learner using a web server and including interfaces to learner-controlled processing workstations, comprising the steps of:
 capturing location and time stamp data regarding a learner's clicks and mouse movements;   determining the duration of use of modules of said course and assessing learner performance based on performance metrics embedded in said course;   providing a visual display of said durations and performance;   fitting a motif to said data;   recommending to an instructor adjustments to delivery of subsequent modules to said learner based on said motif and differences from said motif; and   recommending to an instructor introduction of or modification to existing course modules.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said visual display includes at least one histogram and a set of recommendations showing potential improvement for adjustments in course delivery to at least one user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said visual display includes at least one scatter plot and a set of recommendations showing potential improvement for adjustments in course delivery to at least one user. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said data includes results of user assessment. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said motif is determined at least in part based on data collected regarding other learners in the same course. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said motif is determined at least in part based on data collected regarding the same learner in other courses. 
     
     
         13 . A method for improving module-based course delivery using a web server including interfaces to learner-controlled processing workstations comprising the steps of:
 capturing time stamp and location data of a learner's clicks and mouse movements ;   analyzing said data for determining duration of use of modules of said course;   assessing student performance based on performance metrics embedded in said course;   providing a visual display of said durations and performance;   fitting a motif to said data;   recommending adjustments to delivery of subsequent modules to said learner based on said motif and differences from said motif; and   recommending creation of or modification to existing course content.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said visual display includes at least one histogram and a set of recommendations showing potential improvement for adjustments in course delivery to at least one user. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said visual display includes at least one scatter plot and a set of recommendations showing potential improvement for adjustments in course delivery to at least one user. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said data includes results of user assessment. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said motif is determined at least in part based on data collected regarding other learners in the same course. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said motif is determined at least in part based on data collected regarding the same learner in other courses.