Online classroom system and method for active learning

Abstract

Systems and methods for online classroom instruction are described that facilitate the learning and application of course information in an active and synchronous learning environment. Data obtained from monitoring or testing students is used to guide the learning process by providing student-specific questions in quizzes and exams and for forming and conducting breakout groups. The instructor can monitor the breakout groups using a visual display and can rearrange the groups during class. Students and teachers may view all of the students in class using a scrolling display of the student's video feeds.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of providing an active-learning class having a plurality of sequential lessons taught using a plurality of electronic devices in a computer network, where the plurality of electronic devices includes a first electronic device operated by an instructor, a plurality of second electronic devices each operated by one student of a plurality of students, and one or more servers, said method comprising:
 during the teaching of a lesson of the plurality of sequential lessons attended by a student of the plurality of students, adjusting the lesson based on one or more inputs by the student into one of the plurality of second devices during one or more previously taught lessons.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , where said input is generated from a keyboard, a touchscreen, a mouse or a trackpad of the second computer operated by the first student. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , where said input is generated from a camera of the second computer operated by the first student. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , where said input is generated from a microphone of the second computer operated by the first student. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , where said one or more inputs is an answer to one or more questions of a quiz, poll, or midterm. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , where said one or more inputs is provided during a breakout group or a class discussion. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , where said one or more inputs is provided during a chat with another student or the instructor. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , where said one or more inputs is provided posing one or more questions to class during a lesson. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , where a performance of the student in the class is determined from said one or more inputs, and where said adjusting is based on the performance. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , where a capability of the student is determined from said one or more inputs, and where said adjusting is based on the capability. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , where the capability is a skill that is an analytical skill, a critical thinking skill, a self-management skill, a personal interaction skill, a learning skill, a problem solving skill, or a communication skill. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , where said adjusting the lesson includes selecting one or more questions to present to the student. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , where said one or more inputs is an answer to one or more questions of a quiz, poll, or midterm, and where said adjusting the lesson includes selecting one or more questions to present to the student. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , where the lesson includes a breakout session including a plurality of breakout groups, and were said adjusting the lesson includes assigning each student of the plurality of students to one breakout group of the plurality of breakout groups. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , where a capability of the student is determined from said one or more inputs, and where said assigning is based on the capability. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , where said adjusting the lesson is based on inputs from two or more students of the plurality of students during one or more previously taught lessons, where each student of the two or more students provides input into one second device of the plurality of second devices. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , where the lesson includes a breakout session including a plurality of breakout groups, and were said adjusting the lesson includes assigning each student of the plurality of students to one breakout group of the plurality of breakout groups. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for providing an active-learning class having a plurality of sequential lessons taught using a plurality of electronic devices in a computer network, where the plurality of electronic devices includes a first electronic device operated by an instructor, a plurality of second electronic devices each operated by one student of a plurality of students, and one or more servers, said apparatus comprising:
 one or more processors of at least one electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices programmed to, during the teaching of a lesson of the plurality of sequential lessons attended by a student of the plurality of students, adjust the lesson based on one or more inputs by the student into one of the plurality of second devices during one or more previously taught lessons.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , where said input is generated from a keyboard, a touchscreen, a mouse or a trackpad of the second computer operated by the first student. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , where said input is generated from a camera of the second computer operated by the first student. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , where said input is generated from a microphone of the second computer operated by the first student. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , where said one or more inputs is an answer to one or more questions of a quiz, poll, or midterm. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , where said one or more inputs is provided during a breakout group or a class discussion. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , where said one or more inputs is provided during a chat with another student or the instructor. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , where said one or more inputs is provided posing one or more questions to class during a lesson. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , where a performance of the student in the class is determined from said one or more inputs, and where said adjusting is based on the performance. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , where a capability of the student is determined from said one or more inputs, and where said adjusting is based on the capability. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , where the capability is a skill that is an analytical skill, a critical thinking skill, a self-management skill, a personal interaction skill, a learning skill, a problem solving skill, or a communication skill. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , where said one or more processors are further programmed to adjust the lesson includes selecting one or more questions to present to the student. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , where said one or more inputs is an answer to one or more questions of a quiz, poll, or midterm, and where said adjusting the lesson includes selecting one or more questions to present to the student. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , where the lesson includes a breakout session including a plurality of breakout groups, and were said one or more processors are further programmed to adjust the lesson to assign each student of the plurality of students to one breakout group of the plurality of breakout groups. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , where a capability of the student is determined from said one or more inputs, and where said one or more processors are further programmed to assign based on the capability. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , where said adjusting the lesson is based on inputs from two or more students of the plurality of students during one or more previously taught lessons, where each student of the two or more students provides input into one second device of the plurality of second devices. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , where the lesson includes a breakout session including a plurality of breakout groups, and were said one or more processors are further programmed to adjust the lesson to assign each student of the plurality of students to one breakout group of the plurality of breakout groups.