Teaching method and system Number:7,152,034 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent A method and system provides procedures/routines to teach certain repertoires, such as reading, to learners without a teacher present. The various routines can be provided or implemented via a computer network, such as the Internet, so that multiple learners can access and use the routines. Feedback features take into account that the Internet is a medium where it is difficult to directly monitor the learner's activities during the course of various lessons provided by the routines. The routines may be implemented in a sequence of episodes, with each episode systematically building on the particular skills learned in a prior episode. Some of these routines include establishing routines, adduction routines, potentiating routines, composite routines, sequential composite routines, fluency routines, motivation routines, application routines, and the overall sequencing of these routines.<H Teaching, system, Teaching, method, 7152034.html, Patent, pto, 7152034

Title: Teaching method and system

Abstract: A method and system provides procedures/routines to teach certain repertoires, such as reading, to learners without a teacher present. The various routines can be provided or implemented via a computer network, such as the Internet, so that multiple learners can access and use the routines. Feedback features take into account that the Internet is a medium where it is difficult to directly monitor the learner's activities during the course of various lessons provided by the routines. The routines may be implemented in a sequence of episodes, with each episode systematically building on the particular skills learned in a prior episode. Some of these routines include establishing routines, adduction routines, potentiating routines, composite routines, sequential composite routines, fluency routines, motivation routines, application routines, and the overall sequencing of these routines.

Patent Number: 7,152,034 Issued on 12/19/2006 to Layng, et al.

Inventors: Layng; Terrence V. (Seattle, WA), Johnson; Kent R. (Seattle, WA), Iwyman; Janet S. (Rego Park, NY), Ford; Victoria (Seattle, WA), Layng; Michael P. (Seattle, WA), Gilbert; Marilyn R. (Bainbridge Island, WA), Stikeleather; Gregory (Palo Alto, CA)
Assignee: Headsprout, Inc. (Seattle, WA)

Appl. No.: 10/323,964

Filed: December 18, 2002

Related U.S. Patent Documents


Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
09775352	Feb., 2003	6523007

Current U.S. Class: 704/270 ; 434/178; 434/185

Current International Class: G09B 17/00 (20060101); G09B 19/04 (20060101)

Field of Search: 704/231,251,270,271,275,276 434/185,156,178,353,362

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Primary Examiner: Lerner; Martin
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fenwick & West LLP

Parent Case Text

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/775,352 filed on Jan. 31, 2001, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,007, entitled "Teaching Method and System," on Feb. 18, 2003.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an establishing module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components, comprising a prompt to discriminate between absence and presence of an auditory representation of the component; an adduction module configured to combine previously-learned components into new component sets, substantially without teaching the user these new component sets independently; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

2. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an establishing module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components, comprising a prompt to discriminate between an auditory representation of the component and an auditory representation of a juxtaposition of similar components; an adduction module configured to combine previously-learned components into new component sets, substantially without teaching the user these new component sets independently; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

3. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an establishing module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components, comprising a prompt to identify presence of an auditory representation of a different components; an adduction module configured to combine previously-learned components into new component sets, substantially without teaching the user these new component sets independently; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

4. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an establishing module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components, comprising: a prompt to pair a visual representation of the component with an auditory representation of the component; a prompt to discriminate between absence and presence of the auditory representation of the component; a prompt to discriminate between the auditory representation of the component and an auditory representation of a juxtaposition of similar components; and a prompt to identify presence of an auditory representation of a different component; and an adduction module configured to combine previously-learned components into new component sets, substantially without teaching the user these new component sets independently; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

5. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an establishing module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components, comprising a prompt to discriminate between absence and presence of an auditory representation of the components; a composite module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components and from their combinations; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

6. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an establishing module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components, comprising a prompt to discriminate between an auditory representation of the component and an auditory representation of a juxtaposition of similar components; a composite module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components and from their combinations; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

7. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an establishing module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components, comprising a prompt to identify presence of an auditory representation of a different components; a composite module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components and from their combinations; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

8. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an establishing module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components, comprising: a prompt to pair a visual representation of the component with an auditory representation of the component; a prompt to discriminate between absence and presence of the auditory representation of the component; a prompt to discriminate between the auditory representation of the component and an auditory representation of a juxtaposition of similar components; and a prompt to identify presence of an auditory representation of a different component; and a composite module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components and from their combinations; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

9. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an establishing module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components; a composite module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components and from their combinations, comprising a prompt to join a first learned component with a second learned component and to speak a sound representative of the joined components; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

10. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an establishing module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components; a composite module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components and from their combinations, comprising a prompt to separate joined components into a first learned component and a second learned component; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

11. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an establishing module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components; a composite module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components and from their combinations, comprising: a prompt to identify a first learned component; a prompt to identify a second learned component; a prompt to join the first learned component with the second learned component and to speak a sound representative of the joined components; a prompt to identify the first learned component and the second learned component in the joined component; and a prompt to separate the first learned component from the second learned component; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

12. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an adduction module configured to combine previously-learned components into new component sets, substantially without teaching the user these new component sets independently; a composite module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components and from their combinations, comprising a prompt to join a first learned component with a second learned component and to speak a sound representative of the joined components; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

13. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an adduction module configured to combine previously-learned components into new component sets, substantially without teaching the user these new component sets independently; a composite module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components and from their combinations, comprising a prompt to separate joined components into a first learned component and a second learned component; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

14. A computer-implemented system for teaching a user, comprising: an adduction module configured to combine previously-learned components into new component sets, substantially without teaching the user these new component sets independently; a composite module configured to teach the user identification of a component and discrimination of that component from other components and from their combinations, comprising: a prompt to identify a first learned component; a prompt to identify a second learned component; a prompt to join the first learned component with the second learned component and to speak a sound representative of the joined components; a prompt to identify the first learned component and the second learned component in the joined component; and a prompt to separate the first learned component from the second learned component; and a fluency module configured to provide practice exercises to the user in order to aid the user in retaining and applying what he has learned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to educational techniques, and in particular but not exclusively, relates to computer-assisted teaching methods and systems that teach repertoires based upon psychomotor, simple, and complex cognitive learning (hereafter referred to as "skills"), such as reading, to children, youth, and adults.

2. Background Information

Reading, math, and reasoning are among the fundamental skills required in the information age. For example, to navigate the digital world, one must be able to read, and those who do not read well risk not benefiting or advancing in society. Therefore, providing high-quality instruction to all children is a priority, but is often difficult or time-consuming to accomplish practically and efficiently.

Again, using reading as an example, traditional classroom instruction, under the direction of an instructor, typically takes weeks and months to teach children how to read. These traditional methods require the teacher to interact extensively with the child, in order to give the child feedback on what to read, to indicate whether words are being spoken correctly or incorrectly, to keep the child motivated to keep reading, etc. Thus, it is the teacher, rather than the child, who does the listening, evaluating, and correcting. These are among the many reasons why traditional teaching methods are inefficient, time-consuming, and cumbersome.

Other reasons why these traditional teaching methods are not fully effective for individuals (both children and adults) include problems due to retention and problems due to movement of the instruction to later subject matter before the individual has fully mastered previous subject matter. Most individuals learn at different paces, but classroom instructions are typically conducted at a single pace. The relation between the responses that a learner makes during learning and the feedback that the learner receives is very inexact in group instruction. Children who are slower learners must keep up with the group or risk falling behind in the learning process. Conversely, children who learn faster than the pace of the classroom instruction risk getting bored or disinterested.

Some "on-line" courses or instructional modules (e.g., videotapes, audio tapes, software packages, etc.) are available outside of a traditional classroom setting to teach individuals certain subjects. These non-traditional techniques are typically used to supplement traditional classroom instruction and/or to provide instruction where traditional classroom instruction may not otherwise be available or practical.

However, many of these courses or modules assume certain fundamental learning skills, such as reading, and involve an instructor who reviews assignments and gives feedback. In some cases, feedback is not even available. This is not a practical solution where there are millions of learners. Furthermore, many of these courses or modules have a cumbersome interface, require computer disks or special equipment, all of which can be unsuitable or difficult to use with young children. Because of these limitations, it has been debated whether such non-traditional teaching methods actually teach fundamental skills more efficiently or effectively than (or at the same level as) a traditional classroom.

Another problem with both traditional classroom instruction and on-line courses is the lack of practice opportunities to master a given repertoire. This is due in part because traditional classroom instruction and on-line courses are tailored towards a group or towards a uniform teaching style, rather than being tailored and specific to the needs and progress of a particular individual. It simply is not efficient or cost effective for these teaching methods to deviate from the norm/pace and provide practice opportunities that are specifically suited for a particular individual; an on-line course module is mass-produced for a general population and would be too expensive to manufacture to include individually customized practice routines; and traditional classroom instruction does not have the time during a school year to provide sufficient customized in-class practice for each individual and instead depends on the individual to practice, if at all, via "homework."

Accordingly, improvements are needed in teaching techniques.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system that can implement an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2 4 are flowcharts depicting an embodiment of an establishing routine for a teaching method that can be implemented using the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of a blending and segmenting routine for a teaching method that can be implemented using the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6 9 are flowcharts depicting an embodiment of an adduction routine for a teaching method that can be implemented using the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 10 11 are flowcharts depicting an embodiment of a fluency routine for a teaching method that can be implemented using the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of a fluency progress algorithm that can be used in conjunction with the fluency routine of FIGS. 10 11.

FIGS. 13 14 are flowcharts depicting an embodiment of a correction subroutine that can be used in conjunction with the fluency routine of FIGS. 10 11.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of a celeration algorithm that can be used in conjunction with the fluency routine of FIGS. 10 11.

FIGS. 16 17 are flowcharts depicting an embodiment of a blending and segmenting routine for a teaching method that can be implemented using the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 18 21 are flowcharts depicting another embodiment of a blending and segmenting routine for a teaching method that can be implemented using the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 22 24 are flowcharts depicting an embodiment of a potentiating routine for a teaching method that can be implemented using the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 25 27 are flowcharts depicting an embodiment of a sentence reading routine for a teaching method that can be implemented using the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 28 29 are flowcharts depicting an embodiment of a blending and segmenting routine for a teaching method that can be implemented using the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 30 32 are flowcharts depicting an embodiment of a story reading routine for a teaching method that can be implemented using the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 33 34 are flowcharts depicting an embodiment of a blending and segmenting routine for a teaching method that can be implemented using the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of a method and system to teach certain skills, such as reading, to people of all ages are described herein. In the following description, some specific details are provided so as to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

As an overview, embodiments of the invention include procedures/routines to teach certain repertoires to learners without a teacher present. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the various procedures/routines can be provided or implemented via a computer network, such as the Internet, so that multiple learners can access and use the repertoires. Additionally, embodiments of the invention include certain features that take into account that the Internet is a medium where it is difficult, if not impossible, to directly monitor the learner's activities during the course of the various lessons.

An aspect of the invention provides a system to teach a repertoire. The system includes an establishing module having a routine to teach identification of a component to a user, and discrimination of the component from other components. A composite module has a routine to teach identification of the component embedded in other components, and how they work in combination, to the user. An adduction module has a routine to recruit elements of previously learned skills into new skill sets, obviating the need to build these new elements independently. The system also includes a fluency module having a routine to provide the user sufficient practice to retain results acquired from the establishing, composite, and adduction modules. The modules are capable of being provided to the user via the Internet.

For illustrative purposes and for simplicity of explanation, embodiments of the invention as they may be applied to teach the skill of reading will be described herein, and it is understood that the principles of these embodiments can be extended and applied to teach other types of skills. Furthermore, embodiments are described herein in the context of teaching the skills to children, such as those between 4 and 6 years of age. It is to be appreciated that the teaching procedures of the various embodiments can be applied to or modified to teach the skills to children of other ages, adolescents/youth, and adults. Therefore, the invention is not necessarily limited based on the age of the individual.

Various embodiments of routines of the teaching method are illustrated by way of flowchart in the figures. For simplicity of explanation, only parts of the flowcharts that are of particular interest will be explained in detail below. Further details of operation of the routine/algorithm of the flowcharts (or details of some of the illustrated components of the flowcharts) will be familiar to those skilled in the art based on what is shown in the flowcharts and based on the description provided herein, and so are not described in great detail below for the sake of brevity. Also for simplicity of explanation, initial episodes and routines/flowcharts are described in detail to help obtain an initial understanding of an embodiment of the invention. Subsequently, episodes and routines/flowcharts may be described in less detail because they build upon prior explanations.

Furthermore, for illustrative purposes and for simplicity of explanation, some embodiments are described herein in the context of "displaying" certain elements to the user. It is to be appreciated that the invention is not necessarily limited to "displaying" and other embodiments can include implementations where such elements are presented using other techniques, such as audio, audiovisual, kinesthetic, or other types of presentation.

Referring first to FIG. 1, shown generally at 10 is an example of a system that can implement an embodiment of the invention. The system 10 can include a network 12, such as the Internet, but other types of communication networks may be utilized as well. For example, the network 12 can comprise a local area network (LAN), virtual local area network (VLAN), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, or other network or portion of a network.

The system 10 includes one or more servers 14 communicatively coupled to one or more terminals 16 via one or more links 18. The server 14 can run web server software to provide a web site having hypertext markup language (HTML), extensible markup language (XML), extensible style language (XSL), etc. web pages to the terminals 16, using a protocol such as hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), file transfer protocol (FTP), or other suitable protocol. In one embodiment, the server 14 can provide web pages to the teal 16 having various screen displays, icons, text, graphics, etc. to assist in teaching a user of the terminal 16 (e.g., a "learner" such as a child) how to read, or engage in another fundamental intellectual skill.

The terminals 16 can comprise personal computers (PCs) to access the server 14. The terminals 16 each have a display screen 20 that allows users to view information sent to and from the server 14, using a suitable commercially available web browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer.TM. or Netscape's Navigator.TM.. The terminal 16 can include an input/output unit 22, such as a keyboard and mouse. The input/output unit 22 may also include or be coupled to an audio device, such as a speaker, to allow audible feedback to be provided to the user during the course of teaching. The terminal 16 may also include a processor 24, and a storage unit 26, which can be any type of machine-readable storage medium such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), compact disks (CDs), digital versatile disks (DVDs), hard disk, magnetic tape, floppy disks, caches, etc.

The server 14 can include one or more processor units 30 to perform the various methods, processes, algorithms, etc. described herein. The processor unit 30 can be communicatively coupled to one or more database units 32 or other machine-readable medium, in a manner such that information in the database unit 32 is accessible by the processor unit 30. The server 14 can also include other storage unit(s) 36 to provide the server 14 with additional storage capacity. According to an embodiment of the invention, the storage unit 36 and/or the database unit 32 may store files, algorithm software, user data collected during the course of a lesson, or other machine-readable instructions usable for the various embodiments described herein. The server 14 may further include a communication unit 34 to provide communication hardware, software, protocols, and other features and functions for communication between the server 14 and the terminal 16 (or between the server 14 and other units connected to the network 12).

The units 30 36 can be communicatively coupled to each other, as shown symbolically by a link 38, thereby allowing communication/linking and data exchange between these units. One or more of the units 30 36 can be located on the server 14 or they can be located elsewhere in the network 12.

Further, while only one processor unit 30, database unit 32, and storage unit 36 are shown in FIG. 1, it is understood that there can be any number of these units. Also, it is possible to combine one or more of these units into a single unit. The storage unit 36 and database unit 32 can comprise any type of suitable machine-readable storage media (e.g., ROM, RAM, CDs, DVDs, magnetic tape, floppy disks, etc.) having database hardware configurations and associated data structures, or they can comprise, more or less, machine-readable storage media that can store and organize information other than in a "database-type" format. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention are not limited by the specific number, types, or arrangement of the units 30 36.

The system 10 can include additional servers 40 42 coupled to the server 14. The server 14 can be further communicatively connected to other terminals (e.g., clients) 44, thereby allowing an embodiment of the teaching method to be provided to the other terminals 44 or to the other servers 40 42, in a manner such that the teaching method can be accessed and used by multiple users.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of episodes in a sequence are stored in the server 14 and provided to the terminal 16. The episodes can be presented to a child via the display screen 20, in the form of graphics, cartoons, animation, or other type of visual element that is suitable for a child. Streaming technology can be used in one embodiment to provide the visual elements. Accompanying audio, in the form of .wav files in an embodiment, can be played on the input/output unit 22 to provide the child with audible prompts, feedback, etc. with regards to interaction with the episodes. The input/output unit 22, if in the form of a mouse, can also allow the child to "click" on various visual elements of the episodes during the course of the teaching lesson(s).

Outlined below is an example of an episode sequence to teach reading. For the sake of simplicity of explanation, the embodiment shown in the outline shows 25 episodes, and it is understood that any suitable number of episodes can be included in an episode sequence according to various embodiments. The episodes together can form one or more stories or animated presentations (e.g., "space world" or "dino world"). Each of the outlined episodes is broken down and identified into numbered parts (e.g., 1, 2, 3, . . . ), with each part teaching a particular sound (e.g., a "component"), a combination of components (e.g., a "composite"), sentence(s), or other skill elements. Where appropriate for each episode part, various skills or strategies are identified by segment letters (e.g., A, B, D, etc.), which can be embodied in algorithms/routines (or subroutines) that will be explained in further detail below. The various lettered routines in the episodes (as well as the episodes themselves) are sequenced, mixed, and/or interlocked to systematically achieve different levels of learning and progress. The routines and episodes may be embodied in software, modules, or other machine-readable instruction stored in a storage unit of the server 14. Examples of these routines referenced by the letters include, but are not limited to, establishing routines, adduction routines, potentiating routines, composite routines such as blending and segmenting routines, sequential composite routines such as sentence and story routines, fluency routines, motivation routines, application routines, and the overall sequencing of these routines, which are illustrated in one embodiment by the following episode sequence:

Episode 1: space world

1. s (skills: A, B) 1. s (skill: D) 2. ee (skills: A, B) 3. s, ee (skill: F) 4. ee (skill: P) Episode 2 space world 1. v (skills: A, B) 1. v (skill: D) 2. an (skills: A, B) 2. an (skill: D) 3. v, an (skill: F) 4. n(an) (skill: E) 5. an, n (skill: F) 6.s, ee, v, an, n (skill: G) Episode 3 space world 1. s, ee (strategy: Je) 2. vee, van, see, san (strategy: Ka) 3. see (strategy: Pm) 3. (4.) san (strategy: P) 3. (5.) van (strategy: P) 3. (6.) vee (strategy: P) 7. v, an, n (strategy: Je) Episode 4 space world 1. see (strategy: Ke) 2. san (strategy: Ke) 3. see, san (skill: F.sub.2) 4. van (strategy: Ke) 5. vee (strategy: Ke) 6. van, vee (skill: F.sub.2) 7. see, san, van, vee (skill: F) 8. word reading Episode 5 space world 1. the (skills: A, B) 1. the (skill: D) 2. see, van, vee, san, the (skill: G) 3. sentence sequencing 4. y/n sentence fluency 5. story reading Episode 6 dino world 1. cl (skills: A, B) 1. cl (skill: D) 2. cl, c, l (skill: E) 2. cl, c, l (skill: F) 2. cl, c, l (skill: G) 3. s, ee, an, c, cl, v, l, n, the (skill: H) 4. non-fluent elements (skill: G) Episode 7 dino world 1. cl, c, l (strategy: Je) 2. can, lee, san, vee (strategy: Kf) 3. can (strategy: P) 4. lee (strategy: P) 4. Lee (Cap) 5. can (strategy: Ke) 6. Lee (strategy: Ke) 7. can, Lee (skill: F.sub.2) 8. can, Lee, san, vee (skill: Hw) Episode 8 dino world 1. fr (skills: A, B) 1. fr (skill: D) 2. fr, f, r (skill: E) 2. fr, f, r, (skill: F) 2. fr, f, r, (skill: G) 3. fl, cr, sl, sn (strategy: 1) 4. fl, cr, sl, sn (skill: G) Episode 9 dino world 1. fl, cr, sl, sn, f, r, fr (strategy: Je) 2. feels (strategy: Ke) 3. fran (strategy: Ke) 4. Fran (skill: Cap) 5. feels, Fran (skill: F.sub.2) 6. fan (strategy: Ke) 7. ran (strategy: Ke) 8. fan, ran (skill: F.sub.2) 9. Fran, feels, ran, fan (skill: F) 10. Fran, feels, ran, fan (skill: Hw) Episode 10 dino world 1. Fran, feels, the, fan (skill: G) 2. can, sees, flee, reel (skill: Hw) 3. Fran sees Lee . . . et al. (strategy: W) 4. story, words from Episodes 1 10 (strategy: Q) Episode 11 dino world 1. non-fluent elements (skill:Gr) 2. and (skills: A, B) 3. l (skills: A, B) 4. and, l (skill: F) 5. out (skills: A, B) 6. and, l, out (skill: F) 6. and, l, out (skill: G) 7. Fran ran out . . . et al. (strategy: W) Episode 12 sea world 1. ip (skills: A, B) 1. ip (skill: D) 2. p(ip) (skill: E) 3. ip, p (skill: F) 3. ip, p (skill: G) 4. pl, pr, sp (skill: l) 4. pl, pr, sp (skill: G) Episode 13 sea world 1. p, ip, pl, pr, sp (strategy: Je) 2. flips, sleeps, sand, pip (strategy: Kavw) 3. flips (strategy: Ke) 4. sand (strategy: Ke) 5. flips, sand (skill: F.sub.2) 6. sleeps (strategy: Ke) 7. Pip (skill: Cap) 7. Pip (strategy: Ke) 8. sleeps, Pip (skill: F.sub.2) 9. sleeps, Pip, flips, sand (skill: F) 9. sleeps, Pip, flips, sand (skill: Hw) Episode 14 sea world 1. Clee, plan, reef, feel (strategy: Kavw) 2. Clee (strategy: Ke) 3. plan (strategy: Ke) 4. Clee (skill: Cap) 5. Clee, plan (skill: F.sub.2) 6. reef (strategy: Ke) 7. feel (strategy: Ke) 8. reef, feel (skill: F.sub.2) 9. Clee, plan, reef, feel (skill: F) 9. Clee, plan, reef, feel (skill: Hw) 9. Clee, plan, reef, feel (skill: G) Episode 15 sea world 1. non-fluent elements (skill: G) 2. slips, land, peel, free (strategy: Ks) 3. slips, land, peel, free (skill: Hw) 4. Lee and Fran slip . . . et al. (strategy: W) 5. story, with words from Episodes 1 15 (strategy: Q) Episode 16 sea world 1. ish (skills: A, B) 1. ish (skill: D) 2. sh(ish) (skill: E) 3. sh, ish (skill: F) 3. sh, ish (skill: G) Episode 17 sea world 1. ish, sh (strategy: Je) 2. shouts, fish, sheep, ship (strategy: Kavws) 3. shouts (strategy: Ke) 4. fish (strategy: Ke) 5. shouts, fish (skill: F.sub.2) 6. sheep (strategy: Ke) 7. ship (strategy: Ke) 8. sheep, plan (skill: F.sub.2) 9. shouts, fish, sheep, ship (skill: F) 9. shouts, fish, sheep, ship (skill: Hw) Episode 18 sea world 1. non-fluent elements (skill: G) 2. (skill: Hw) 3. Lee shouts . . . et al. (strategy: W) 4. story with words from Episodes 1 18 (strategy: Q) Episode 19 1. old (skill: B). 2. is (skill: B) 3. old, is (skill: F.sub.2) 4. h (skill: B) 4. h (skill: F.sub.2) 5. old, is, h (skill: G) 6. old, h (strategy: Je) 6. old, h (strategy: Kf) 7. old, is, h (strategy: W=2 sentences) Episode 20 1. w (skill: B) 2. sw (skill: E) 3. ing (skill: B) 4. w, sw, ing (skill: F.sub.2) 4. w, sw, ing (skill: G) 5. w, sw, ing (strategy: Je) 5. w, sw, ing (strategy: Kf) 6. w, sw, ing (strategy: Q=3 sentences) Episode 21 1. nonfluent elements (skill: G) 2. t (skill: B) 3. tr, st (skill: l) 4. t, tr, st (skill: F.sub.2) 4. t, tr, st (skill: G) 5. t, tr, st (strategy: Je) 5. t, tr, st (strategy: Kf) 6. (strategy: W=2 sentences) Episode 22 1. could (skill: B)

2. would, should (skill: 1) 3. could, would, should (skill: F.sub.2) 3. could, would, should (skill: G) 4. (strategy: Q=5 sentences) Episode 23 1. ike (skill: B) 2. ake (skill: E) 3. ike, ake (skill: F.sub.2) 3. ike, ake (skill: G) 4. ike, ake (strategy: Je) 4. ike, ake (strategy: Kf) 5. (strategy: W=3 sentences) Episode 24 1. nonfluent elements (skill: G) 2. b (skill: B) 3. bl, br (skill: l) 4. b, bl, br (skill: F.sub.2) 4. b, bl, br (skill: G) 5. b, bl, br (strategy: Je) 5. b, bl, br (strategy: Kf) 6. (strategy: Q=3 sentences) Episode 25 1. oa (skill: B) 2. er (skill: B) 3. oa, er (skill: F.sub.2) 3. oa, er (skill: G) 4. oa, er (strategy: Je) 4. oa, er (strategy: Kf) 5. (strategy: W=4 sentences)

Beginning first with Episode 1, Parts 1 3 of Episode 1 teach a child to respectively identify the letters "s" and "ee" and their sounds. Part 1 of Episode 1 performs this by using a sequence of establishing routines A, B, D. Part 2 of Episode 1 uses the establishing routines A and B (but not D) for "ee," and Part 3 of Episode 1 uses for "ee" and "s" the establishing routine F. Part 4 of Episode 1 uses for "ee" and "s" the segmenting and blending routine P, and may use the establishing routine C in another embodiment (not shown). An embodiment of an establishing routine comprises features to rapidly teach a learner the initial phonetic and other sound/symbol "components" of reading, and which later can be used in more elaborated reading strategies or "composites."

An establishing routine establishes sound/symbol control over a young speaker's verbal behavior, and transfers that control to textual stimuli, which is the decoding basis of reading. One embodiment of the establishing routine accomplishes this by carefully sequencing specific component skills, which allow for a rapid acquisition of basic reading strategies.

Embodiments of the establishing routine are unique in the way visual and auditory stimuli are presented and sequenced, and in the way that learner behavior is confirmed or corrected. These establishing routines may also used to teach whole-word reading if or when necessary. Although an embodiment of the establishing routine is described herein for teaching reading skills, these establishing routines may be employed to teach any type of paired associate, multiple discrimination, or algorithmically based learning objective.

The four segments or types of establishing routines include pairing (A), simple discrimination (B), discrimination (D), and conditional discrimination (F). The establishing routine A involves visual and auditory pairing of each sound element. For example in Part 1, a child may first be visually presented with a graphic (such as a "spaceship") and the letter "s" on the display unit 20, accompanied by an auditory playing of its pronunciation (e.g., "The sound that this letter makes is [`s` sound]. Listen to it again. [`s` sound]."). Next, the letter "s" disappears from the display unit 20 and the child is asked to click on the spaceship, or other graphic, to hear and see the letter "s" and "the sound this letter makes" again. If the child clicks correctly, then the letter "s" is redisplayed and pronounced (accompanied by an auditory narration such as "This is the letter `s`.)" If the child clicks incorrectly, then the spaceship or other graphic may be displayed at different locations, in different formats, multiple times, etc., accompanied by an auditory narration such as "Click on the spaceship to see the letter and hear the sound the letter makes," until the child clicks correctly. This process may be repeated and the child's responses timed. Thus, the establishing routine A allows a child to be presented with auditory and visual presentations of an element, and then allows the child to pair/identify sound and/or appearance of the element by "clicking" on corresponding graphics. This routine may be used anytime one stimulus is paired with another. First the stimulus is paired in one direction (e.g., X then Y), then it is paired in the opposite direction (e.g., Y then X), with the learner prompted to make an observing response.

Continuing with Part 1 of Episode 1, after successful completion of the establishing routine A, the establishing routine B involves simple discrimination of the "s" sound's presence and absence. In an embodiment, the establishing routine B includes presenting the letter "s" (and playing the "s" sound that it makes) to the child and asking the child to click on the presented letter. A feedback sound (such as a "starburst" or other stimulus changes, followed by point-to-point letter-sound confirmation and/or verbal praise) is played if the child clicks correctly. The establishing routine B may then be repeated and the child's responses timed, with the letter "s" being displayed elsewhere and the child being prompted to click on the letter. Whenever the child clicks incorrectly, feedback in the form of repeated instruction, audio corrections, or audio and visual comparisons of correct and incorrect responses, etc. may be provided. This embodiment of the routine serves to establish control over the learner's direct response to a stimulus, and to ensure that the response is under instructional control. The feedback includes the production of the feature of the stimulus as well as the confirmation of correctness.

Continuing with Part 1 of Episode 1, after successful completion of the establishing routine B, the establishing routine D involves discrimination between the sound element and juxtapositions of other similar sounds. The establishing routine D may involve display or other presentation of the letter "s" with other letters in an array (or in a row thereof), and invites the child to select the letter "s" by clicking on it. A running total of "correct" clicks for the child may be kept until the child reaches a threshold of correct clicks. As before, timing and reward animation or feedback may be provided to the child, including feedback that something incorrect was clicked by the child (e.g., "That letter you clicked is not the letter `s`."). Thus, the establishing routine D allows a child to identify an individual element (and/or its sound) from other elements/sounds. This establishing routine can be used in situations when a multiple discrimination may be required. The "non examples" (the letters that are not "s" in this illustration) are topographically (either in their visual or acoustic properties) similar to the example stimuli (the letter "s" in this illustration). Both confirmatory, as in the establishing routine B above, and corrective feedback are provided, such as described for the establishing routine F below.

In Part 2 of Episode 1, after successful completion of the Part 1, the establishing routines A and B are provided for the element "ee," and in an embodiment, the establishing routine D is not provided for the element "ee" since the establishing routine F in Part 3 has some overlap with the establishing routine D.

The establishing routine F involves conditional discrimination of clicking responses to indicate different sounds present, such as when both "ee" and "s" are displayed to the child. That is, an embodiment provides a stimulus, such as an array (or row thereof) to the child, with each array having the element(s) "s," "ee," or both, and several other elements that are unfamiliar to the child. An audible prompt instructs the child to select/click the element "s" or "ee" as each row is displayed, and the number of correct clicks is tracked until the child reaches a threshold number of correct clicks. By presenting the establishing routine F with an array having both the elements "s" or "ee," which are now familiar to the child given the successful completion of Parts 1 2, it is possible in an embodiment to make "s" the "correct answer" (an "example" sometimes denoted in the figures as "eg") in a row having an "ee," or vice versa. Furthermore, what was correct in a previous row can be made incorrect (a "nonexample" denoted as "neg"). As an illustration, a first row having the element "ee" can prompt the child to click on the element "s." If the child successfully clicks the "s" in the first row, a second row can be displayed having an "s" element and an "ee" element, but the prompt will now ask the child to click on the "ee" element, which was previously an incorrect nonexample in the first row. In this manner, the child is further taught how to visually and audibly differentiate known elements from each other.

FIGS. 2 4 are flowcharts illustrating an example of an establishing routine F for conditional discrimination. In these flowcharts and in other flowcharts illustrated elsewhere in the figures, the encircled letters indicate where the various flowcharts interconnect. In FIG. 2, a counter of consecutive "hits" or number of consecutive correct clicks is initially set at 0 at a block 46. An array of elements, including "s" and "ee" elements with other elements, for example, is defined at a block 48. The stimulus to be presented to the child is set at the first row of the array at a block 50. At a block 52, the first example to be selected by the child is set, which may be an "s" element or an "ee" element. At blocks 54, the row is presented to the child along with an audible prompt to click on the currently set example ("Click on the letter [`s` sound]").

The child's response may be timed at blocks 56 in FIG. 3. If the child clicked correctly at a decision block 58, then positive feedback is provided at a block 60. The current row is removed from the array at the block 62, and the consecutive hits counter is incremented by 1 at a block 64.

If at the decision block 58, however, the child clicked incorrectly, then an error sound and reset of a progress indicator occurs at blocks 66. At blocks 68, the routine may redisplay or otherwise re-present the correct element to the child so that the child can identify it the next time it is requested in a row. The current row is reordered at a block 70 and the consecutive hits counter is reset at a block 72. Thereafter, the process at the blocks 54 repeats. An example (or a suitable variation thereof) of a correction subroutine that can be used in conjunction with the establishing routine F when there are two (or any number n) of consecutive incorrect clicks or "misses" is shown in FIGS. 13 14 with respect to a fluency routine G.

Returning now to the block 64, the count of the consecutive hits is compared to a predefined threshold (such as 3) at a decision block 74. If the count has not yet reached the threshold, then at the blocks 76, the next row (and its example) is set or a new array is built if the last row has been reached. Thereafter, the process at the blocks 54 repeats. If at the decision block 74, however, the count of consecutive hits has reached the threshold, then the progress indicator is increased by one level at a block 78 in FIG. 4. If the count of consecutive hits has reached 12 clicks or other threshold in a decision block 80 in FIG. 4, then a reward (such as animation) is played to the child at a block 82, and the child moves to the next routine. If the number of consecutive hits has not reached the threshold at the decision block 80, then the process in the blocks 76 repeats. Conditional discrimination routines can be used whenever the correct stimulus to be chosen varies with the presence or absence of another stimulus. The stimulus, conditional stimulus, and behavior may vary in component size, intensive, or durative properties.

Shown next in FIG. 5 is an example of the building of a composite skill, as illustrated in the blending and segmenting routine P (or "composite routine" P) for Part 3 of Episode 1, to teach the child that the elements "s" and "ee" can be combined/separated. The illustrated embodiment of the blending and segmenting routine P teaches discrimination and recognition, so that the child can identify specific sounds that make up a word (discrimination and recognition), and teaches this skill by making the child put together individual components into composites. For simplicity of explanation and illustration, blocks for timing, providing feedback to the child, and incrementing of progress indicators are not shown or described in detail in FIG. 5, since such details would be familiar to those skilled in the art based on the description provided herein.

Beginning at a block 84, the elements "s" and "ee" are displayed separately to the child. Subsequently at a block 86, the child is prompted to put the two elements together. This may be done by prompting the child to click on the first element "s," and then to click where the element "s" is to go. If the child correctly clicks, then the two elements are blended together at the block 88 for display to the child (accompanied by an audible feedback of the composite sound), and the child's progress indicator is updated.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the foregoing may be repeated and so at a decision block 90, the routine checks to see whether the blending has been done for an Nth time, such as a second or any suitable number of times. If not, then the elements are pulled apart at a block 92. The elements may be pulled apart or segmented at the block 92 automatically, or in response to prompting the child to identify/click each element. After being segmented at the block 92, the child is prompted to click on each element. If the child clicks correctly, then the elements are combined at the block 88 and the above-described process repeats.

If the process has been repeated more than N times at the decision block 90, then the same process described above can be performed/repeated-for 3 elements. That is, the elements "s" and "ee" are displayed along with an unfamiliar element, and the child is prompted to put the "s" and "ee" elements together. Thus, the child has to recognize that the third element is not an "s" or an "ee," and respond by choosing the other two elements. This exercise can be extended to 4 or more elements at a block 98, with the various exercises at the blocks 96 98 involving items such as rearranging the appearance, location, sequence, etc. of the presented separated elements so that the child can be trained to locate them. If all of the above is completed satisfactorily, then a reward sequence is run at a block 100 and the routine ends. Composite routines can be used in situations when the learner may be required to assemble previously acquired component skills in order to perform a more elaborate skill or strategy. In one embodiment, some or all contextual features are included that govern the blending, ordering, and/or rearrangement of components such that the learner can produce the behavior requested by the situation.

The establishing routine C that can be used in Part 3 of Episode 1 in another embodiment (not shown), involves presentation of an example that "morphs" or changes into a nonexample. This may be used to show learners the difference between one presentation and another without requiring the learner to inspect two stimuli and compare them. For example, if two words differ by only one letter, juxtaposing the two in a continuous conversion or morphing format can greatly facilitate their later discrimination. The continuous conversion method can also be used in correction routines and when introducing new phonic elements that are similar to those previously learned.

Part 4 of Episode 1 can include further introduction to blending and segmenting in another embodiment, and may be combined with or separate from the prior parts of Episode 1 according to various embodiments of the invention. Next in Parts 1 3 of Episode 2, the establishing routines A, B, D, and/or F are provided for another set of elements "v," "an," and for both "v" and "an." For simplicity of explanation, application of these establishing