Neil T Heffernan

US Patent:

20100279265, Nov 4, 2010

Filed:

Oct 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/738060

Inventors:

Neil T. Heffernan - Worcester MA, US

Assignee:

WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE - Worcester MA

International Classification:

G09B 7/00

US Classification:

434350

Abstract:

Today, students are underperforming on the standardized testing. In an effort to better performance on these tests, software systems allow a student to practice different topics. These software systems, however, do not perform a longitudinal analysis of a student allowing the creation of an adaptable learning environment for the system. In contrast, the present invention provides a system that enables a student to answer one or more questions of a problem set. Next, the system stores information for each answer of the one or more questions over a period of time, analyzes the information for each student answer in a longitudinal manner, and identifies one or more deficiencies in learning of the student based on the longitudinal analysis. In this way, the system uses longitudinal analysis to identify student deficiencies, which allows a teacher or parent, using the analysis, to increase the quality of learning for the student.

US Patent:

20130034839, Feb 7, 2013

Filed:

Mar 8, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/642091

Inventors:

Neil T. Heffernan - Shrewsbury MA, US

International Classification:

G09B 7/00

US Classification:

434350

Abstract:

Education is a very important topic and educators are constantly attempting to improve manners in which education is provided to student. However, Educators often disagree as to the best techniques for educating students. Further, as technology is increasing the manner in which education is performed must keep up and take advantage of the current and anticipated developments in technology. A problem that is faced by Educators is that there is no ability to easily test and implement techniques of educations. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for conducting a controlled experiment to compare techniques of conveying information. The embodiments facilitate administration of the controlled experiment to a plurality of users via an online user interface. Using results of the controlled experiment, the embodiments determine a relative effectiveness of a technique for conveying information to at least one user of the plurality of users.

US Patent:

20080254437, Oct 16, 2008

Filed:

Jul 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/989791

Inventors:

Neil T Heffernan - Worcester MA, US
Kenneth R. Koedinger - Pittsburg PA, US

International Classification:

G09B 7/08

US Classification:

434362

Abstract:

A global computer network method and apparatus for creating and deploying many types of intelligent tutoring systems across many different platforms is disclosed. A run time engine supports state graph pseudo tutors and JESS model tracing cognitive tutors, in both a client and server context. An Assistment Builder enables development, testing and deployment of the pseudo tutors, generally the tutorials formed of teacher composed problems. The system simplifies the process of tutorial construction to allow educator users with little or no ITS experience to develop content of problems and teaching strategies (i.e., format of problems including hints, messages and sequencing of related problems). The system provides a Web these tutorials. A reporting component is Web based and allows for live database reporting to teachers, showing how their students are performing. Automated analysis and reporting of experimental tutorials developed by teachers is included.