US10013891 - Patent 1

TOMMAND DO NOT ALLOH TAHUN US010013891B2
(12) United States Patent ( 10) Patent No.: US 10 ,013 ,891 B2

Otwell (45 ) Date of Patent: Jul. 3, 2018
(54) LEARNING SYSTEM AND METHOD THAT (56 ) References Cited
DISPLAYS ACTIVITY STREAMS BASED ON
STUDENT CONTACTS U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
(71 ) Applicant: Laureate Education , Inc., Baltimore , 6 ,086 , 381 A 7/ 2000 Downs et al.
MD (US) 6 , 974 , 328 B2 12 /2005 Aspe et al.
(Continued )
( 72 ) Inventor: Kenny Hugh Otwell, Columbia , MD
(US) OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(73) Assignee : Laureate Education , Inc ., Baltimore, Bernau et al. , User 's Guide for Oracle WebCenter Portal: Spaces,
MD (US ) Nov. 2011.*
( * ) Notice : Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this (Continued )
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U . S . C . 154 ( b ) by 170 days. Primary Examiner — Eddy Saint-Vil
(74 ) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Venable LLP; Jeffri A .
(21 ) Appl. No.: 13/956 , 167 Kaminski
(22 ) Filed : Jul. 31 , 2013 (57) ABSTRACT
(65) Prior Publication Data A learning management system and method delivers an
US 2014 /0038156 A1 Feb . 6 , 2014 instructional material to a student workstation after authen
Related U .S . Application Data ticating an student's entry into a learning session that is
associated with a plurality of contacts . Stored electronic
(60 ) Provisional application No. 61 /677 ,990 , filed on Jul. addresses in a database include a first electronic address that
31, 2012 . is associated with a first contact and a second electronic
address that is associated with a second contact. The first
(51) GO9B
Int. CI.5 /00 ( 2006 .01) contact is associated with the learning session and the
GO9B 5 / 02 ( 2006 .01 ) second contact is not associated with the learning session . A
first activity stream associated with the first contact and a
(Continued ) second activity stream associated with the second contact is
(52) CPC
U .S . CI. . .. GO9B 5 /02 (2013 .01) ; G06Q 10 /06
selectively displayed to the student such that upon detection
( 2013 .01 ); G09B 5 /00 (2013.01 ); G09B 5 /08 of student's entry into the learning session, the first activity
(2013.01 ); G09B 5 / 125 (2013.01 ); H04L stream is displayed without displaying the second activity
29 /06 (2013 .01) stream and the second activity stream is displayed upon
(58 ) Field of Classification Search detection of student' s exit from the learning session either
CPC ... GO9B 7 /00 ; GO9B 5 /02 ; GO9B 5 / 14 ; GO9B with displaying the first activity stream or without display
7 /02 ; GO9B 5 /00 ; GO9B 5 / 10 ; GO9B ing the first activity stream .
5 /05 ;
(Continued ) 23 Claims, 34 Drawing Sheets
200
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225 WORK 245
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US 10 ,013 ,891 B2
Page 2
(51 ) Int. CI. 2006 /0115803 A1 6 /2006 Kalisiak

GOIB 5 / 08 ( 2006 .01) 2007 /0136475 A 6 /2007 Leppisaari et al.
2007/0213790 A1 * 9 /2007 Nolan ................ A61N 1 /37247
H04L 29 / 06 (2006 .01) 60759
G06Q 10 / 06 ( 2012 . 01) 2008/0057480 A1 3 /2008 Packard et al.
G09B 5 / 12 ( 2006 . 01) 2008 /0227077 Al 9 /2008 Thrall et al.
2009/ 0291426 A1 11/ 2009 Polivka
(58 ) Field of Classification Search 2009/0311658 A1 12 / 2009 Polivka
CPC .......... GO9B 5 /08; G09B 5 / 125 ; G06Q 50 /01; 2011/0171622 AL 7 / 2011 Lippert et al.
GO6Q 10 /06 ; H04L 29 /06 2012/ 0082974 A1
2012/0089635 A1
4 /2012 Shustorovich et al.
4 /2012 Elchik
USPC ........... ............... 434 /350 2012 /0237908 A1 9 /2012 Fitzgerald et al.
See application file for complete search history. 2012 / 0288846 A1 11/ 2012 Hull
2012/0315616 A1* 12 /2012 Fourman ... ........... 434 /350
(56 ) References Cited
U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS OTHER PUBLICATIONS
7 ,496 ,628 B2 2/ 2009 Arnold et al. International Search Report and Written Opinion in PCT Interna
8 ,064 ,817 B1 11/ 2011 Ziv -El tional Application No . PCT/US14 /48535 , dated Jan . 23 , 2015 .
2002 /0194179 A1 * 12/ 2002 Siefert . .... ...... ..... GO6F 17/22 Office Action in U .S . Appl. No. 13 /956 , 238 , dated Feb . 26 , 2015 .
2003 /0041121 AL 2 /2003 Levine Office Action in U .S . Appl. No. 13 /956 , 249 , dated Apr. 2 , 2015 .
2004 /0191745 A1 * 9 / 2004 Takano . ... . .. .. GO9B 7 /02
434 /322 * cited by examiner
U . S . Patent Jul. 3 , 2018 Sheet 1 of 34 US 10 ,013 ,891 B2
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Store electronic addresses for a plurality of contacts

2910 associated with a student
Associate the student with a set of student's contacts

comprising at least one student -selected contact and at
least one mandatory contact , wherein a student-selected
2920
contact comprises a contact designated by the student to be
in the set of student's contacts and a mandatory contact
comprises a contact that is not designated by the student to
be in the set of student's contacts
2930
Deliver one or more instructionalmaterials to the student
Provide a user interface that enables the student to

2940 communicate messages with the student-selected contact
and themandatory contact
FIGURE 29
Deliver an instructionalmaterial to a student workstation after

authenticating an student 's entry into a learning session at the student
3010 workstation, wherein the learning session is associated with a plurality
of contacts
3020
Store electronic addresses, wherein a first electronic address is

associated with a first contact and a second electronic address is
associated with a second contact, wherein the first contact is associated
with the learning session and the second contact is not associated with
the learning session
3030
Display to the student a first activity stream associated with the first
contact and a second activity stream associated with the second
contact, wherein upon detection of student's entry into the learning
session, the first activity stream is displayed without displaying the
second activity stream , and wherein upon detection of student's exit
from the learning session , the second activity stream is displayed either
with displaying the first activity stream or without displaying the first
activity stream
FIGURE 30A
Deliver a first instructionalmaterialto a student when the student

3040 enters into a first learning session associated with a first course
Deliver a second instructionalmaterial to the student when the student

3050
enters a second learning session associated with a second course
3060
Store electronic addresses for a plurality of contacts associated with the

student, wherein the student is associated with a set of student's
contacts comprising a first contact associated with the first course and a
second contact associated with the second course
3070 Display to the student a first activity stream associated with the first
contact and a second activity stream associated with the second
contact, wherein upon detection of student 's entry into the first learning
session , the first activity stream is displayed without displaying the
second activity stream , and wherein upon detection of student' s entry
into the second learning session , the second activity stream is displayed
without displaying the first activity stream
FIGURE 30B
atent Jul. 3 , 2018 Sheet 32 of 34 US 10,013,891 B2
Display a learning environment for delivery of instructional material to

a remote student workstation student after authenticating a student at
3110 the remote student workstation , wherein the learning environment
displays a user interface to the student on the remote student
workstation ; wherein the user interface is used to interact with an
instructionalmaterial when the student enters into a learning session
associated with a course
3120 — Communicatemessages to or from the studen

3120
Communicate messages to or from the student during the learning
session
Monitor the communication ofmessages with the student to determine

3130 whether a message contains an unauthorized content
3140 Transmit an alert message upon detection of an unauthorized content
FIGURE 31
Display corresponding learning environments for delivery of

3210 instructionalmaterial to a plurality of geographically dispersed remote
student workstations located in a plurality of regions after the learning
system authenticates à corresponding plurality of students at the
plurality of geographically dispersed remote student workstations,
wherein each learning environment displays a user interface on a
remote student workstation located in one region of the plurality of
regions
Store a plurality of region profiles, wherein each region profile

3220 contains information specifying rules associated with communication
of information between a first region and another second region
3230 Communicate messages amongst the geographically dispersed remote

student workstations located in the plurality of regions in accordance
with the plurality ofregion profiles
FIGURE 32
3310 Store a framework for a set of learning activities comprising a

sequence of learning units that are associated with a reference calendar
for completion of the learning activities relative to a reference date ,
wherein the reference calendar specifies a reference due date for
completing a learning activity associated with a learning unit of the
sequence of learning units, wherein the reference due date is relative to
the reference date
Create a learning environment for delivery of instructionalmaterial

associated to a remote student workstation after authenticating a
3320
student at the remote student workstation , wherein the created learning
environment displays a user interface on the remote student
workstation to the student, wherein the displayed user interface
comprises an actual due date for completing the assignment, wherein
the actual due date is derived from the reference due date
FIGURE 33
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
LEARNING SYSTEM AND METHOD THAT a bricks and mortar classroom . In both cases, the students are
DISPLAYS ACTIVITY STREAMS BASED ON grouped and assigned a specific teacher. The teacher intro
STUDENT CONTACTS duces all course content and materials into the classroom
and mediates and assesses the learning process of the
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED 5 student. Thus , under LMS 10 , the web is a tool to replicate ,
APPLICATIONS as closely as possible , the traditional classroom environment
and the LMS 10 is limited by its system boundaries, just as
This application claims priority to U . S . Provisional Patent the physical classroom is limited by four walls and doors.
Application Ser. No . 61/677, 990 , entitled “ SYSTEM AND With advances in content and media delivery technolo
METHOD FOR INTERFACING WITH STUDENTS 10 gies , the LMS model has not fully taken advantage of the
OVER A NETWORK ” , filed Jul. 31, 2012 , the contents of available features for educating students . For example, such
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their advances allow students to access educational content not
entirety . only via laptops and desktops, but also smart phones ,
PDA ' s , iPods , Netbooks and eBooks. It is, for example ,
FIELD 15 estimated that the majority of prospective studentmarket has
a smart phone or PDA , with advances content delivery
The present invention is generally directed to learning capabilities via downloadable applications or by content
systems and methods, and in particular, the present invention streaming . These new devices have enabled users access to
relates to displaying activity streams in such learning sys - podcasting, wikis, blogs , web cams, eBook readers, MP3
tems and methods . 20 players , social networks and virtual learning environments .
Conventional LMS developers ' attempt in incorporating
BACKGROUND new features into their existing systems in some cases can
result in significant developments cost in redesigning their
With developments in the education industry, students content to incorporate the functionality of these new tech
seek access to course - related information and their own 25 nologies . In other cases, the developers may have to open up
course work , anywhere , anytime. Students want current, their system platform through application programming
relevant, interesting and engaging course materials and interfaces (API' s ) to “ bolt on " new technological capabili
assignments taught by teachers , instructors, counselors and ties. LMS redesign investmentmay be expensive , especially
advisors who are aware of student' s educational and pro - when new development work may not be able to keep up
fessional path and goals based on a clear map of course 30 with the proliferation of ever advancing technologies and
progress and degree program . Enabling and facilitating features . Opening up platforms through APIs may present a
students' online activities around their campus is a major significant competitive disadvantage to LMS vendors and
consideration in providing the desired student experience . service providers who have invested heavily in their propri
Online education now demands providing educational etary instructional material delivery systems.
services to a diverse global audience from different cultural 35 Additionally , educational services are increasingly offered
backgrounds . Education providers face the challenge of over global networks of institutions and universities . For
providing high quality education across a diverse student example , Laureate Education Inc., the assignee of the pres
population . Educational programs must provide skills that ent application , currently offers accredited campus-based
students can apply in their lives and professions to make a and online courses in a wide variety ofprograms, including
real difference in the real world . Educators must strive to 40 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and special
create a community of learners connected to one another. A izations, to nearly a wide range of students in numerous
learning management system (LMS ) , as referred to in the countries. Such a global educational network requires sup
art, is software for delivering, tracking and managing train - porting learning environments that are tailored to bring to
ing of students. LMSs range from systems for managing students a global perspective blended with a local point of
student training records to software for distributing courses 45 view , creating a truly multicultural, career -oriented educa
over the Internet and offering features for online collabora - tional experience for students. For example , the educational
tion . In many instances , LMSs are used to automate record experience may be a career- focused or licensing program , a
keeping as well as to register students for classroom and multi-year undergraduate degree program , or master ' s and /
online courses . Self-registration , faculty -led learning, learn - or doctorate degree program in any one of a number of fields
ing workflow , the provision of on - line learning ( e . g ., read 50 including engineering , education , business , health care , hos
and understand ), on -line assessment, management of con - pitality , architecture , and information technology, etc .
tinuous professional education (CPE ), collaborative learning The advent of social networking platforms is impacting
( e. g ., application sharing, discussion threads), and learningthe way ( s ) in which learners engage with technology in
resource management (e.g ., instructors , facilities, general. Curriculum uses of social networking services also
FIG . 1 depicts a known LMS 10 , including one offered by 55 can include sharing curriculum - related resources . Educators
Blackboard , WebCT, Moodle, eCollege and others , which tap into user-generated content to find and discuss curricu
allows a faculty member to place his orher courses, in whole lum -related content for students. Responding to the popu
or in part, online . As depicted , the faculty 12 plays a central larity of social networking services among many students ,
role for mediating between a student 13 , presenting course teachers are increasingly using social networks to supple
content 15 and assessing a student 14 . LMSs 10 usually 60 ment teaching and learning in traditional classroom envi
provide all -inclusive learning environments for faculty and ronments as they can provide new opportunities for enrich
students, with the faculty 12 disseminating instructional ing existing curriculum through creative , authentic and /or
material specific to a course of study amongst students . As flexible , non - linear learning experiences. Some social net
such , the faculty member serves as the facilitator, assessor works, such as English , baby ! and LiveMocha, are explicitly
and content developer . 65 education -focused and couple instructional content with an
Conceptually , there is no difference between the role of a educational peer environment. The Web 2 .0 technologies
teacher in conventionalLMSs 10 and the role of a teacher in built into most social networking services promote confer
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
encing , interaction , creation , research on a global scale , Laureate Education Inc.'s U . S . Patent Publication No. US
enabling educators to share, remix , and repurpose curricu 2009-0291426 A1, the entire contents of which are hereby
lum resources. In short , social networking services can incorporated by reference , discloses an “ Educational System
become research networks as well as learning network . For Presenting One Or More Learning Units To Students In
The use of online social networks by school libraries is 5 Different Learning Environments” , where each unit is asso
also increasingly prevalent, and they are being used to10 ciated with an assessment information relating to students . A
communicate with potential library users , as well as extend digital rights and asset management application controls
ing the services provided by individual school libraries . access to the content associated with each one of said one or
Educators and advocates of new digital literacies are con more units according to corresponding unit identifiers . An
fident that social networking encourages the development of 10 assessment application , e. g ., a grade book application , stores
transferable , technical, and social skills of value in formal
and informal learning. In a formal learning environment, toassessment information derived from presenting the content
goals or objectives are determined by an outside department environmentsor,more
said one users in the first and second interactive
including social networks , with the unit iden
or agency . Tweeting , instant messaging , or blogging
enhances student involvement. Students who would ould not
not 1515 tifier correlating the assessment information with the units .
tieSocial
normally participate in class aremore apt to partake through networking sites share a variety of technical fea
social network services. Networking allows participants the tures that allow individuals to : construct a public /semi
opportunity for just-in -time learning and higher levels of public profile, articulate a list of other users that they share
engagement. The use of social networking allows educators a connection with , and view their list of connections within
to enhance the prescribed curriculum . When learning expe - 20 the system . The most basic of these are visible profiles with
riences are infused into a website that students utilize every a list of “ friends” who are also users of the site . A profile is
day for fun , students realize that learning can and should be generated from answers to questions, such as age , location ,
a part of everyday life. interests , etc . Some sites allow users to upload pictures, add
Social networking services foster learning through what is multimedia content, or modify the look and feel of the
described as a “ Participatory Culture ." A participatory cul- 25 profile . Others , e . g ., Facebook , allow users to enhance their
ture consists of a space that allows engagement, sharing , profile by adding modules or “ Applications.” Many sites
mentoring, and an opportunity for social interaction . Par - allow users to post blog entries , search for others with
ticipants of social network services may avail themselves of similar interests and compile and share lists of contacts . User
this opportunity . Informal learning , in the forms of partici- profiles often have a section dedicated to comments from
patory and social learning online , is an excellent tool for 30 friends and other users . To protect user privacy , social
teachers to sneak in material and ideas that students will networks typically have controls that allow users to choose
identify with , and therefore , in a secondary manner, students who can view their profile, contact them , add them to their
will learn skills that would normally be taught in a formal list of contacts, and so on . Some social networks have
setting in the more interesting and engaging environment of additional features, such as the ability to create groups that
social learning. Sites like Twitter provide students with the 35 share common interests or affiliations, upload or stream live
opportunity to converse and collaborate with others in real videos , and hold discussions in forums.
time. Social networking services provide a virtual “ space ” Companies have begun to merge business technologies
for learners . and solutions, such as cloud computing, with social net
Social networks focused on supporting relationships working concepts. Instead of connecting individuals based
between teachers and their students are now used for learn - 40 on social interest, companies are developing interactive
ing , educator professional development, and content shar - communities that connect individuals based on shared busi
ing . Ning for teachers , Term Wiki, Learn Central, Teach - ness needs or experiences . Many provide specialized net
Street and other sites are being built to foster relationships working tools and applications that can be accessed via their
that include educational blogs , eportfolios , formal and ad websites , such as LinkedIn . Others companies , such as
hoc communities, as well as communication such as chats , 45 Monster . com , have been steadily developing a more " social
discussion threads, and synchronous forums. These sites ized” feel to their career center sites to harness some of the
also have content sharing and rating features . power of social networking sites. These more business
Laureate Education Inc .' s U . S . Patent Publication No. related sites have their own nomenclature for the most part
2009 -0311658 A1, the entire contents of which are hereby but the most common naming conventions are “ Vocational
incorporated by reference, discloses “ System And Method 50 Networking Sites” or “ Vocational Media Networks” , with
For Collaborative Development Of Online Courses And the former more closely tied to individual networking rela
Programs Of Study ” over a social network . A database stores tionships based on social networking principles.
an initial framework that defines a sequence of learning units An activity stream is a list of recent activities performed
for creating a desired learning environment for students . The by an individual, typically on a single website. For example,
learning units are identified by corresponding learning unit 55 Facebook 's News Feed is an activity stream . When users are
identifiers . A plurality of workstations coupled to the net logged into Facebook , a News Feed presents constantly
work are used for entry of reviewer information by the updated list of their friends' Facebook activity . The News
participants using the learning environment created for the Feed highlights information that includes profile changes,
students. The reviewer information comprise one or more upcoming events, and birthdays , among other updates. The
comments entered by one participant about a learning unit 60 News Feed also shows conversations taking place between
and a rank entered by another participant about the com - the walls of a user' s friends . An integral part of the News
ment, with the rank being correlated with a defined ranking Feed interface is the Mini-Feed , a news stream on the user ' s
standard . A processor processes the rank according to a profile page that shows updates about that user. Unlike in the
predefined criteria to produce a ranking result that is asso - News Feed , the user can delete events from the Mini-Feed
ciated with a learning unit identifier. The ranking result is 65 after they appear so that they are no longer visible to profile
used for associating learning content to the learning unit visitors . News Feed shows top stories and most recent
identified by the learning unit identifier. stories in one feed , and the option to highlight stories to
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
6
make them top stories, as well as to un -highlight stories. The message from the second contact . At least one of the first
News Feed allow users to view recent stories first. activity stream or second activity streams can comprises a
Since the proliferation of activity streams on websites , message transmitted from the student. The first activity
there have been calls to standardize the format so that stream can comprise a first status update from the first
websites could interact with a stream provided by another 5 contact and the second activity stream can comprise a
website . The Activity Streams project , for example , is an second status update from the second contact . The instruc
effort to develop an activity stream protocol to syndicate tional material can concurrently be displayed with the first
activities across social Web applications. Activity Streams is activity stream .
an open format specification for activity stream protocols, According to still other more detailed features of this
which are used to syndicate activities taken in social web 10 aspect of the present invention , the first contact is associated
applications and services , similar to those in Facebook , with at least one of another student, an instructor, a course
Newsfeed , FriendFeed , the Movable Type Action Streams performance assessor, a course developer, or a course
plugin , etc . Several major websites with activity stream administrator. At least one of the first or second activity
implementations have already opened up their activity streams can comprise a live stream . A message correspond
streams to developers to use , including Facebook and MyS - 15 ing to the second activity stream can be transmitted to the
pace . Facebook Desktop for Adobe AIR lets users see a student upon detection of student's exit from the learning
running timeline, or stream , of the activities of their friends session .
on a desktop computer or even on a cell phone. Though According to another aspect of the present invention , a
activity stream arises from social networking , nowadays it learning management system and method delivers a first
has become an essential part of business software . Enterprise 20 instructional material to a student when the student enters
social software is used in different types of companies to into a first learning session that is associated with a first
organize their internal communication and acts as an impor course . A second instructional material is delivered to the
tant addition to traditional corporate intranet. Such major student when the student enters a second learning session
collaboration software like Jive Software , Yammer, or Chat- that is associated with a second course. Sored electronic
ter offer activity stream as a separate product . At the same 25 addresses in a data base for a plurality of contacts are
time other major software providers, such as tibbr, Central associated with the student. The student is associated with a
Desktop , and Wrike offer activity stream as an integrated set ofstudent's contacts comprising a first contact associated
part of their collaboration software solution . with the first course and a second contact associated with the
With advances in information technologies , there exists a second course . A first activity stream associated with the first
need for an educational system that allows a student to 30 contact and a second activity stream associated with the
engage in a wide range of activity streams. second contact are displayed to the student such that upon
detection of student' s entry into the first learning session , the
SUMMARY first activity stream is displayed without displaying the
second activity stream , and upon detection of student' s entry
Briefly, according to one aspect of the present invention , 35 into the second learning session , the second activity stream
a learning management system and method delivers an is displayed without displaying the first activity stream .
instructional material to a student workstation after authen - These and other features and advantages will be apparent
ticating an student' s entry into a learning session that is from a reading of the following detailed description and a
associated with a plurality of contacts. Stored electronic review of the associated drawings . It is to be understood that
addresses in a database include a first electronic address that 40 both the foregoing general description and the following
is associated with a first contact and a second electronic detailed description are explanatory only and are not restric
address that is associated with a second contact. The first tive of aspects as claimed .
contact is associated with the learning session and the
second contact is not associated with the learning session . A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
first activity stream associated with the first contact and a 45
second activity stream associated with the second contact is Embodiments will now be described in connection with
selectively displayed to the student such that upon detection the associated drawings, in which :
of student's entry into the learning session , the first activity FIG . 1 depicts a known LMS.
stream is displayed without displaying the second activity FIG . 2 depicts an exemplary educational system in accor
stream and the second activity stream is displayed upon 50 dance with one or more embodiments .
detection of student's exit from the learning session either FIG . 3 depicts an exemplary block diagram of a network
with displaying the first activity stream or without display - having a front-end system and a back -end system in accor
ing the first activity stream . dance with one or more embodiments
According to some of the more detailed features of this FIG . 4 depicts an exemplary server in accordance with
aspect of the present invention , the first contact is a man - 55 one or more embodiments .
datory contact and the second contact is a student- selected FIGS. 5 - 27 depict exemplary interfaces in accordance
contact such that the student- selected contact comprises a with one or more embodiments .
contact designated by the student to be in a set of contacts FIG . 28 depicts exemplary calendars in accordance with
associated with the student and a mandatory contact com - one or more embodiments .
prises a contact that is not designated by the student to be in 60 FIGS. 29 - 33 depict an exemplary logic flows for manag
the set of contacts associated with the student. ing learning in accordance with one or more embodiments.
According to other more detailed features of this aspect of
the present invention , the second activity stream is displayed DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
concurrent with displaying the first activity stream upon
student's exit from the learning session . The first activity 65 Exemplary embodiments are discussed in detail below .
stream can comprise a first message from the first contact While specific exemplary embodiments are discussed , it
and the second activity stream can comprise a second should be understood that this is done for illustration pur
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
poses only . In describing and illustrating the exemplary of the users, chat histories of the users, communities of the
embodiments , specific terminology is employed for the sake users , courses associated with the users , or any combination
of clarity. However, the embodiments are not intended to be thereof. As used herein , a circle of a user means a set of other
limited to the specific terminology so selected . A person users associated with a user in the system . In one embodi
skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other compo - 5 ment , a user ' s circles may be set by the user. As used herein ,
nents and configurations may be used without parting from a community of the user may include any group or associa
the spirit and scope of the embodiments. It is to be under - tion of which the user is a part as identified by the system .
stood that each specific element includes all technical Communities are different from contacts and circles because
equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a communities cannot be directly modified by users. Commu
similar purpose . The examples and embodiments described 10 nities may be disbanded once a course ends, or past com
herein are non - limiting examples. munities may be maintained . Social network database 235
FIG . 2 depicts an exemplary educational system 200 in may also store any other information related to the social
accordance with one or more embodiments . In one embodi- networking information .
ment, users of devices 215 - 1 through 215 -n may register Security database 240 may store security information for
within a particular learning system or institution and may 15 the system . Security information may include usernames of
connect to a network 210 ( e. g . the Internet). Each ofdevices the users , passwords of the users, security questions used for
215 - 1 through 215 -n may be a computer , workstation , verifying the identity of the users , answers to security
mobile device , a PDA , an iPad , or a laptop computer. A questions, which parts of the system the users are able to
server 205 may be maintained by the school/university or a access , or any combination thereof.
third party vendor. Education system 200 may also include 20 Course database 245 may store any information about the
a server 260 . Server 260 may include any combination of courses offered by educational system 200 . Course database
features of server 205 . Server 260 may also be connected to 245 may store course names , course identifiers , course
the other parts of education system 200 through network numbers , course descriptions, course teachers, course teach
210. Server 260 may be located on the same network as ing assistants, course schedules , course enrollment including
server 205 or on a different network as server 205 . Server 25 students enrolled in the courses , past course offerings , future
260 may run or operate other instances the software used to course offerings , number of users allowed to enroll in a
provide the online education system . Server 260 may be run course , course structure , course prerequisites, or any com
or operated by other institutions, either foreign or domestic . bination thereof.
Server 260 may be run or operated by the same institution Teacher database 250 may store any information about the
but in separate locations, either foreign or domestic . Edu - 30 teachers using educational system 200 . In one embodiment,
cation system 200 may include any number of additional teachers are associated with network address , e . g ., IP
servers , user devices , or network connections. addresses , that may be stored in a teacher ' s profile . Teacher
Server 205 may be connected to or include a number of database 250 may store information about the teachers '
databases, including a course material database 220 , a names, years teaching, programs involved with , locations ,
student database 225 , a portfolio database 230 , a social 35 addresses , information about the teacher entered by the
network database 235 , a security database 240, a course users, activities and interests of the teachers , education of
database 245 , a teacher database 250 , or any combination the teachers, work experiences of the teachers , pictures of
thereof. The course material database 220 may store any the teachers , or any combination thereof.
information about course materials . The course material FIG . 3 depicts an exemplary block diagram 300 of a
database 220 may store , for each course, weekly schedules , 40 network having a front- end system and a back -end system in
syllabi, assignments, resources, due dates, discussions, accordance with one or more embodiments. The front -end
reflections , content summaries, content reviews, quizzes, system 330 includes a firewall 332 , which is coupled to one
tests , midterms, finals , any other course material informa or more load balancers 334a , 334b . Load balancers 334a -b
tion , or any combination thereof. are in turn coupled to one or more web servers 336a - b . To
Student database 225 may store any information about 45 provide online learning sessions, the web servers 336a - b are
students using the system . Student database 225 may store coupled to one or more application servers 338a - c , each of
an inventory of all users that are affiliated with the particular which includes and/ or accesses one or more front- end data
learning program or institution . In one embodiment, such bases 340 , 342 , which may be central or distributed data
users are associated with network address, e .g ., IP addresses, bases . The application servers serve various modules used
that may be stored in a user' s profile . Student database 225 50 for interaction between the different users and the learning
may store information about the students ' names, class year , system , including instructional enrollment module , course
programs of study, locations, addresses , information about registration module , learning session management module ,
the student entered by the students, activities and interests of content delivery module , proximity module , event module ,
the students, education of the students, work experiences of a social networking tool, connection layer module, external
the students , pictures of the users , or any combination 55 portfolio module , internal portfolio module , a presentation
thereof. module , or any combination thereof. These modules may be
Portfolio database 230 may store information about stu - run independently of each other based on corresponding
dent portfolios. Student portfolios include information about teacher, student, geolocation and event profiles , as further
student progress in the courses . Portfolio database 230 may described below .
store information about courses the students have com - 60 Web servers 336a -b provide various user portals, includ
pleted , activities the students have completed , examples of ing student, teacher, and event portals . The user portals may
work products the students have completed , grades, evalu - include various web interfaces . The servers 336a -b are
tations, rankings , or any combination thereof. coupled to load balancers 334a- b , which perform load
Socialnetwork database 235 may store social networking balancing functions for providing optimum online session
information about the users of the system . Socialnetworking 65 performance by transferring client user requests to one or
information may include contacts of the users to which the more of the application servers 338a -c according to a series
students are connected , circles of the users, chat connections of semantics and /or rules. The application servers 338a- c
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
10
may include a database management system (DBMS ) 346 such as a web -browser, smart phones, and tablet devices
and / or a file server 348 , which manage access to one ormoresuch as the iPad , to provide an improved core student
databases 340, 342. In the exemplary embodiment depicted experience .
in FIG . 4 , the application servers 338a and/or 338b provide FIG . 4 depicts an exemplary server 410 in accordance
instructional content to the users 306 , 310 which include 5 with one or more embodiments . Server 410 may include a
electronic interfaces, progress reports, student profiles, social network tool 415 , a connection layer module 450 , an
teacher profiles, event profiles , as well as instructional external portfolio module 455 , an internal portfolio module
content correlated with a student, teacher, course, school, 460 , a presentation module 465 , or any combination thereof.
expressive avatar information or event as processed by the 10 420 , a network
Social
chat
tool 415 may include a communities module
module 425 , a circles module 430 , a contacts
server. Some of the instructional content is generated via module 435 , an update stream module 440 , a policies
code stored either on the application servers 338a and/ or
338b , while some other information and content, such as module provide
445 , or any combination thereof. The modules may
the functionalities as further described below .
student profiles , instructional material, teacher schedule , or Login Management
other information
information ,, which
which isis presented
presented dynamically the 1515 FIG
dynamically toto me FIG . 55 depicts
depict an exemplary login interface 510 in accor
user, is retrieved along with the necessary data from the dance with
dance with one
one or
or more
more embodiments . Login interface 510 ,
databases 340, 342 via application server 338c. The appli as well as the other interfaces described herein , may be
cation server 338b may also provide users 306 , 306 access presented in browser window 520. Login interface 510 may
to executable files which can be downloaded and installed include an user ID entry field 530 . a password entry field
on user devices 304, 310 for creating an appropriate learning 20 540, a login button 550 , a forgotten password link 560 , or
environments and sessions, with branding and or marketing combinations thereof. The user may enter a user ID into user
features that are tailored for a particular application , client or ID entry field 530 . The user ID may be an email address or
customer. any other string used to identify users of educational system
The central or distributed database 340 , 342 , stores , 200 . The user may also enter a password into the password
among other things , the web content and instructional mate - 25 entry field 540 . When the user enters a valid user ID and
rial deliverable to the students . The central or distributed password combination , activating login button 550 may
database 340, 342 , may store information stored in course allow the user to gain entry to the course content provided
material database 220 , student database 225 , portfolio data - by educational system 200. A user may activate the forgotten
base 230 , social network database 235 , security database password link 560, which may provide the user with further
240 , course database 245 , teacher database 250 , or any 30 instructions on how to obtain a recovery password . Access
combination thereof. The central or distributed database to educational system 200 may be control by policies
340, 342 may also store retrievable information relating to module 445 based on system settings . Educational system
or associated with students , teachers , responsible authorities , 200 may also have an auto - logout feature , in which after a
parents, learning centers, profiles (student, facilitator, specified period of time or of inactive time, e .g . 30 minutes ,
teacher, faculty , course developer, assessor, etc . ), billing 35 a user is disconnected from the system and must login again
information , schedules , statistical data , attendance data , in order to access educational system 200 .
enrollment data , teacher attributes, student attributes, his Course Dashboard
torical data , demographic data, compliance data , certifica - FIG . 6 depicts an exemplary interface 600 in accordance
tion data, billing rules, third party contract rules, educational with one or more embodiments . Interface 600 may include
district requirements , expressive avatar information , etc . 40 dashboard button 605 , current courses display 610 , recent
Any or all of the foregoing data can be processed and courses display 612 , upcoming courses display 614 ,
associated as necessary for achieving a desired learning announcements area 616 , news area 618 , close button 620 ,
objective or a business objective associated with operating or any combination thereof. Dashboard button 605 may be
the system of the disclosed embodiments . present on any interface of educational system 200 . When a
Updated program code and data are transferred from the 45 user activates dashboard button 605 , the educational system
back -end system 360 to the front- end system 330 to syn - 200 will display current courses display 610 , recent courses
chronize data between databases 340 , 342 of the front-end display 612 , upcoming courses display 614 , announcements
system and databases 340a , 342a of the back -end system . area 616 , news area 618 , close button 620 , or any combi
Further, web servers 336a, 336b, which may be coupled to nation thereof. The portion of the browser window contain
application servers 338a - c , may also be updated periodically 50 ing these elements may change while the other portions of
via the same process . The back - end system 360 interfaces the browser window , for example , the contacts display , may
with a user device 350 such as a workstation , enabling remain unaltered . Presentation module 465 may manage the
interactive access for a system user 352 , who may be , for elements presented for display as described herein .
example , a developer or a system administrator. The work Current courses display 610 may display, in any format ,
station 350 may be coupled to the back - end system 360 via 55 a list of courses in which a user in currently enrolled . The
a local network 328 . Alternatively, the workstation 350 may current courses display 610 may include links that link to the
be coupled to the back - end system 360 via the Internet 370 course pages and a place for obtaining course materials. Any
through the wired network 324 and / or the wireless network number of currently enrolled courses may be presented on
326 . current courses display 610 . Current courses display 610
The back - end system 360 includes an application server 60 may be hidden by recent courses display 612 or upcoming
362 , which may also include a file server or a database courses display 614 in a similar manner in which dashboard
management system (DBMS). The application server 362 interface 600 shows recent courses display 612 and upcom
allows a user 352 to develop or modify application code or ing courses display 614 being hidden by current courses
update other data , e . g ., electronic content and electronic display 610 . In one embodiment, the currently selected
instructionalmaterial, in databases 340a , 342a . According to 65 course panel, i. e ., current courses display 610 , recent courses
one embodiment, interactive client- side applications on the display 612 , or upcoming courses display 614 , will hide all
internet execute on a variety of internet delivery devices or portions of the two non -selected course panels. Clicking
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
11
or activating a hidden course panel may cause that course courses and users and showing the list of courses and users.
panel to come to the foreground and hide the other two In one embodiment, the user is enrolled in two courses , as
course panels . Recent courses display 612 and upcoming shown by course button 646 and course button 648 . When
courses display 614 may display the same types of infor the user toggles course button 646 , the list of users also
mation as current courses display 610 . However, recent 5 enrolled in course may be displayed . For an example of the
courses display 612 may any number of courses already expanded list of users, see FIG . 9 . Contacts module 435 may
completed by the user. Upcoming courses display 614 may provide educational system 200 with the list of contacts
display courses that the user has not yet started but in which currently enrolled in the course . The current courses section
the user may be enrolled . Announcements area 616 may 6 44 may also display the instructors associated with each
display announcements from the system or other source. The 10 course . Any number of courses may be presented in any
announcements may be any type of content including text, order in the current courses section 644 .
images , video , links, or any combination thereof. News area Circles section 650 may list the current circles that a user
618 may display news from the system or other source . The created and the other users that are a part of those circles . By
news may be any type of content including text, images , activating the circles section 650, which includes clicking on
video , links, or any combination thereof. When activated , 15 circles section 650 , the user may toggle hiding the list of
close button 620 may hide the portion of the browser circles and users and showing the list of circles and users . A
window containing current courses display 610 , recent user' s circles may be presented logically by circle similar to
courses display 612 , upcoming courses display 614 , how the courses were presented logically by course in
announcements area 616 , news area 618 , close button 620 . current courses section 644 . For an example of the expanded
The portion of the browser window may then display a 20 list of circles, see FIG . 22 . Add circles button 652 may be
default page , a blank page , another portion of content used by a user to add new circles. Any number of circles may
presented by educational system 200 , for example , a page be presented in any order in the circles section 650. Circles
showing information about a user, or content presented from module 430 may provide educational system 200 with the
another source. list of the user ' s circles and users associated with the circles.
Interface 600 may include availability indicator 625 , user 25 Communities section 655 may list the current communi
status button 630 , email button 635 , or any combination ties with which a user is associated and the other users that
thereof. Availability indicator 625 may be a graphical or may also be associated with those communities . By activat
textual symbol that represents the status of the user currently i ng the communities section 655 , which includes clicking on
using the system . Availability indicator 625 may be a communities section 655 , the user may toggle hiding the list
colored light, with different colors representing different 30 of communities and users and showing the list of commu
statuses . In one embodiment, a green light may indicate that nities and users . A user's communities may be presented
the user is available , a red lightmay indicate that the user is logically by community similar to how the courses were
busy, and a grey light may indicate that the user is invisible presented logically by course in current courses section 644 .
User status button 630 may be a button that displays For an example of the expanded list of communities, see
identifying information about the user currently logged in . 35 FIG . 22 . Communities module 420 may provide educational
User status button 630 may display the user ' s name, user ID , system 200 with the list of the user 's communities and users
email address , any information that identifies the user, or any associated with the communities .
combination thereof. When a user activates email button Hide social pane button 660 may be used to hide the social
635 , the user may be redirected to an email program . The pane or resize the horizontal dimensions of the social pane.
email program may be integrated with educational system 40 Social pane adjustor 665 may be used to adjust the verticle
200 or external to educational system 200 . The email size of the social pane . Below the social pane adjustor 665
program may start composing a new email with some or all may be a space for open chat sessions . In some embodi
of the content currently being presented by educational ments , when a user hides the social pane with hide social
system 200 in the browser. Availability indicator 625 , user pane button 660, educational system 200 changes the user 's
status button 630 , and email button 635 may be present on 45 status to busy . When the user unhides the social pane with
any or all of the other interfaces presented by educational hide social pane button 660, educational system 200 changes
system 200 . the user ' s status to available. This technique allows the user
Social Pane to simultaneously hide the social pane when wanting to
Interface 600 may include contacts button 640 , search focus on course materials while indicating to contacts that
field 642, current courses section 644 , course button 646 , 50 the user is busy and might not respond to chats . Hide social
course button 648 , circles section 650 , add circles button pane button 660 may allow the user to hide the social pane
652, communities section 655 , hide social pane button 660, with a single click .
social pane adjustor 665, stream button 670 , or any combi- Interface 600 may include places button 680 , tools button
nation thereof. Contacts button 640 , when activated , causes 682 , course button 684 , course button 686 , or any combi
the social pane to be shown. The social pane may include 55 nation thereof. Places button 680 , tools button 682, course
search field 642 , current courses section 644 , course button button 684 , or course button 686 may displayed in the
646 , course button 648 , circles section 650 , add circles taskbar area of any page , not only on the page displayed in
button 652 , communities section 655 , hide social pane interface 600 . When activated by the user, pages button 680
button 660 , and social pane adjustor 665 . When a user enters reveals a pop -up window that gives the student the option to
a query into search field 642 , a search dialog may appear 60 link to other parts of the application provided by educational
providing a real-time list of results provided by the contacts system 200 . In some embodiments , the links include a link
module 435 that match the user' s query . to student services pages and a link to a communities page .
Current courses section 644 may list the current courses When activated by the user, tools button 682 reveals a
in which a user is enrolled and the other users that may also pop - up window that gives the student the option to link to
be enrolled in those courses. By activating the current 65 other parts of the application provided by educational sys
courses section 644 , which may include clicking on current tem 200. In some embodiments , the links include a link to
courses section 644 , the user may toggle hiding the list of an email tool.
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
13 14
Course buttons 684 and 686 represent courses that a user to avoid sending updates or buddy lists that are not being
is associated with . When activated by the user, course button used because the updates or users have been filtered out. As
684 opens a course page provided by educational system a result, the server may avoid sending extraneous data
200. There may be any number of course buttons in the regarding updates, e .g ., updates about people, when the user
taskbar area . Educational system 200 or a user may deter - 5 will not even see the updates . Update stream module 440
mine that a course should be placed as a course button in the may provide educational system 200 with updates and
taskbar area , reordered in the taskbar area , or removed from information relating to the user 's stream .
the taskbar area . In some embodiments , one or more users Student- Selected Contacts and Mandatory Contacts
may be prevented by educational system 200 from making A networked computer system provides various services
alterations to the course buttons in the taskbar area . Course 10 for assisting users in locating, and establishing contact
button 684 and 686 can be used to return to that course if the relationships with , other users. For example , in one embodi
student has been working in other areas and overlain the ment, users can identify other users based on their affilia
course in the workspace . tions with particular schools or other organizations. The
Course button 686 may function in any of the ways course system also provides a mechanism for a user to selectively
button 684 functions for a separate course , the same course , 15 establish contact relationships or connections with other
or a separate portion of the same course . users , and to grant permissions for such other users to view
User Status Options Window personal information of the user. The system may also
FIG . 7 depicts an exemplary interface 700 in accordance include features for enabling users to identify contacts of
with one ormore embodiments . When user status button 630 their respective contacts . In addition , the system may auto
is activated , a user status options window 710 appears . User 20 matically notify users of personal information updates made
status options window 710 may include user info button 715 , by their respective contacts .
status selection options, language selection options, student A network service comprises a platform that builds a
information , a logout button , or any combination thereof. plurality of networks of related users. Such network service
Activating the user info button 715 will allow the user to edit platform may be presented to the users via a website served
the user 's information as described herein . The status selec - 25 by servers , such as those disclosed in connection with FIGS.
tion options may allow the user to make changes to the 2 -4 . Network services allow for creation of user profile
user ' s status. The language selection options may allow the pages that may include pictures and user information .
user to make changes to the preferred language for receiving The users may be related based on shared interests in
content. The logout button may allow the user to end the learning a subject. For example , the related users can be
session with educational system 200 . 30 students taking the same course or classes. The related users
Updates Stream can comprise students and faculty responsible for mediating
Interface 700 may include stream button 720 , filter bar instructionalmaterial for a course of study . The related users
725 , and stream section 730 . When a user activates the can be students having shared interest in learning about a
stream button 720 , filter bar 725 , stream section 730 , or any specific subject that is offered by a learning institution , or
combination thereof may be displayed . Stream section 730 35 various learning activities . The related users can comprise
may display a stream of updates associated with courses, students and other users that have real- life connections with
communities , circles, or any combination thereof. Updates the students . Such real - life connections can be based on
may include updates on other users ' chat statuses or new friendship , ethnical backgrounds , etc .
information associated with other people. Stream section learning management system may comprise a database ,
730 may display , for each update , the source of the update , 40 a learning system , and a networking service . The database ,
who posted the updated , the time of the update , a message , such as any one or more of those depicted in FIGS . 2 and 3
a content item , or any combination thereof. Update stream or otherwise described herein , may store electronic
module 440 may provide educational system 200 with addresses for a plurality of contacts associated with the
updates and information relating to the user 's stream . student. The student' s contacts may be any other system user
Filter bar 725 may provide a drop - down menu that may 45 that is associated with the user. As discussed above , a user ' s
allow a user to filter the user ' s stream by various options, contact may be in a community with the user, a circle with
including filtering by community, a course , circle , contact, the user, a course with the user, or any combination thereof.
user, status , location , any other filtering option described A student may be associated with a set of student ' s contacts ,
herein , or any combination thereof. When a filtering option i.e . contacts of the student . The set of student's contacts may
is chosen from the filter bar 725 , the stream section 730 may 50 comprise at least one student -selected contact and at least
be updated to display those stream items that met the one mandatory contact. The student - selected contact may be
filtering options. Education system 200 may detect that the a contact designated by the student to be in the set of the
user has selected a particular filter, and then only push to the student' s contacts . For example , the student -selected contact
user updates that satisfy the filter. The update viewing may a member of a circle of the student, another user added
section may be a truncated area in a panel which can be left 55 by the student to the student' s contact list, or any other
open while the user browses the system , or may be a full contact otherwise identified by the student as the student' s
page area that may be navigated away from . Update stream contact. In some embodiments, the student-selected contact
module 440 may provide educational system 200 with may a member of a contact group that is subject to a group
updates and information relating to the user 's stream . approval, such as a community .
Education system 200 may filter updates based upon other 60 The mandatory contact may be a contact that is not
criteria . The system may filter updates based on those users designated by the student to be in the set of the student' s
currently on - screen . Filtering may be based upon the focus contacts , but is still one of the student's contacts . For
of the portal. For example , if a History course is selected , the example, a mandatory contact may be a classmate that is
user may see a certain group of student status updates for the enrolled in the same course with the student, a course
users in History course . When the user switches to an 65 instructor assigned to the course , an assessor of student
English course , the History course updates may be removed performance of the course, a course developer assigned to a
The filtering described herein allows educational system 200 course , a member of a contact group that is subject to group
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approval (e.g . a member of a community ), or any other specified criteria , such as membership in one or more
contact not selected , designated , and/ or identified by the courses, circles, communities .
student to be in the set of student' s contacts . Courses , as a Additionally or alternatively, smart filtering may also be
type of association of contacts , may refer to groups of used, in which filtering is performed automatically by the
connected users (e . g . students, teachers , teaching assistants ) 5 system based on a user 's interactions .
that are involved in the same course. Membership in a In the learning management system , a server configured
course may be mandatory in that any person involved with to create a learning environment on a remote student work
a course may automatically be included in the course group , station or accessible by a remote workstation for delivery of
instructional material to a student after the server authenti
and the user may not have the ability to opt-out of the course 10 cates a student login . The created learning environment
group . Similarly, a mandatory contact, or compulsory con displays a user interface to the student on the remote student
tact, of the student may be automatically included in the workstation , such as the interfaces described herein . The
student' s contacts , and the student may not be able to user interface may also be used to interact with an instruc
remove the mandatory contact from the student' s contacts . tional material when the student enters into a learning
The identification , selection , or assignment of mandatory
ory 1515 Sess
session associated with a course . The learning session may
contacts of a student, e .g . members of a course group , may refer to when a student interacts with an instructional
be provided by a registrar , another source of course enroll material . If the student does not interact with instructional
ment data , or any other source on the system . material, then there is no learning session . FIG . 14 , which
The learning system may be configured to deliver one or will be described in more detail below , depicts an example
more instructionalmaterials to the student. The one or more 20 of a learning session in which instructional materials are
instructionalmaterials may be any of those discussed herein . presented to a student and the student interacts with the
The networking service may be in communication with instructional material.
the learning management system , and the networking ser- database , such as any of those discussed herein , may
vice may be configured to provide a user interface that store electronic addresses for a plurality of contacts associ
enables the student to communicate messages with the 25 ated with the student . The plurality of contacts may com
student-selected contact and the mandatory contact. The prise any of the contact types disclosed herein . The student
user interface may be any of those depicted herein , e. g . may be associated with a set of student' s contacts compris
interfaces provided for chatting, posting updates , etc . ing a first contact associated with the first course and a
In some embodiments , the user interface may enable the second contact.
student to selectively communicate messages with the stu - 30 A networking service in communication with the server
dent-selected contact and mandatory contact during a learn - may be configured to display to the student, within the
ing session . For example , a user may send or receive learning environment , a first activity stream associated with
messages, updates , chats, feed information , status updates, the first contact and a second activity stream associated with
presence updates, or any other communication from the the second contact, wherein upon detection of student' s
student- selected contact and / or the mandatory contact dur- 35 entry into the learning session , the first activity stream is
ing a learning session . For example , the communications displayed without displaying the second activity stream . For
could be the updates depicted in FIG . 7 . example , a user may be enrolled in and receive activity
In some embodiments , the one or more instructional stream updates from contacts in four classes. The system
materials are associated with a course of study , and the may detect that a user is currently working on a lessons for
mandatory contact is associated with a course contact. For 40 a first class , and based on that information , remove from the
example , the mandatory contact may be associated with activity stream updates from the other three classes . When
another student taking the course , a course instructor the user later switches to working on lessons for a second
assigned to the course, an assessor of studentperformance in class , updates from the first class may be removed from
the course, a course developer assigned to the course , or any being displayed , and the activity stream updates from the
combination thereof. 45 second class may be displayed to the user. Although in this
Streams example the second activity stream is associated with a
A network computer system , such as the ones described second class, the second activity stream may be any activity
herein , may include social networking features that allow stream . For example , the activity stream may correspond to
students , faculty , or other users to communicate with one updates from a community , a circle , or any other organiza
other while using other features provided by the system . 50 tional structure recognized by the system .
When using the social networking services , a user may Many possible configurations for displaying the activity
receive updates about social networking contacts . Updates streams are possible . For example , upon detection of the
may include updates on other users ' chat statuses or new student' s exit from the learning session ( e . g . the student
information associated with other people . The updates may leaves the instructional material to visit a different class or
be displayed as a stream . In some embodiments , the updates 55 group ), the second activity stream may be displayed . The
may appear as a live stream , i.e ., in which new updates are second activity stream may be displayed concurrently with
displayed as they occur on a real-time basis , or, where users the displaying of the first activity stream , e.g . after the user
activities are streamed as soon as they happen . A stream may exited the learning session , the user 's contacts associated
display, for each update , the source of the update , who with learning session may be displayed with all of the other
posted the updated , the time of the update , a message, a 60 contacts of the student. Alternatively , the second activity
content item , or any combination thereof. The stream may be stream may displayed without displaying the first activity
displayed while users are interacting with other parts of the stream . The first activity stream may comprises a first
system . message from the first contact, the second activity stream
Because a stream may include an overwhelming amount may comprises a second message from the second contact,
of information , the items of a stream may be filtered . As 65 or any combination thereof. At least one of the first activity
discussed herein , a user may have the option of filtering stream or second activity stream may comprises a message
updates in the stream to include only those updates meeting transmitted from the student. The first activity stream may
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
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comprise a first status update from the first contact, the message may be transmitted from the first contact to the
second activity stream may comprise a second status update student, the second message may be transmitted from the
from the second contact , or any combination thereof. second contact to the student, or any combination thereof. A
The instructionalmaterialmay be concurrently displayed message corresponding to the second activity stream may be
with the first activity stream . For example , the user may 5 transmitted to the student upon detection of student's exit
view the activity stream of updates from classmates dis - from the learning session . At least one of the first activity
played on an interface while interacting with instructional stream or second activity stream may comprise a message
materials, e . g . a lecture , presentation , etc ., that are also transmitted from the student. The first activity stream may
displayed on the interface . comprise a first status update from the first contact, the
The first contact may be associated with another course 10 second activity stream comprises a second status update
student, a course instructor, a course performance assessor, from the second contact, or any combination thereof. The
a course developer, or a course administrator. The second first instructional material may be concurrently displayed
contact may be associated with a student- selected contact with the first activity stream , the second instructional mate
At least one of the first or second activity streams may rial may be concurrently displayed with the second activity
comprise a live stream , in which updates are received in a 15 stream , or any combination thereof. The first contact may be
real- time basis as they occur. A message corresponding to associated with another first course student, a first course
the second activity stream is transmitted to the student upon instructor, a first course performance assessor, a first course
detection of student's exit from the learning session . developer , or a first course administrator. The second contact
In some embodiments , a server, such as any of those may be associated with a second course student, a second
discussed herein ,may be configured to create a first learning 20 course instructor, a second course performance assessor, a
environment on a remote student workstation or accessible second course developer, or a second course administrator.
by a remote student workstation for delivery of a first The first activity stream may comprise a live stream , the
instructional material to a student after the server authenti- second activity stream or comprise a live stream , or any
cates a student login and a second learning environment on combination thereof.
the remote student workstation or accessible on the remote 25 Either type of filtering, i.e . filtering by the student or
student workstation for delivery of a second instructional filtering by the system , may allow the system to avoid
material to the student after the server authenticates the sending updates or buddy lists that are not being used
student log - in . The created first learning environment may because the updates or users have been filtered out. As a
display a first user interface to the student on the remote result, the system may avoid sending extraneous data
student workstation . The first user interface may be used to 30 regarding updates that the user will not even see.
interact with the first instructionalmaterial when the student Editing User Information
enters into a first learning session associated with the first FIG . 8 depicts an exemplary interface 800 in accordance
course . The created second learning environment may dis - with one or more embodiments . Interface 800 may include
play a second user interface to the student on the remote a “My Info ” section , which includes content area 805 , edit
student workstation . The second user interface may be used 35 profile tab 810 , public profile tab 845 , settings tab 850 , or
to interact with the second instructional material when the any combination thereof. Content area 805 may change
student enters into a second learning session associated with based on the current tabs selected . Edit profile tab 810 may
a second course . include general info tab 815 , activities tab 820 , education /
A database , such as any of those discussed herein , may work tab 825 , communities tab 830 , update record section
store electronic addresses for a plurality of contacts associ - 40 835 , and opt-out button 840 . When general info tab 815 is
ated with the student. The student may be associated with a selected , the user may be presented in content area 805 with
set of student' s contacts comprising a first contact associated options for changing information about the user ' s profile .
with the first course and a second contact associated with the The user may change or add a profile picture , whether the
second course . For example , the first contact may be a user 's location is displayed on the user 's public profile ,
classmate of the student in the first course, and the second 45 whether an " about me” section is displayed on the public
contact may be an instructor of the student in the second profile , and the information contained in an “ about me”
course . However, the first and second contacts could be any section . The user may also have the options of saving
type of contact associated with the first and second courses, changes, canceling the editing operations, or undoing the
respectively. latest changes . When activities tab 820 is selected , the user
A networking service in communication with the server 50 may be presented in content area 805 with options for
may be configured to display to the student, within the first changing information about the user ' s activities and inter
learning environment, a first activity stream associated with ests . The user may edit a description about the user' s
the first contact , and configured to display to the student, activities and interests , and whether or not to display this
within the second learning environment, a second activity information on the user 's public profile . The user may also
stream associated with the second contact . Upon detection 55 have the options of saving changes , canceling the editing
of student ' s entry into the first learning session , the first operations, or undoing the latest changes . When education /
activity stream may be displayed without displaying the work tab 825 is selected , the user may be presented in
second activity stream , and upon detection of student ' s entry content area 805 with options for changing information
into the second learning session, the second activity stream about the user 's educational background and work experi
may be displayed without displaying the first activity 60 ence . The user may edit a description about the user' s
stream . educational background, work experience , and whether or
This type of filtering may be implemented according to not to display the educational background and work history
one or more of the following configurations. In some on the user ' s public profile . The user may also have the
embodiments , the first activity stream may comprise a first options of saving changes, canceling the editing operations ,
message transmitted from the first contact, the second activ - 65 or undoing the latest changes . When communities tab 830 is
ity streams comprises a second message transmitted from selected , the user may be presented in content area 805 with
the second contact, or any combination thereof. The first the option of whether or not to display the user 's commu
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
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nities on the user' s public profile . The usermay also have the full-sized window . Quick add window 935 allows the user to
options of saving changes, canceling the editing operations, check one or many boxes associated with one or more
or undoing the latest changes . The user may also be pre - circles . The user can create a new circle by clicking on the
sented in content area 805 with a list of the communities to “ create new ” link , entering the nameof the new circle, and
which the user belongs . The list may include links to more 5 clicking save . After the user chooses one or more circles , the
specific information about the communities, e . g ., the official user selects save changes , and the contact is added to those
page for the community . When the public profile tab 845 is circles of the user. This mechanism for quickly and unob
selected , content area 805 may display the public profile of trusively placing contacts in circles allows users to update
the user. Displaying the public profile will be discussed in their circles without having to change the underlying content
conjunction with FIG . 9 . When the settings tab 850 is 10 windows. This allows users to continue performing activi
selected , content area 805 may display options for changing ties on educational system 200 with only a minimal inter
the user's preferences and settings. Managing the user's ruption of a few keystrokes to update their circles. Circles
preferences and settings will be discussed in conjunction module 430 may facilitate adding contacts to and managing
with FIGS. 10 - 13 . Interface 800 may include a taskbar item the user 's circles .
855 and a window control widget 860 . 15 Chat
Taskbar item 855 may be displayed in the taskbar of Chat module 425 may facilitating users chatting via
interface 800 and is a method for easily returning to the “My instant messaging sessions on educational system 200 . Chat
Info ” section . Window control widget 860 may be used to may be enabled by any chat protocol, including XMPP chat
close the “My Info ” section ,minimize the “My Info ” section protocol. When a user selects a link to chat with a contact,
such that taskbar item 855 is the only on -screen represen - 20 a chat window 940 may appear. Chat window 940 may
tation of the “My Info ” section , or scale the “My Info ” include chat history 945 and input field 950 . As the user
section into a window size smaller than the portion it is chats with a contact, the record of the chatmay be displayed
currently shown to occupy . Additional taskbar itemsmay be in chat history 945 . The user enters text or chat content into
used for other interface elements of educational system 200 . input field 950 . When the user presses the return key on the
For example , when a course is open , the course may have a 25 keyboard , the message entered into input field 950 is sent to
taskbar item associated with it. An example is disclosed in the contact.
FIG . 14 , taskbar item 1415 . Asmore content pages are open , Security Settings
additional taskbar itemsmay be added to the taskbar. Simi FIG . 10 depicts an exemplary interface 1000 in accor
larly , window control widget 860 may be used with other dance with one or more embodiments . Interface 1000 may
content pages in the manner disclosed herein . 30 include a password tab 1010 , a content area 1015 , a set of
Public Profile options 1020 , a security questions tab 1030 , a virtual com
FIG . 9 depicts an exemplary interface 900 in accordance munity tab 1040 , or any combination thereof. Selecting
with one or more embodiments . Interface 900 may include password tab 1010 , security questions tab 1030 , or virtual
content section 905 and contactwidget 970 . Content section community tab 1040 may change the content displayed in
905 may display the public profile for a user of the system . 35 content area 1015 . When password tab 1010 is selected , a
The public profile for a user may include any combination manage password screen may be displayed in content area
information viewable by other members of the system . In 1015 . The manage password screen may include a field to
one embodiment, the public profile may include a user 's enter a current password , a new password , and a field to
name, email address, track or tracks of study , course year, re - enter the password . Content area 1015 may also include
location , description , " about me,” activities, interests , and 40 a set of password options 1020 , which may include the
communities. The public profile for a user may be displayed option to create the new password or an option to cancel and
when a user clicks on the user in the social pane or update clear the form . When a user enters the current correct
stream . For example , clicking on user 920 may cause that password , the new and re - entered passwords match , and the
user 's public profile to be displayed in content section 905 . create new password option is chosen , policies module 445
Contact widget 970 may provide links to differentways of 45 will change the user 's password to the new password
contacting the person associated with the contact widget entered .
970 . Contact widget 970 may include links to initiate FIG . 11 depicts an exemplary interface 1100 in accor
sending an email to the user, starting a chat with the user , or d ance with one or more embodiments . Interface 1100 may
adding the user to a circle . Contact widget 970 may be include a security questions tab 1105 , a content area 1110 , a
associated with any user and may appear alongside content 50 set of options 1115 , or any combination thereof. Selecting
of any page displayed by educational system 200 . security questions tab 1105 may change the content dis
When a user hovers over an entry in the social pane or played in content area 1110 . When security questions tab
update stream , a summary window 930 may be displayed . 1105 is selected , a manage security questions screen may be
Summary window 930 may display a user 's picture , name, displayed in content area 1110 . The manage security ques
status, area of study, any other information available to other 55 tions screen may include a field to enter a current password ,
users in the system , or any combination thereof. Summary one or more drop down menus that enable a user to select
window 930 may also display buttons that, when selected , different security questions, and one or more fields to answer
enable a user to view the user ' s profile , chat with the user questions that of the corresponding drop down menus.
initiate sending an email to the user, or adding the user to a Content area 1110 may also include a set of security question
circle . In some embodiments , summary window 930 may be 60 options 1115 , which may include the option to save changes
displayed anytime a user hovers over another user 's name or an option to cancel and clear the form . When a user enters
anywhere on the site . the current correct password and a set of answers to the
Simultaneous Add and Designate Contacts selected security questions , policies module 445 will store
Summary window 930 may include link for quickly the user 's answers to the security questions.
adding a contact to a particular circle . When the add to 65 FIG . 12 depicts an exemplary interface 1200 in accor
contact link is selected , quick add window 935 may appear . dance with one or more embodiments . FIG . 13 depicts
Quick add window 935 may be displayed as a pop - up or exemplary interface 1300 in accordance with one or more
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
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embodiments . Interface 1200 may include virtual commu frame, any other information associated with discussions for
nity tab 1205 , content area 1210 , opt out button 1220 , or any the course during the timeframe, or any combination thereof.
combination thereof. When a user selects opt out button When assignments tab 1428 is selected , content area 1410
1220 , the user may be presented with the opt out screen 1305 displays the course materials associated with assignments
from interface 1300 . Opt out screen 1305 may provide 5 for the timeframe, which may include a list of assignments
notice to the user about the process of opting -out of the for the timeframe, learning outcomes , any other information
virtual communities, and asks for a confirmation in order to associated with assignments for the timeframe, or any com
opt out. If a user opts out of the virtual communities, one or bination thereof. When reflection tab 1430 is selected ,
more of the following may occur: the user may be auto content area 1410 displays the course materials associated
matically removed from any of the communities that the 10 with reflections for the timeframe. When content review tab
user joined ; or the user 's name will be listed as anonymous 1432 is selected , content area 1410 displays the course
on any social stream communities, posts , and activities . materials associated with content reviews for the timeframe,
When the user confirms an opt out of the virtual commu- which may include tests , quizzes , reviews, any other infor
nities , communities module 420 sets the data in the social mation associated with reviews for the timeframe, or any
network database 235 to reflect those changes. 15 combination thereof.
Classroom Sites Student Services
FIG . 14 depicts an exemplary interface 1400 in accor FIG . 15 depicts an exemplary interface 1500 in accor
dance with one or more embodiments . Interface 1400 dance with one or more embodiments . FIG . 16 depicts an
depicts a classroom site in accordance with one or more exemplary interface 1600 in accordance with one or more
embodiments. Interface 1400 may include a class identifier 20 embodiments . FIG . 17 depicts an exemplary interface 1700
1405 , a content area 1410 , a taskbar item 1415 , an overview in accordance with one or more embodiments . FIG . 18
tab 1420 , a schedule tab 1422 , a resources tab 1424 , a depicts an exemplary interface 1800 in accordance with one
discussion tab 1426 , an assignments tab 1428 , a reflection or more embodiments . Interfaces 1500 , 1600 , 1700 , and
tab 1430 , a content review tab 1432, a timeframe selector 1800 depict various embodiments of a student services site .
1440 , a font scaler widget 1450, or any combination thereof. 25 Interface 1500 may include content area 1510 . When
Class identifier 1405 indicates the current course selected . resources link 1505 is selected , content area 1510 may
Content area 1410 displays the course materials associated display information about or links to student services . In
with the currently selected tab . Taskbar item 1415 may be some embodiments the student services information
used to access the classroom site when the site is minimized includes links to the library , tutoring and mentoring services,
or hidden by other sites . Timeframe selector 1440 may be 30 IT services , disability services , health center, residence halls
used to indicate the current selected time frame. In some and dining, and campus safety information .
embodiments , the timeframe is a week and timeframe selec - Interface 1600 may include content area 1610 . When
tor 1440 will display the number ofweeks in the course with registration link 1605 is selected , content area 1610 may
links to each week ' s materials. The timeframemay be any display information about or links to registration services. In
measure of time, including days , weeks, months, years , or 35 some embodiments the registration services information
semesters . The tabs may correspond to the materials for a includes links to course registration , adding and dropping
selected timeframe. In some embodiments , the timeframe is courses, academic catalogs , academic calendars , class
a week and the tabs will show the materials limited to the schedules, and course materials.
selected week . For example, interface 1400 shows tabs Interface 1700 may include content area 1710 . When
corresponding to a weekly timeframe. Timeframe selector 40 finances link 1705 is selected , content area 1710 may display
1440 may also be used to jump to a specific timeframe in the information about or links to financial services . In some
course . For example , if a user selected the “ 2 ' in the embodiments the financial services information includes
timeframe indicator 1440 , content area 1410 may display links to tuition and fee information , net price calculator,
content associated with week 2 . Further, the tabs may contact the financial aid office , payment options, and schol
display indicia representing week 2 instead of week 8 . Font 45 arship information .
scaler widget 1450 may be used to increase or decrease the Interface 1800 may include content area 1810 . When
size of the font of the content displayed on the classroom student records link 1805 is selected , content area 1810 may
site . display information about or links to student records ser
When overview tab 1420 is selected , content area 1410 vices . In some embodiments the student records services
displays the course materials associated with an overview 50 information includes links to change password or security
for the timeframe, which may include an overview for the questions, update addresses and phone numbers, emergency
timeframe, learning outcomes, any other information asso - contact, name changes , social security number changes,
ciated with an overview for the timeframe, or any combi- view email address , grades and transcripts , external portfolio
nation thereof. When schedule tab 1422 is selected , content settings or information , and internal portfolio settings or
area 1410 displays the course materials associated with a 55 information .
schedule for the timeframe, which may include a schedule of Community Searching and Creation
classes, a schedule of assignments, a schedule for resources, FIG . 19 depicts an exemplary interface 1900 in accor
dues dates, any other information associated with a schedule dance with one or more embodiments . Interface 1900 may
for the timeframe, or any combination thereof. When include a community list tab 1905 , a create a community tab
resources tab 1424 is selected , content area 1410 displays 60 1910 , search field 1915 , content area 1920 , or any combi
the course materials associated with resources for the time- nation thereof. When community list tab 1905 is selected ,
frame, which may include readings , optional resources, any content area 1920 may display search field 1915 and a list of
other information associated with resources for the time communities . The list of communities may include the
frame, or any combination thereof. When discussion tab community names , descriptions, pictures, any information
1426 is selected , content area 1410 displays the course 65 associated with the community , or any combination thereof.
materials associated with a discussion for the timeframe, Clicking on one of the listed communities may take the user
which may include an discussions associated with the time to a community page . The details of the community pages
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
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are detailed in the description of FIGS. 21-23 . As a user include content area 2305 , members tab 2310 , chat icon
enters text into search field 1915 , the list of communities 2320 , email icon 2330 , circles icon 2340 , quick add window
displayed in content area 1920 may be filtered to display 2350, or combinations thereof. When members tab 2310 is
only those communities that meet the search criteria . selected , content area 2305 may display information about
FIG . 20 depicts an exemplary interface 2000 in accor- 5 themembers of the group . In some embodiments , a roster of
dance with one or more embodiments . Interface 2000 may the members of the group is displayed . The roster includes
include content area 2010 , create a community tab 2015 , pictures of each of the group members , names of the group
button 2020 , or combinations thereof. When create a com members , descriptions of the group members , chat icon
munity tab 2015 is selected , content area 2010 may display 2320 , email icon 2330 , and circles icon 2340 . Selecting chat
a set of input fields with descriptions for creating a new 10 icon 2320 may start a chat associated with chat icon 2320 .
community . The user may have the option to enter a name Selecting email icon 2330 may initiate the process of
for the community , add a picture for the community , add a sending an email to the user associated with email icon
description for the community in the input fields displayed 2330 . Selecting circle icon 2340 may cause a quick add
in content area 2010 . The user may select the button 2020 , window 2350 to appear. Quick add window 2350 may
which may instruct educational system 200 to create a 15 function identically to quick add window 935 as previously
community based on the information entered into the input described herein .
fields displayed in content area 2010 . Course Navigator
Community Sites FIG . 24 depicts an exemplary interface 2400 in accor
FIG . 21 depicts an exemplary interface 2100 in accor - dance with one or more embodiments . Interface 2400 may
dance with one or more embodiments. Interface 2100 may 20 include course navigator window 2405 , slider 2410 , num
include content area 2105 , community picture 2110 , social bered links 2415 , thumbnails 2420 , or any combination
learn tab 2115 , about tab 2120 , members tab 2125 , leave/join thereof. Thumbnails 2420 may include one or more thumb
community button 2130 , or combinations thereof. When nail images or video that each represent a unit of a timeframe
social learn tab 2115 is selected , content area 2105 may for the course. For example, as shown in interface 2400 ,
display social learning content. The social learning content 25 each image of thumbnails 2420 may represent a week in a
are posts specific to the community . The posts may be course . The unit of a timeframemay be any measure of time.
created by the entering information into a text field in Clicking on or selecting any of the images of thumbnails
content area 2105 and either entering a keyboard return or 2420 may redirect the user to a course page associated with
selecting a post button in the content area 2105 . A list of the unit of time of the course associated with the image.
previous posts may be displayed in content area 2105 . 30 When slider 2410 is moved by the user , thumbnails 2420
The functionality of the leave/ join community button changes to reflect the movement of slider 2410 . For
2130 may depend on the user's status. If a user is already a example , when slider 2410 is moved one increment to the
member of the community , leave /join community button right, the next image of thumbnails 2420 may move to the
2130 will display text or a graphic indicating that the button foreground of course navigator window 2405 and may
may be used to leave the community . In this case , when the 35 increase in size. The previous foreground image may
user selects the leave/ join community button 2130 , a request decrease in size to reflect that it is not the focus designated
is sent to the educational system 200 and communities by slider 2410 .
module 420 to remove the user from the community . Edu - Numbered links 2415 may allow a user to navigate to a to
cational system 200 or an administrator may decide whether a course page associated with the point in time of the course
to allow the user to be removed from the community and 40 associated with item selected . For example , as shown in
whether to remove the user from the community . If a user is interface 2400 , the number of weeks of the course are
not a member of the community , leave /join community displayed in numbered links 2415 . If the user were to click
button 2130 will display text or a graphic indicating that the on or select 8 , the user would be redirected to the portion of
button may be used to join the community . In this case, when the course page containing materials for week 8 . Numbered
the user selects the leave/ join community button 2130 , a 45 links 2415 may allow students that are unable to interact
request is sent to the educational system 200 and commu - with slider 2410 or thumbnails 2420 , such as students with
nities module 420 to add the user to the community . Edu- disabilities, to easily and directly access course materials for
cational system 200 or an administrator may decide whether a given timeframe.
to allow the user to join the community and whether to add Calendar Dashboard
the user to the community . 50 FIG . 25 depicts an exemplary interface 2500 in accor
Interface 2100 may include scroll buttons 2140 and 2145 . dance with one or more embodiments . Interface 2500 may
Scrollbars may always be displayed or may only be dis - include calendar dashboard 2510 , calendar icon 2520 ,
played when there are too many taskbar items displayed in details window 2522 , status bar 2525 , progress bar 2530 ,
the taskbar to be viewed at the same time. Scroll buttons download button 2535 , help button 2550 , video display
2140 and 2145 may be used on any of the sites described 55 2560 , or any combination thereof. Calendar dashboard 2510
herein in the same manner as described regarding interface may display a calendar. The calendar may display items
2100 . using any timeframe with any number of subdivisions,
FIG . 22 depicts an exemplary interface 2200 in accor including but not limited to showing a week divided by days ,
dance with one or more embodiments. Interface 2200 may a month divided by days , a day divided by hours , or any
include content area 2205 , about tab 2210 , or combinations 60 number of days divided by days , e. g., 3 days shown in day
thereof. When about tab 2210 is selected , content area 2205 segments. For example , interface 2500 displays a week 3 of
may display information about the community . Information a course divided by days . Presenting course materials in a
about the club may include the name of the community , a calendar format helps students to manage their assigned
picture symbolizing the community, information about the work throughout each week of the course .
owner assigned to the community, or combinations thereof. 65 Calendar dashboard 2510 may display one or more cal
FIG . 23 depicts an exemplary interface 2300 in accor- endar icons , of which calendar icon 2520 is an example .
dance with one or more embodiments. Interface 2300 may Each calendar icon may include the properties or features
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discussed herein regarding calendar icon 2520 . Calendar with the elements described in interface 2500 , progress bar
icon 2520 may have a graphic that indicates the type of 2530 may change to reflect the corresponding change in
content associated with calendar icon 2520 . For example, progress .
interface 2500 depicts three types of graphics: a book, a Download button 2535 may be displayed anywhere on
video screen , and a paper and pencil. Each of these graphics 5 calendar dashboard 2510. When download button 2535 is
may correspond to an activity . For example , the book may selected , educational system 200 may provide the user with
correspond to a reading , the video screen may correspond to Fora set of materials for the selected timeframe to download.
a video , and the paper and pencil may correspond to an download example , in interface 2500 the user may receive a
assignment or exercise . The graphic displayed by calendar of all the course materials associated with week 3 .
icon 2520 may include these graphics or any other graphics 10 assignments
The download may include a checklist that lists all of the
or activities associated with the timeframe, a
that correspond activities associated with the course mate zipped file of all of the available course materials associated
rials . with the timeframe, or any combination thereof. The ability
Calendar icon 2520 may include a badge. A badge may be to easily and quickly download course materials with as
an indicator attached to calendar icon 2520 that displays 15 little as one click is particularly useful for users that may
additional information , including a number, text, an icon , or have limited access to the network or lack reliable network
any combination thereof. For example, in interface 2500 access . The ability to efficiently download course materials
calendar icon 2520 includes a badge with the number 62 for a given timeframe also allows the user to utilize the
therein . A number within the badge may indicate the number materials without having to be connected to educational
of items of the type of course material associated with 20 system 200 .
calendar icon 2520 that have yet to be completed , that have When help button 2550 is selected , educational system
yet to be started , or any combination thereof. For example , 200 may provide the user with access to tutorials about the
in interface 2500 the badge on calendar icon 2520 may interface . The tutorials may take the form of videos, web
indicate that there are two assignments due and that have not pages, documents , or any combination thereof. The tutorials
been completed on Wednesday of week 3 . Information about 25 may be accessible to users anytime throughout the academic
the status of course materials, including the amount of program , not only during the student orientation .
interaction a user has had with the course materials, may be Video display 2560 may provide the user access to
stored in course material database 220 , student database 225 , featured videos . Featured videos may be videos or content
portfolio database 230 , or any combination thereof. Educa - that are particularly relevant to the material associated with
tional system 200 may update a user 's status regarding 30 the selected timeframe displayed in calendar dashboard
course materials as the user interacts with or makes changes 2510 . Educational system 200 may change the featured
to the course materials . Because progress information is videos shown in video display 2560 based on the user 's
stored by educational system 200 , users can work on mul progress , changes in course materials , the user' s interactions
tiple computers and in multiple browsers and receive accu - with elements in interface 2500 ,or any combination thereof.
rate and up -to - date information about their progress . 35 A link may be present on any of the pages described
Selecting or clicking calendar icon 2520 may cause herein that allows the user to toggle between two or more of
details window 2522 to be displayed . Details window 2522 the course home panel, calendar dashboard , course list view ,
may contain a checklist of the activities associated with any other course viewing page described herein , or any
calendar icon 2520. For example , in interface 2500 details combination thereof.
window 2522 may display the two assignments associated 40 Calendar icon 2520 may be moveable by the user any
with calendar icon 2520 . If the user clicks on the box where in interface 2500 by the user. For example , in inter
containing the activity, a check may appear in the box face 2500 the user may click on calendar icon 2520 and use
associated with the activity , the badge on calendar icon 2520 a mouse or any other input device or technique to move
may be decremented to reflect the change in the number of calendar icon 2520 to another day. The user may move
outstanding items or disappear complete if all the items 45 calendar icon 2520 so that the user can schedule course
associated with calendar icon 2520 have been completed , activities at a time more conducive to the user 's wants or
progress bar 2530 may be updated to reflect the change in needs. A user may move calendar icon 2520 to any day , the
status of the activity , educational system 200 may store the user may be limited to moving calendar icon 2520 to a time
status in one of the databases , or any combination thereof. earlier than the previously scheduled time, or any combina
Selecting an already completed activity may have the 50 tion thereof.
reverse effect of incrementing the number on the badge , The user may create one or more additional calendar
updating progress bar 2530 to reflect the change in status of items to the schedule displayed in interface 2500 . For
the activity , educational system 200 may store the status in example , the user may have an important event, like the
one of the databases , or any combination thereof. Addition - user 's mother' s birthday, on Saturday . The user may press a
ally or alternatively , clicking on calendar icon 2520 may 55 button to start the creation of another calendar item . The user
cause the user to open the related content in a new window may then specify a date , time, name, location , any other
or tab . event or activity information , or any combination thereof.
Status bar 2525 may include a set of calendar icons that The system will then create a calendar icon corresponding to
represent types of activities that are associated with the the entered information . The user may create additional
timeframe. For example , in interface 2500 there are two 60 calendar itemsevent so that the user has a better idea of how
calendar icons representing two types of activities associated to schedule course events , and how to manage the user' s
with week 3 . Progress bar 2530 may indicate a user 's time to best meet the course objectives as well as personal
progress in completing activities. Progress bar 2530 may commitments .
indicate the user 's progress with activities associated with Course Home Panel
the currently selected timeframe, another timeframe, prog - 65 FIG . 26 depicts an exemplary interface 2600 in accor
ress in the course , or any combination thereof. As a user dance with one ormore embodiments . Interface 2600 may
interacts with educational system 200 , including interacting include content display 2610 , navigation bar 2620 , progress
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display 2630 , or combinations thereof. Navigation bar 2620 nation of features described in section entitled “ Laureate
may provide a set of links representing a home link to Classroom Navigator and Weekly Dashboard Functional
content overview , links to each unit, or any combination Specifications."
thereof. A unit may represent a portion or a segment of a Many of the techniques described herein have focused on
timeframe Content display 2610 may display content asso - 5 displaying information specific to a particular course . In
ciated with the unit or timeframe selected in navigation bar thesome embodiments , the information displayed using any of
2620 . Progress display 2630 may display a user's progress logical display formats described herein may display any other
grouping of information . For example , a studentmay
in completing activities associated with a unit or all of the view a number of courses and course activities when using
units. Progress display 2630 may indicate the user's prog 10 the calendar dashboard , course home panel, course list view ,
ress with activities associated with the currently selected any other interface described
unit, another unit , progress in the course, or any combination thereof. herein , or any combination
thereof. As a user interacts with educational system 200 , Portfolios
including interacting with the elements described in inter Educational system 200 may allow an entity access to
face 2600 , progress display 2630 may change to reflect the 15 portions of a student' s educational history . The portfolio
corresponding change in progress. may be a collection or summary of a student' s work or
Course List View educational history. In some embodiments , the portfolio
FIG . 27 depicts an exemplary interface 2700 in accor would not include all aspects of a student's history , but only
dance with one or more embodiments . Interface 2700 a summary of the studer
student' s history .
includes progress display 2710 , activity summary display 20 Educational system 200 may provide an external portfolio
2720 , badge 2730 , pop -out button 2740 , or any combination web site having a URL or other form of internet address. The
thereof. Progress display 2710 may display a user' s progress U RL or internet address may be specific to a student or
in completing activities associated with a unit or all of the provide general access to student portfolios. A student could
units . Progress display 2710 may indicate the user 's prog - use the external portfolio web site to share the student' s
ress with activities associated with the currently selected 25 portfolio with an entity . In some embodiments , the entity
unit , another unit, progress in the course , or any combination could be an employer, a potential employer, another learning
thereof. As a user interacts with educational system 200 , institution , alumni, friends, family , any party interested in
including interacting with the elements described in inter- learning about the student's achievements , or combinations
face 2700 , progress display 2710 may change to reflect the thereof. An entity may use the URL or internet address to
corresponding change in progress. 30 access the external portfolio web site . The entity may need
Activity summary display 2720 may display a number of to supply credentials , including a username, password , PKI,
types of activities . The types of activities may include any or combination thereof to access the portfolio associated
instructional content or activity offered by educational sys - with the URL or internet address . The credentials may be
tem 200. Examples of activities include viewing an intro - associated with a particular student. The studentmay supply
duction , readings , media , check your knowledge exercises , 35 the credentials to the entity . Policies module 445 may
shared activities , and individual assignments . Selecting a compare the entered credentials associated with the URL ,
type activity displayed in activity summary display 2720 internet address, or student with credentials associated with
may cause the user to be directed to a page that includes the the URL , internet address, or student in security database
materials associated with the activity type . 240 . If the credentials match , the entity may be provided
Each type of activity displayed may include a badge 2730 . 40 access to an web site displaying the student's portfolio .
Badge 2730 may display additional information , including a External portfolio module 455 may manage the aspects
number, text, an icon , or any combination thereof. For related to providing an external portfolio as described
example , in interface 2700 badge 2730 has a number “ 3 ” herein .
within it. A number within the badge may indicate the Several benefits are provided by providing access to a
number of items of the type of course material associated 45 portfolio to an entity . First, the entity would not have to rely
activity type that have yet to be completed , that have yet to on a student- supplied resume but could instead access a
be started , or any combination thereof. For example , in institution -supplied record of student work and progress .
interface 2700 badge 2730 may indicate that there are three Second , because the information would be managed by the
individual assignments due and that have not been com institution , the site and portfolio would not be subject to
pleted for Unit 1 . Information about the status of course 50 falsification and would provide an authoritative record to the
materials, including the amount of interaction a user has had entity about the student.
with the course materials, may be stored in course material Educational system 200 may provide an internal portfolio
database 220 , student database 225 , portfolio database 230 , web site having a URL to users of the system . An internal
or any combination thereof. Educational system 200 may portfolio may store all of the materials a user has worked on
update a user ' s status regarding course materials as the user 55 for courses. Through the internal portfolio web site , a user
interacts with or makes changes to the course materials. can share portions of the portfolios with other users. A user
Because progress information is stored by educational sys- may be presented with an interface that allows the user to
tem 200 , users can work on multiple computers and in select, for each potential portfolio element, whether the item
multiple browsers and receive accurate and up -to - date infor - is included or excluded from the portfolio to share . Each
mation about their progress . 60 user may create any number of portfolios to share. A user,
When selected , pop -out button 2740 may cause the con - community , or circle may create portfolios to share . A user ,
tent currently being viewed in the pane associated with the community , or circle may share portfolios with another user,
pop - out button 2740 to be displayed in a new browser community , circle , or combinations thereof. The same tech
window or tab . Pop - outbutton 2740 may be present on and niques for ranking, commenting on , and distributing educa
used with any of the pages described herein . 65 tional content described in Laureate Education Inc.'s U . S .
In some embodiments , the calendar dashboard , course Patent Publication No. 2009 -0311658 A1 may be used to
home panel , and course list view may include any combi- rank , comment on , and distribute portfolios. Users may rank
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29 30
or comment on the usefulness of shared portfolio material, The educational system may also translate course mate
which provides the benefit of allowing users to quickly rials or communications from a first user in a first language
identify the most useful or most relevant shared portfolio into second language for a second user. The system may
material. review any or all of the communications in system and may
Worldwide Integration 5 determine that the first user is communicating in a first
Connection layer module 450 may manage the connection language based on the communications coming from the
first user or from language settings associated with the first
between a network of institutions.As discussed above in the user
context of educational system 200, the network of institu . The system may also determine that the second user is
tions may include foreign and domestic institutions. Conf 10 nications comingin from
communicating a second language based on the commu
nection layer module 450 may manage the interactions of settings associated withthethesecond user or from language
second user. If the system
users in different institutions or countries based on rules determines that the first and second languages are different,
stored in student database 225 , socialnetwork database 235 , the system may use machine translation techniques to trans
or security database 240 . In one embodiment, all users maylate messages from the first user into the second language for
freely communicate with all other users . 15 the second user, to translate messages from the second user
In other embodiments , a user may be restricted in a into the first language for the first user, or any combination
manner from communicating with another user. The restric t
tions may be based on rules or flags set store in student The education system may comprise a server, a database ,
database 225 , social network database 235 , or security and a networking service . The server may be configured to
database 240. The rules or flags may include prohibiting 20 create corresponding learning environments on a plurality of
interactions, chatting, viewing profiles, viewing stream geographically dispersed remote student workstations
updates, any other interaction made possible by education located in a plurality of regions for delivery of instructional
system 200, or any combination thereof. The restriction may material from the server to a corresponding plurality of
be based on a user 's age , location , nationality, course of students after the server authenticates student log- ins. For
study, progress , institutional policy , any information stored 25 example , a first studentmay be located in a first region , e . g .
in the databases of the system , or any combination thereof. USA , a second student may be located in a second region ,
For example , connection layer module 450 may prevent e .g . Russia , a third student may be located in a third region ,
users from two separate countries from seeing each other ' s e .g . Chile , and so on . The region may be any of a country ,
presence on educational system 200 . In another example, the nation , state , region , province , any geographically identifi
connection layer module 450 may prevent users over a 30 able area, or any combination thereof. A region may also be
certain age from chatting with users under the certain age . an area defined by a language spoken in the region, by
Connection layer module 450 may translate communica - religion , by ethnicity , etc . Each of the created learning
tions from a first user in a first language into second environments may display a user interface on a remote
language for a second user. Connection layer module 450 student workstation located in a region of the plurality of
may review any or all of the communications in educational 35 regions.
system 200 . Connection layer module 450 may determine The database may store a plurality of region profiles . Each
that the first user is communicating in a first language based region profile may contain information specifying rules
on the communications coming from the first user or from associated with communication of information between a
language settings associated with the second user. Connec - first region and another second region .
tion layer module 450 may determine that the second user is 40 The networking service may be in communication with
communicating in a second language based on the commu- the server and may be configured to communicate messages
nications coming from the second user or from language amongst the geographically dispersed remote student work
settings associated with the second user. If the connection stations located in the plurality of regions in accordance with
layer module 450 determines that the first and second the plurality of region profiles . The message may be any type
languages are different, the connection layer module 450 45 of message or communication , including any of those dis
may use machine translation techniques to transfer messages cussed herein . For example , the messages may include at
from the first user into the second language for the second least one of a message from a student, a message to a
user, to transfer messages from the second user into the first student, a student profile , a status of a student, a stream
language for the first user , or any combination thereof. update , or an instructional material.
An online learning management system , such as any of 50 The profiles provide flexibility in being able to craft
those described herein , may provide courses to users that policies specific to various regions, and several possible
speak different languages or are located in different coun - configurations are possible . A rule of at least one region
tries around the world . Based on differences between laws in profile may prevent communication ofmessages between a
different regions, business reasons, or other considerations, first student in a first course and a second student in a second
a user may be restricted in a manner from communicating 55 course . A rules of at least one region profile may prevent
with another user. The restrictions may be based on rules or communication ofmessages between a first student in a first
flags stored by the system . The rules or flags may include region and a second student in a second region . A rule of at
prohibiting interactions, chatting , viewing profiles, viewing least one region profile may prevent communication of
stream updates, any other interaction made possible by the messages between a first student of a first educational
system . The restriction may be based on a user' s age , 60 institution and a second student of a second educational
location , nationality, course of study, progress, institutional institution . For example , students from a first college may be
policy, or any other information stored in the databases of prevented from interacting with students in a second college .
the system . For example , the system may prevent users from rule of at least one region profile may prevent communi
two separate countries from seeing each other ' s presence on cation ofmessages between a student over a certain age and
the educational system . In another example , the system may 65 a student under the certain age. A rule of at least one region
prevent users over a certain age from chatting with users profile may prevent communication ofmessages between a
under the certain age . first country and a second country .
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A rule of at least one region profile may cause a message replace , or delete the communication . Further,policiesmod
in a first language of a first region to be translated into a ule 445 may send a communication to an instructor or user
second language of a second region . The message may be that the unauthorized communication has been detected . The
translated using a machine translation technique, and may sent communication may also include an indication of the
occur in real-time. For example,messages of a chat session 5 unauthorized object that had been shared .
between two users speaking different languages may be Cheating Prevention
translated by the system during the chat session . Similarly , An online learning management system , such as any of
updates to a stream or activity stream may be translated so those described herein , may include social networking fea
that the stream displays the translated messages. Language tures that allow students , faculty, or other users to commu
settings for the user may be set in the user profile . nicate with one other while using other features provided by
Policies for Filtering or Analyzing Communications the system . The system may include a policy that specifies
Policies module 445 may implement policies to filter
information that is posted or groups that are created for objects that are unauthorized content. Unauthorized content
inappropriate content. Policies module 445 may receive a may include test answers , tests , course materials , or assign
policy that is stored in student database 225 social network 15 ments . The system may monitor any or all of the commu
database 235 , or security database 240 . The policy may nications in the system , and if the communication contains
specify topics or words that are inappropriate content. Poli objects that are unauthorized content, the system may alter,
cies module 445 may review any or all of the communica redact , remove, replace , or delete the communication . Fur
tions in educational system 200 , and if the communication ther, the system may send a communication to an instructor
contains inappropriate content as defined by the policy , 20 or user that the unauthorized communication has been
policies module 445 may alter, redact, remove , replace , or detected . The sent communication may also include an
delete the communication . indication of the unauthorized object that had been shared .
Policies module 445 may analyze communications to The learning management system may comprise a server,
identify topics that students are confused out. In some such as any of those described herein , configured to create
embodiments , policies module 445 may receive a topic that 25 a learning environment on a remote student workstation or
is stored in student database 225 , social network database accessible by a remote station for delivery of instructional
235 , or security database 240 . Policies module 445 may material to a student after the server authenticates a student
review any or all of the communications in educational log-in . The created learning environment may display a user
system 200 , and if a number of communications exceeds a interface , such as any of those described herein , to the
threshold, the policies module 445 may identify the topic as 30 student
st on the remote student workstation . The user inter
a topic of confusion . face may be used to interact with an instructional material
In other embodiments, policies module may determine
topics by summarizing content provided one ormore users . when the student enters into a learning session associated
If a number of instances of topics exceeds a threshold , the with a course .
policies module 445 may identify the topic as a topic of 35 A networking service in communication with the server
confusion . Alternatively , the content of the system may also may communicate messages to or from the student from
be analyzed by using the summarization techniques within the learning environment. The messages may com
described herein . All or portions of the content of educa prise any type of communication or message , include any of
tional system 200 , including but not limited to course those or any combination of those described herein . The
materials, posts , contacts, and emails ,may be summarized to 40 communication ofmessages with the student may be moni
provide a number of instances of topics of the educational tored to determine whether a message contains an unauthor
system 200. If the number of topics exceeds a threshold , and ized content. Unauthorized content may be any item speci
the threshold is given as a different between the number of fied by the system as content that is not authorized to be
instances of a topic detected content provided by one or transmitted . Not being authorized may be depended on the
more users and the number of instances of a topic detected 45 content itself, the potential recipient of the content or
when summarizing content of the system , the policiesmod message , the transmitter of the content or message , or any
ule 445 may identify the topic as a topic of confusion . combination thereof.
If a topic of confusion is identified , policies module 445 Several possible actionsmay be taken by the system after
my send a communication through educational system 200 . detecting unauthorized content in messages . The message
The communication may include an email, a post to a 50 containing the unauthorized content may be deleted , the
stream , a post to a community , a chat with a user, any message containing the unauthorized content may be
communication type available for users of the system , or any redacted , the unauthorized contentmay be deleted from the
combination thereof. The communication may be received message prior to being received by the recipient, the unau
by a user , an instructor, or educational system 200 . thorized content may be redacted from the message prior to
Policies module 445 may discover unauthorized commu - 55 being received by the recipient, or any combination thereof.
nication between students . The unauthorized communica - Upon detection of an unauthorized content, an alert mes
tion may include cheating , sharing answers, sharing assign - sage may be transmitted . For example, an alertmessage may
ments , sharing other course materials , or any combination be transmitted to an instructor associated with the course , an
thereof. Policies module 445 may receive a policy that is assessor associated with the course , a faculty member asso
stored in student database 225 , social network database 235 , 60 ciated with the course , a course developer associated with
or security database 240 . The policy may specify objects that the course , a or any combination thereof. Additionally or
are unauthorized content. Unauthorized contentmay include alternatively, the alert may be transmitted to the student .
test answers, tests , course materials, assignments , or any The alert may contain one or more of the following: the
combination thereof. Policies module 445 may review any unauthorized content, the identity of the sender, the identity
or all of the communications in educational system 200 , and 65 of the intended recipient, the identity of any user that may
if the communication contains objects that are unauthorized have been exposed to the message and /or unauthorized
content, policies module 445 may alter , redact, remove , content, or time and / or date of the communication .
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Calendaring Based on Reference Date reference calendar for completion of the learning activity
An online learning management system , such as any of relative to a reference date . The reference calendar may
those described herein , may provide courses to users . The specify a reference due date for completing a learning
courses may be structured to have particular learning activi- activity associated with a learning unit of the sequence of
ties performed by the users by particular deadlines , e . g . 5 learning units , in which the reference due date is relative to
turning in homework by a certain time, taking a test before the reference date . For example , as discussed above , a
a certain date, completing reading assignments , etc . In order learning activity may be associated with a reference due date
to provide flexibility in implementing courses with poten - of the second week of a course . A learning activity may be
tially varying start dates , the system may include a course an assignment associated with a learning unit.
framework that includes relative deadlines for when tasks 10 FIG . 28 depicts exemplary calendars in accordance with
are due . The course frameworksmay resemble those used in one or more embodiments . FIG . 28 may include reference
the master course model of developing courses. For calendar 2810 and actual calendar 2830 . Reference calendar
example , a relative deadline may specify that a particular may include a plurality of dates , including reference date
homework assignment is due on the third day of the second 2815 , reference due date 2820 , reference due date 2825 , and
week of the course . When a user begins a course or a course 15 reference date 2830 . Reference date 2815 may provide a
start date is otherwise determined , the system may transform frame of reference from which other dates, e . g . reference
the relative dates into specific dates. For example, given a due dates 2820 and 2825 may be measured . Reference due
course start date of Jan . 6 , 2013 , the system may translate the dates 2820 and 2825 may be dates on which a learning
relative date mentioned above into Jan . 15 , 2013 . The activity is associated . For example , a quiz may be due on
system may then provide the course using the specific dates. 20 reference due date 2820 , and an assignment may be due on
Course materials with specific dates may also be provided to reference due date 2825 . For example , reference due date
users as a calendar, e . g . an ics calendar file . When trans 2820 may be 8 days after reference due date 2815 .
forming relative dates into specific dates , the system may The learning system may be configured to display a
schedule around potential conflicts, such as holidays , week - learning environment for delivery of instructional material
ends, breaks, designated reading periods, or any other date 25 associated with the sequence of learning units to a remote
specified . For example , the framework may recognize that student workstation after the learning system authenticates a
certain dates fall on or after July 4 , and then move each of student at the remote student workstation . The displayed
those dates on or after July 4 ahead one day . learning environment comprises a user interface displayed to
For example , when an individual instructor creates an the student, e . g . any of the user interfaces described herein .
online course, he/ she can specify exact dates when assign - 30 The user interface may display an actual due date for
ments are due . When online courses are centrally created completing the learning activity, in which the actual due date
and used for up to 5 years, and when those courses are is derived from the reference due date .
re - used in multiple classrooms over multiple terms, due - Deriving the actual due date from the reference due date
dates become far more complicated . The system may be able may be determined in various ways. The actual due date may
to calculate learning activity due dates based on the follow - 35 be determined by adding or subtracting the period of time
ing values: term -start date , the number of weeks after between the reference due date from the reference date of the
term - start on which the learning activity is due , the number reference calendar to the reference date of the actual calen
of days after the beginning of the week on which the dar to arrive at the actual date . Referring to FIG . 28 , actual
learning activity is due , or any combination thereof. calendar 2830 may include a plurality of dates , including
The system may be capable of displaying the learning 40 reference date 2815 , actual due date 2840 , date 2845 , actual
activity - due dates in a calendar format within the Learning due date 2850 , and date 2855 . The dates of actual calendar
Management System . This system may also be capable of 2830 may be real calendar dates . For example , date 2845
generating calendar files that could be exported to the may correspond to Jul. 4 , 2013 , date 2850 may correspond
student's preferred calendaring system , such as Microsoft to Jul. 5 , 2013 , and so on . Reference date 2835 may
Outlook or Google Calendar. 45 correspond to the beginning of reference calendar 2810 , i.e .
When an individual instructor creates an online course , 2815 . Actual due date 2840 may be determined to be the date
he /she can specify exact dates when learning activities are that is the same amount of time from reference date 2815 as
due. When online courses are centrally created and used for reference due date 2820 is away from date 2815 .
up to 5 years , and when those courses are re -used in multiple In some embodiments, the determined actual due date
classroomsover multiple terms, due - dates become far more 50 may be modified based on a an adjustment date . The actual
complicated . The system is be able to calculate learning due date may be based on an adjustment date on an actual
activity due dates, e . g . based on the following values : calendar. For example , the adjustment date may be based on
term - start date , the number of weeks after term - start on a least one of a day of a week , a day of a month , or a day
which the assignment is due, the number of days after the of the year. For example, the day of a week may be the fifth
beginning of the week on which the assignment is due , or 55 day of the week , a Tuesday , etc . A day of a month may be
any combination thereof. the fifth day of the month , the second Tuesday of the month ,
This system would be capable of displaying the learning the first day of the second week of the month , etc . Similarly ,
activity due dates in a calendar format within the Learning a day of the year may be specified using any technique for
Management System . This system would also be capable of identifying a day during the year.
generating calendar files that could be exported to the 60 The adjustment date may be used in various ways . An
student's preferred calendaring system such as Microsoft adjustment date may specify that a particular day is not to
Outlook or Google Calendar available for scheduling an actual due date . For example , if
In some embodiments, a learning management system a relative due date , after being paired with a starting date ,
may comprise a database and a learning system , such as would result in the actual due date landing on a holiday, e . g .
those discussed herein . The database may store a frame- 65 July 4 , then specifying July 4 as an adjustment date may
work , e . g . a course framework . The framework may com - result in the actual date being scheduled on a different day ,
prise a sequence of learning units that are associated with a e.g . July 3 or July 5. In one or more embodiments, an
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
35 36
adjustment date may be removed consideration as an actual FIG . 29 depicts an exemplary logic flow for a method of
due date when determining the actual due date . managing learning in accordance with one ormore embodi
Referring again to FIG . 28 , date 2845 may be an adjust ments . In block 2910 , electronic addresses for a plurality of
ment date . Adjustment date 2845 may be a holiday , e . g. July contacts associated with a student may be stored . In block
4 . Adjustment date 2845 may be determined to be the date 5 2920 , the student may be associated with a set of student' s
that is the same amount of time from reference date 2815 as contacts comprising at least one student-selected contact and
reference due date 2825 is away from date 2815 . However, at least one mandatory contact, wherein a student- selected
because adjustment date 2845 is a holiday , and is specified contact comprises a contact designated by the student to be
as an adjustment date , the assignment corresponding to in the set of student' s contacts and a mandatory contact
reference due date 2825 will not be assigned to 2845 . 10 comprises a contact that is not designated by the student to
Instead , the learning activity corresponding to reference due be in the set of student's contacts. In block 2930 , one or
date 2825 may be mapped to actual due date 2850. more instructionalmaterials may be delivered to the student.
The adjustment date may comprise a holiday on the actual In block 2940 , a user interface that enables the student to
calendar, a weekend day , or any other date specified as such . communicate messages with the student -selected contact
The adjustment date may be based on at least one of a day 15 and the mandatory contact may be provided .
of a week , a day of a month or a day of the year. The FIG . 30A depicts an exemplary logic flow for a method of
adjustment date may be specified by a system administrator, managing learning in accordance with one or more embodi
a course instructor, a course developer, or any combination ments . In block 3010 , an instructional material may be
thereof. delivered to a student workstation after authenticating an
FIG . 25 depicts an exemplary user interface displaying an 20 student' s entry into a learning session at the student work
actual due date for completing the learning activity , wherein station , in which the learning session may be associated with
the actual due date is derived from the reference due date . a plurality of contacts . In block 3020 , electronic addresses
For example, the actual due date may be displayed as the may be stored . A first electronic address may be associated
date on which assignment icon 2520 is displayed . Alterna - with a first contact, and a second electronic address may be
tively or additionally , the actual due date may be stored in 25 associated with a second contact. The first contact may be
a calendar file . associated with the learning session and the second contact
In the learning management system , the set of learning may not be associated with the learning session . In block
activities may be associated with a course , in which the 3030 , a first activity stream associated with the first contact
reference calendar defines a reference course completion and a second activity stream associated with the second
time period , and in which the user interface displays an 30 contact may be displayed to the student. Upon detection of
actual course completion time period derived from the student' s entry into the learning session , the first activity
reference course completion time period . For example , the stream may be displayed without displaying the second
reference course completion period may be the period on activity stream . Upon detection of student's exit from the
reference calendar 2810 from reference date 2815 to refer- learning session , the second activity stream may be dis
ence due date 2820 , and the actual course completion time 35 played either with displaying the first activity stream or
period may be the period on actual calendar 2830 from without displaying the first activity stream .
reference date 2815 to actual due date 2840 . FIG . 30B depicts an exemplary logic flow for a method of
Further, the course completion time period may be managing learning in accordance with one or more embodi
between a reference course start date and a reference course m ents. In block 3040 , a first instructional material may be
end date , in which the user interface displays at least one of 40 delivered to a student when the student enters into a first
an actual course start date or an actual course end date learning session associated with a first course . In block
derived from a respective one of the reference course start 3050, a second instructionalmaterialmay be delivered to the
date and the reference course end date . For example , the student when the student enters a second learning session
reference course start date may be 2815 , the reference course associated with a second course . In block 3060, electronic
end date may be reference date 2830 , the actual course start 45 addresses for a plurality of contacts associated with the
date may be reference date 2815 on actual calendar 2830 , student may be stored . The student may be associated with
and the actual course completion end date may be date 2855 . a set of student ' s contacts comprising a first contact asso
Moreover , the course completion time period may be ciated with the first course and a second contact associated
divided into a temporal sequence of reference learning unit with the second course . In block 3070 , a first activity stream
completion sub - periods . Each reference learning unit sub - 50 associated with the first contact and a second activity stream
period in the temporal sequence may be associated with a associated with the second contact may be displayed to the
corresponding learning unit in the sequence of learning student. Upon detection of student 's entry into the first
units . The user interface may display an actual learning unit learning session , the first activity stream may be displayed
sub - period derived from a reference learning unit sub without displaying the second activity stream . Upon detec
period . For example , the period from reference due date 55 tion of student 's entry into the second learning session , the
2825 to reference date 2830 may be reference learning unit second activity stream may be displayed without displaying
sub - period . The period from actual due date 2850 to date the first activity stream .
2855 of actual calendar 2830 may be an actual learning unit FIG . 31 depicts an exemplary logic flow for a method of
sub - period derived from the reference learning unit sub - managing learning in accordance with one or more embodi
period . 60 ments. In block 3110 , a learning environment for delivery of
Deriving the actual learning unit sub -period from the instructionalmaterialmay be displayed to a remote student
reference learning unit sub - period or the actual course workstation student after authenticating a student at the
completion time period from the reference course comple - remote student workstation . The learning environment may
tion time period may be performed in various ways , includ - display a user interface to the student on the remote student
ing any of the techniques discussed herein , such as those 65 workstation , in which the user interface may be used to
discussed in reference to deriving an actual due date from a interact with an instructional material when the student
reference due date enters into a learning session associated with a course . In
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
37 38
block 3120, messages may be communicated to or from the of example, the embodiment may include more or less
student during the learning session . In block 3130 , the elements in alternate topologies as desired for a given
communication ofmessages with the student may be moni- implementation .
tored to determine whether a message contains an unauthor - It is worthy to note that any reference to " one embodi
ized content. In block 3140 , an alert message may be 5 ment” or “ an embodiment” means that a particular feature ,
transmitted upon detection of an unauthorized content. structure , or characteristic described in connection with the
FIG . 32 depicts an exemplary logic flow for a method of embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The
managing learning in accordance with one or more embodi appearances of the phrase " in one embodiment” in the
ments. In block 3210 , corresponding learning environments 10 specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
for delivery of instructional materialmay be displayed to a embodiment.
plurality of geographically dispersed remote student work Although some embodiments may be illustrated and
stations located in a plurality of regions after the learning described as comprising exemplary functional components
ormodules performing various operations, it can be appre
system authenticates a corresponding plurality of students at ciated that such components or modules may be imple
the plurality of geographically dispersed remote student 115 mented by one or more hardware components, software
workstations. Each learning environmentmay display a user components, and / or combination thereof. The functional
interface on a remote student workstation located in one components and /or modules may be implemented , for
region of the plurality of regions. In block 3220, a plurality example , by logic ( e . g ., instructions, data , and / or code ) to be
of region profiles may be stored , in which each region profile executed by a logic device ( e .g ., processor ). Such logic may
contains information specifying rules associated with com - 20 be stored internally or externally to a logic device on one or
munication of information between a first region and another more types of computer -readable storage media .
second region . In block 3230 , messages may be communi Some embodiments may comprise an article of manufac
cated amongst the geographically dispersed remote student ture . An article of manufacture may comprise a storage
workstations located in the plurality of regions in accor- medium to store logic . Examples of a storage medium may
dance with the plurality of region profiles. 25 include one or more types of computer - readable storage
FIG . 33 depicts an exemplary logic flow for a method of media capable of storing electronic data , including volatile
managing learning in accordance with one or more embodi memory or non - volatile memory , removable or non -remov
ments. In block 3310 , a framework for a set of learning able memory, erasable or non - erasable memory , writeable or
activities may be stored comprising a sequence of learning re -writeable memory , and so forth . Examples of storage
units that are associated with a reference calendar for 30 media include hard drives, disk drives, solid state drives, and
completion of the learning activities relative to a reference any other tangible storage media .
date. The reference calendar may specify a reference due It also is to be appreciated that the described embodiments
date for completing a learning activity associated with a illustrate exemplary implementations, and that the func
learning unit of the sequence of learning units . The reference tional components and /or modules may be implemented in
due date may be relative to the reference date . In block 3320 , 35 various other ways which are consistent with the described
a learning environment may be created for delivery of embodiments . Furthermore , the operations performed by
instructional material associated to a remote student work - such components or modules may be combined and /or
station after authenticating a student at the remote student separated for a given implementation and may be performed
workstation . The created learning environmentmay display by a greater number or fewer number of components or
a user interface on the remote student workstation to the 40 modules .
student. The displayed user interfacemay comprise an actual Some of the figures may include a flow diagram . Although
due date for completing the assignment, in which the actual such figures may include a particular logic flow , it can be
due date is derived from the reference due date . appreciated that the logic flow merely provides an exem
Attached to this specification is an Appendix that contains plary implementation of the general functionality . Further ,
the functional specification of some aspects of the present 45 the logic flow does not necessarily have to be executed in the
invention specifying certain requirements for implementa order presented unless otherwise indicated . In addition , the
tion of the present invention over a computer network , logic flow may be implemented by a hardware element, a
including depictions of various relevant user interfaces. software element executed by a processor, or any combina
tion thereof.
CONCLUSION 50 While certain features of the embodiments have been
illustrated as described above, many modifications , substi
Numerous specific details have been set forth to provide tutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those
a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be skilled in the art. Thus , the breadth and scope of the present
understood , however, that the embodiments may be prac - invention should not be limited by any of the above
ticed without these specific details . In other instances , well- 55 described exemplary embodiments , but should instead be
known operations , components and circuits have not been defined only in accordance with the claims and their equiva
described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments . It lents .
can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional What is claimed is :
details are representative and do not necessarily limit the 1. A learning management system comprising:
scope of the embodiments. 60 a learning system comprising at least one processor and
Various embodiments may comprise one or more ele being configured to deliver an instructional material to
ments . An element may comprise any structure arranged to a student workstation after authenticating a student's
perform certain operations. Each element may be imple entry into a learning session at the student workstation ,
mented as hardware , software, or any combination thereof, wherein the learning session is associated with a plu
as desired for a given set of design and /or performance 65 rality of contacts ;
constraints . Although an embodiment may be described with a database that stores electronic addresses , wherein a first
a limited number of elements in a certain topology by way electronic address is associated with a first contact and
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
39 40
a second electronic address is associated with a second 9 . The learning management system of claim 1, wherein
contact, wherein the first contact is directly linked to the student- selected contact is a member of a contact group
the learning session and the second contact is not that is subject to a group approval.
directly linked to the learning session , and 10 . The learning management system of claim 1, wherein
a networking service comprising at least one processor 5 the course contact is associated with one of: another student
and being in communication with the learning system , taking the course , a course instructor assigned to the course ,
the networking service being configured to serve to the or a course developer assigned to the course .
student workstation within a single learning environ 11 . A learning management system comprising:
ment a student page user interface concurrently dis a learning management module comprising at least one
playing the instructionalmaterial, a first activity stream 10 processor, the learning managementmodule being con
and a second activity stream , wherein each of the first figured to deliver a first instructional material to a
and second activity streams comprises a live concurrent student when the student enters into a first learning
display of content of the respective first and second session associated with a first course and a second
contacts , instructional material to the student when the student
wherein upon authenticating the student 's entry into the 15 enters a second learning session associated with a
learning session , the first activity stream is displayed second course ;
without displaying the second activity stream , and a database that stores electronic addresses for a plurality
wherein the second activity stream is displayed only of contacts associated with the student, wherein the
when the student is not in the learning session , wherein student is associated with a set of student' s contacts
upon detection of student' s exit from the learning 20 comprising a first contact directly linked to the first
session , the second activity stream is displayed , course and a second contact not directly linked to the
wherein the first contact is a mandatory contact that is not second course ; and
designated by the student to be in the set of contacts a networking service comprising at least one processor
associated with the student and the second contact is a and being in communication with the learning man
student- selected contact that is designated by the stu - 25 agement module , the networking service being config
dent to be in a set of contacts associated with the ured to serve to a student workstation within a single
student, wherein the instructionalmaterial is associated learning environment a student page user interface
with a course of study, wherein the mandatory contact concurrently displaying the instructional content, a first
is associated with a course contact, and activity stream and a second activity stream , wherein
wherein the networking service is configured to provide a 30 each of the first and second activity streams comprises
user interface that enables a student profile to commu a live concurrent display of content of the respective
nicate messages with the student -selected contact and first and second contacts ,
the mandatory contact, wherein the user interface wherein upon authenticating the student's entry into the
enables the student to selectively communicate mes first learning session , the first activity stream is dis
sages with the student-selected contact and mandatory 35 played without displaying the second activity stream ,
contact during the learning session , and and wherein upon detection of student 's entry into the
wherein the first and second activity streams comprise second learning session , the second activity stream is
activity stream updates from contacts in a plurality of displayed without displaying the first activity stream ,
classes, wherein when it is detected that a student is wherein upon detection of student's exit from the
currently working on a lesson for one of the plurality of 40 learning session , the second activity stream is dis
classes , the activity stream updates from the other of played ,
the plurality of classes is removed . wherein the first contact is a mandatory contact that is not
2. The learning management system of claim 1, wherein designated by the student to be in the set of contacts
the first activity stream comprises a first message from the associated with the student and the second contact is a
first contact and the second activity stream comprises a 45 student- selected contact that is designated by the stu
second message from the second contact. dent to be in a set of contacts associated with the
3 . The learning management system of claim 1, wherein student, wherein the instructional material is associated
at least one of the first activity stream or second activity with a course of study , wherein the mandatory contact
streams comprises a message transmitted from the student. is associated with a course contact,
4 . The learning management system of claim 1 , wherein 50 wherein the networking service is configured to provide a
at least one the first activity stream comprises a first status user interface that enables a student profile to commu
update from the first contact or the second activity stream nicate messages with the student-selected contact and
comprises a second status update from the second contact. the mandatory contact, wherein the user interface
5 . The learning management system of claim 1, wherein enables the student to selectively communicate mes
the instructional material is concurrently displayed with the 55 sages with the student- selected contact and mandatory
first activity stream . contact during the learning session , and
6 . The learning management system of claim 1, wherein wherein the first and second activity streams comprise
the first contact is associated with at least one of another activity stream updates from contacts in a plurality of
course student, a course instructor, a course performance classes, wherein when it is detected that a student is
assessor , a course developer , or a course administrator. 60 currently working on a lesson for one of the plurality of
7 . The learning management system of claim 1 , wherein classes, the activity stream updates from the other of
at least one of the first or second activity streams comprises the plurality of classes is removed .
a live stream . 12 . The learning management system of claim 11 ,
8 . The learning management system of claim 1, wherein wherein at least one of the first activity stream comprises a
a message corresponding to the second activity stream is 65 first message transmitted from the first contact or the second
transmitted to the student upon detection of student 's exit activity streams comprises a second message transmitted
from the learning session . from the second contact.
US 10 ,013 , 891 B2
41 42
13. The learning management system of claim 12 , out displaying the first activity stream , wherein upon
wherein at least one of the first message is transmitted from detection of the student's exit from the learning ses
the first contact to the student or the second message is sion , the second activity stream is displayed ,
transmitted from the second contact to the student. wherein the first contact is a mandatory contact that is not
14 . The learning management system of claim 11 , 5 designated by the student to be in the set of contacts
wherein a message corresponding to the second activity associated with the student and the second contact is a
stream is transmitted to the student upon detection of student -selected contact that is designated by the stu
student's exit from the learning session . dent to be in a set of contacts associated with the
15 . The learning management system of claim 11 , student, wherein the instructional material is associated
wherein at least one of the first activity stream or second 10 with a course of study, wherein the mandatory contact
activity streams comprises a message transmitted from the
student. is associated with a course contact,
16 . The learning management system of claim 11 , wherein the networking service is configured to provide a
wherein at least one of the first activity stream comprises a user interface that enables a student profile to commu
first status update from the first contact or the second activity 15 nicate messages with the student- selected contact and
stream comprises a second status update from the second the mandatory contact, wherein the user interface
contact . enables the student to selectively communicate mes
17 . The learning management system of claim 11 , sages with the student-selected contact and mandatory
wherein at least one of the first instructional material is contact during the learning session , and
concurrently displayed with the first activity stream or the 20 wherein the first and second activity streams comprise
second instructional material is concurrently displayed with activity stream updates from contacts in a plurality of
the second activity stream . classes, wherein when it is detected that a student is
18 . The learning management system of claim 11 , currently working on a lesson for one of the plurality of
wherein the first contact is associated with another first classes , the activity stream updates from the other of
course student, a first course instructor, a first course per - 25 the plurality of classes is removed .
formance assessor, a first course developer , or a first course 23 . A method for displaying activity streams based on
administrator. contacts , the method comprising :
19 . The learning management system of claim 11 , detecting when a student enters into a first learning
wherein the second contact is associated with another sec session associated with a first course ;
ond course student, a second course instructor, a second 30 delivering a first instructional material, via a learning
course performance assessor, a second course developer, or system comprising at least one processor, to the student
a second course administrator. when the student enters into the first learning session
20 . The learning management system of claim 11 , associated with the first course ;
wherein the student-selected contact is a member of a detecting when the student enters a second learning
contact group that is subject to a group approval. 35 session associated with a second course ;
21 . The learning management system of claim 11 , delivering a second instructional material, via the learning
wherein the course contact is associated with one of: another system , to the student when the student enters the
student taking the course , a course instructor assigned to the second learning session associated with the second
course , or a course developer assigned to the course . course ;
22 . A computer - implemented method of managing learn - 40 storing electronic addresses , in a database, for a plurality
ing comprising: of contacts associated with the student, wherein the
delivering an instructional material to a student worksta student is associated with a set of student' s contacts
tion , via a learning system comprising at least one comprising a first contact directly linked to the first
processor, after authenticating an student' s entry into a course and a second contact directly linked to the
learning session at the student workstation , wherein the 45 second course ;
learning session is associated with a plurality of con displaying to the student within a single learning envi
tacts ; ronment, via a networking service comprising at least
storing electronic addresses in a database , wherein a first one processor, a student page user interface concur
electronic address is associated with a first contact and rently displaying the instructionalmaterial, a first activ
a second electronic address is associated with a second 50 i ty stream and a second activity stream , wherein each
contact, wherein the first contact is directly linked to of the first and second activity streams comprises a live
the learning session and the second contact is not concurrent display of content of the respective first and
directly linked to the learning session ; and second contacts ;
displaying to the student within a single learning envi upon authenticating the student' s entry into the first
ronment, via a networking service comprising at least 55 learning session , displaying the first activity stream
one processor, a student page user interface concur without displaying the second activity stream ;
rently displaying the instructional material, a first activ upon detection of student 's entry into the second learning
ity stream and a second activity stream , wherein each session , displaying the second activity stream without
of the first and second activity streams comprises a live displaying the first activity stream upon detection of the
concurrent display of content of the respective first and 60 student's exit from the first learning session , displaying
second contacts , the second activity stream ;
wherein upon authenticating the student's entry into the providing , using the networking service , a user interface
learning session, the first activity stream is displayed that enables a student profile to communicate messages
without displaying the second activity stream , and with the second contact and the first contact; and
wherein upon detection of student' s exit from the 65 enabling, using the user interface, the student to selec
learning session, the second activity stream is displayed tively communicate messages with the second contact
either with displaying the first activity stream or with and first contact during the learning session ,
US 10 ,013 ,891 B2
43 44
wherein the first contact is a mandatory contact that is not
designated by the student to be in the set of contacts
associated with the student and the second contact is a
student -selected contact that is designated by the stu
dent to be in a set of contacts associated with the 5
student, wherein the instructional material is associated
with a course of study, wherein the mandatory contact
is associated with a course contact, and
wherein the first and second activity streams comprise
activity stream updates from contacts in a plurality of 10
classes , wherein when it is detected that a student is
currently working on a lesson for one of the plurality of
classes, the activity stream updates from the other of
the plurality of classes is removed .
* * * * 15

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TOMMAND DO NOT ALLOH TAHUN US010013891B2

(12) United States Patent ( 10) Patent No.: US 10 ,013 ,891 B2

230 235 240

225 WORK 245

DEVICE 215 - 1 DEVICE 215 - 2 DEVICE 215 - n

(51 ) Int. CI. 2006 /0115803 A1 6 /2006 Kalisiak

230 235 240

PORTFOLIO SOCIAN SECURITY

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Store electronic addresses for a plurality of contacts

Associate the student with a set of student's contacts

Provide a user interface that enables the student to

Deliver an instructionalmaterial to a student workstation after

Store electronic addresses, wherein a first electronic address is

Deliver a first instructionalmaterialto a student when the student

Deliver a second instructionalmaterial to the student when the student

Store electronic addresses for a plurality of contacts associated with the

Display a learning environment for delivery of instructional material to

3120 — Communicatemessages to or from the studen

Monitor the communication ofmessages with the student to determine

3140 Transmit an alert message upon detection of an unauthorized content

Display corresponding learning environments for delivery of

Store a plurality of region profiles, wherein each region profile

3230 Communicate messages amongst the geographically dispersed remote

3310 Store a framework for a set of learning activities comprising a

Create a learning environment for delivery of instructionalmaterial

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