US006928260B2
(12)
(54)
United States Patent
(10) Patent N0.:
Betz et al.
(45) Date of Patent:
Aug. 9, 2005
ONLINE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND
5,295,836 A
3/1994 Ryu et al.
METHOD
5,303,042 A
4/1994 Lewis et al.
5,344,326 A
(75) Inventors: Michael J. Betz, Lilburn, GA (US); -
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9/1994
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21125313531322]gilglsiziévégsgh
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5,797,754 A
8/1998 Griswold et al.
5,823,788 A
10/1998 Lemelson et a1.
(73) Assignee: ChildCare Education Institute, LLC,
434/322X
(Continued)
Duluth’ GA (Us) Notice:
Ferris ....................... .. 434/336
ETC ct alt‘ """""" " 434/350 X
5,700,149 A * 12/1997 Johnson, 111 et al.
(Us)
(*)
US 6,928,260 B2
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this Pawnt is extended or adjusted under 35
U-S-C- 154(k)) by 54 days-
Information from The Indianapolis Star, “Panel Urges Expansion of Online Education—Study recommends more
funds and rule changes to encourage learning via the Web.” Printed Dec. 20, 2000.
(21) Appl' NO" 09/829’830 (22) Filed; Apr, 10, 2001 (65)
Primary Examiner—Chanda L. Harris (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—lce Miller; Doreen J. Gridley; Alexander D. Forman
Prior Publication Data
(57)
US 2002/0146674 A1 Oct. 10, 2002
ABSTRACT
(51)
Int. Cl.7 ................................................ .. G09B 7/00
A method and-System for Online education that includes an
(52)
US. Cl. .................. .. 434/350; 434/362; 434/307 R Fleld Of Search ............................... ..
Connected Via a network means so that at least one lesson can be transmitted from the provider System to the Student
educator provider system and at least one student system 434/322> 323> 118> 307 R _
(56)
system. One embodiment of the present invention uses an interactive lesson With at least one audio ?le that controls the
References Clted
pace of the presentation of the lesson. The present invention
U_S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
can further comprise a mechanism for generating a lesson
completion record after a student has completed the lesson. 37654708 A * 3329987 A * 4586905 A * 4,682,957 A
7/1987
4,785,472 A
4,798,543 A
4/1972 Brudner ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 434/307 R 8/1974 Matysek "" " 5/1986 Gro? """""""""" " 434/307 R Young
The lesson completion record is immediately transmitted upon completion of the lesson to a student and/or an
education authority in order to certify that the student has . .
11/1988 Shapiro
.
.
completed the lesson and has spent the requisite m1mmum
*
1/1989 Spiece ...................... .. 434/323
5,002,491 A 5,195,033 A *
3/1991 Abrahamson et al. 3/1993 Samph et al. ......... .. 434/323 X
“me Penod on that lesson
20\
33 Claims, 23 Drawing Sheets
STUDENT
32\ EDUCATION AUTHORITY
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SYSTEM
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EDUCATOR PROVIDER SYSTEM swoon SYSTEM
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US 6,928,260 B2 Page 2
US. PATENT DOCUMENTS _
5,907,831 A
*
5/1999
LOtVlIl et a1. ............... .. 705/14
6,296,489 B1 * 10/2001
Blass et a1. ........... .. 434/185 X
6,301,462 B1 * 10/2001
Freeman et a1. ...... .. 434/350X
6,341,212 B1 *
Shende et aL ~~~~~~~~ " 434/35OX
1/2002
278537832 2
35888 Riffs-a1
6,347,333 B2 * 2/2002 Eisendrath 61 a1. ....... .. 709/217
6,099,320 A *
8/2000 Papaydoponlos ....... .. 434/322X
6’381’444 B1 :
4/2002 Aggam'al et a1‘ "" " 434/350X
6,112,049 A
8/2000 Sonnenfeld ........... .. 434/350 X
633863882 B1
5/2002 Lmberg """" "
9/2000 HO etal' 9/2000 Hubben etal'
6,397,036 B1 * 6,398,556 B1 *
5/2002 Thean et a1. .......... .. 434/350X 6/2002 H0 61 a1. .............. .. 434/219 X
*
6 120 300 A 6’125’358 A
6’139’330 A 6’146’148 A 6:154:631 A
10/2000 HO et a1‘ 11/2000 Stuppy * 11/2000 Remschel ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ __ 434650
6,155,839 A
12/2000 Clark etal'
6,155,840 A
,, 12/2000 Sanette ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ __ 434/323X
6,162,060 A
* 12/2000 Richard et a1. ....... .. 434/118X
6,282,404 B1 *
8/2001 Linton .................. .. 434/350 X
434/262 X
6,678,824 B1 * 1/2004 Cannon et a1. . 713/200 2001/0039003 A1 * 11/2001 Huang ...................... .. 434/350 2001/0053513 A1 * 12/2001
Corn 61 a1. ............... .. 434/350
2002/0034721 A1 *
3/2002 MeManus et al.
2002/0051962 A1 *
5/2002 Alhng ...................... .. 434/350
* cited by examiner
434/350
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In this workshop. we'll define Sclence and look at how preschool children learn. We'll discuss how to capture the natural curiosity and-A the tendency to explore that comes with childhood. and how to extend
that exploration to testing and problem solvlng.
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We will discuss materials and supplies ihuf encourage sclanc?
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Appropriele science ucllvliles help young children develop
problem solving and crl?cal thinking skills. They ‘leach chlldren lo carefully inspaci
and observe. lo ask quee?ons.
lo to experlmenl. analyze infermeliun. ‘lo research, As and we !
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on braln development, such xufxgzi skllls are :ruclol lo maximizing Bach Tndividuol's polenlicll l?
logical lhinklng.
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Praachool science Involves much more than terms and deiiniilons. h‘
Involves guiding children to explore their world in ordar in observe, \_./ organize, fest and process lniormoiion.
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The teacher has lime Involvement in informal 'sciencing. Children choose *he oc?vi?es placed uf {he science cenhr or around {be room thuf lnferes'l them The most. They work at their own pace. learn to explore on Their own, and make their own discoveries.
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65/H\:Mormol scienclng Is Important In foshrirlg children's cmuiiviiy and problem solving skills. The open environment of Informal sclenclng also davalops chlldrun's med ‘lo explore fhe unknown and learn oboul ‘lhe anvironmenl' around them.
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"iirintln "MIL-- / Host Informal sciencing activities are placed In the center for children to explom on their own. For instance. magnets can
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66"'\ Ano‘iher Informal scllnct ?c?wi'y can be created in the classroom by having an aquarium. Children can
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