Education and demonstration – Question or problem eliciting response – Electrical means for recording examinee's response
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-14
2004-08-17
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3713)
Education and demonstration
Question or problem eliciting response
Electrical means for recording examinee's response
C434S30700R, C725S024000, C705S001100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06778807
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to computerized market research instruments integrated into educational systems.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Continuing Education Background
Many of today's professionals and technical specialists are required to perform continuing education and training in their area of expertise, to keep abreast of current technology, techniques, trends, and findings, and to maintain their knowledge base. These professions often require documentation of such education for an individual to maintain professional credentials. Individuals therefore must participate in approved continuing education training programs, accruing a specified number of hours of training, over a given period of time, in order to maintain their professional certification. Approval is typically given by the profession's licensing body, governing body or governmental office. The training and education are often measured in credit hours. The entire effort is often referred to as continuing education, although specific professions often have specific terms, such as continuing medical education (CME) or continuing legal education. (CLE), or continuing professional development (CPD).
Continuing education credits can be obtained from a variety of sources, traditionally from attending professional seminars, viewing video presentations on professional topics, or reading refereed journal articles. Credits can be obtained over the Internet by reading materials (on-line, off-line, or in print media), following a case simulation or following a video or audio presentation. Simulations can be linear, or can be designed for individual interaction. Video and audio presentations may be recorded, real-time or a combination of both. Such presentations may be downloaded by the individual for viewing or listening at a more convenient time, or viewed or listened to by online media streaming. Lectures and discussions may be done using Internet communication technologies as part of the continuing education course. It is foreseeable that actual procedures will be at least viewable using the Internet, and may offer interactivity where individuals can earn credits for “sitting in” on procedures virtually.
In some cases, tests are required to confirm completion of the course, and grading may occur on-line or via a mail-in form. While some courses are free, most require a payment for the service. Using the Internet to provide continuing education benefits both the professional and the provider. The professional is not required to travel, often has greater selection of courses, and can often obtain the credit at a lower cost than other sources. The provider can reach a greater audience, minimize publishing costs, and automate presentation, testing, grading, notification and payment.
For a course to provide usable credit, it must be approved by that profession's institutional body, which is responsible for continuing education. These bodies are often the national or state professional organizations or boards, and often are also responsible for licensing of the professional. The amount of credits the course is worth is frequently based on the estimated contact hours, or the time an individual is expected to spend taking the course or following the presentation or event. Some professions allow approved credits by other professions to apply to their own. For example, respiratory therapists may receive CE credit for successfully completing nurse continuing education courses. Courses are often authored or provided by practicing individuals, academic professionals, institutions, manufacturers of goods and/or providers of other related services.
In order for credit to be given for a course, professionals must show attendance, proof that they have consumed course materials (e.g. read the required readings), or passed a test of understanding of the course material. One method that is used to confirm that an individual is achieving the required amount of contact hours for an on-line course is to record the time spent on the course. Also, for on-line video or audio presentations, a user may be prompted for an acknowledgement (e.g. a password or other identifier, a response to a question, a keystroke,) at various times to confirm that the individual is present and watching or listening to the presentation and thereby is earning his or her credit. For that credit to be registered with the individual's licensing body, the individual or the course presenter must provide identification of both the course and the individual and proof of completion to the licensing body. Identification of the course often includes the name, topic and approval information of the course. Identification of the individual often includes the name, professional registration or similar code number, work information, and mailing information. On-line continuing education providers can provide users with a printable certificate to help them document their credits earned, or may provide a on-line logbook to assist the user in keeping track of their credits. Other methods of providing this proof to the accrediting or licensing body is for the provider or the individual to send a hardcopy by mail, to phone the body, to send copies of the questions and answers, or to transmit this information via e-mail.
Many professions require continuing education or on-going training, and frequently require completion of approved courses to maintain licensures or certifications. Such professions are those where the body of knowledge or the standards of practice are continually changing or evolving. Technology changes, scientific findings, new laws and regulations, and new products are often drivers for these changes. Some licensures and certifications require regular testing and renewal. In addition to maintaining credentials, career development is often a goal of professional education, particularly in improvement of business or technology skills. We refer to any effort made to seek further education or training on one's profession to be continuing education, with emphasis and focus on those professions where such efforts are needed to remain in practice. The industries where one would find such professions include:
Medical and healthcare (e.g., physicians, pharmacists, nurses, technologists, therapists, psychologists, social workers, etc.)
Veterinary science
Legal and Regulatory
Accounting, Finance, Investment, Banking, and Insurance
Real Estate
Information Technology
Automotive Repair, Maintenance and Service
Capital Equipment Repair, Maintenance and Service (e.g., machine tools, restaurant equipment, construction equipment, HVAC equipment, etc.)
Aircraft and Aviation Repair, Maintenance and Service
Aircraft Piloting and Crew
Engineering, Construction, and Skilled Trades
Project Management Professionals, Certified Purchasing Managers, Professional Secretaries and other business professionals.
Design professionals (e.g. kitchen designers, interior designers, architects)
Food service professionals
Government personnel
Travel agents
Funeral directors
This is not an exhaustive list, as many organizations and professions change their criteria for professionalism, certification, and licensure.
University, collegiate and lower levels of schooling can be presented on the Internet, or can use the Internet to assist in communication, distribution of information and research. When the course instructor or members of the class are geographically dispersed, this is often referred to as distance learning. In general, the Internet can be useful anywhere transmission, presentation or sharing of information is needed in the classroom. Other learning environments exist that are predominantly for personal interest and do not provide credit toward a degree, certificate or diploma. On the Internet, many learning opportunities exist, both formal and informal, that are relevant to various embodiments of this invention.
Product training is another form of professional training that is relevant to the various embodiments of this invention. Product training c
Martino J. David
Smith Mitchell
Christman Kathleen M.
Documus, LLC
Frost Brown Todd LLC
Walberg Teresa
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