WO2004023431A2

WO2004023431A2 - Bidirectional educational system and method using sms, ems, mms and voice mail messaging.

Info

Publication number: WO2004023431A2
Application number: PCT/IB2002/003601
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joanna Milena Just; Piotr Jaroszewicz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-06
Filing date: 2002-09-06
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2005-03-06
Also published as: AU2002328108A1

Description

BΠMRECTIONAL EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND METHOD USING SMS, EMS, MMS

AND VOICE MAIL MESSAGING.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of systems and methods for educational purposes. It integrates SMS, EMS, MMS and voice mail messaging services of mobile wireless devices and a computer system for management of this process. The invention is intended to assist in the memorizing process.

Background Art

The dynamic development of wireless communication technology, its strong direction towards data services, and its ability of integration with computer systems, open the whole range of new purposes. The variety of communication, information, business and entertainment applications are emerging at a rapid pace. Meanwhile, one of the biggest actual world need - education, in the context of new uses of wireless handsets, is considered to a very small extent. These devices are assumed to have too limited features, to be used in education. But technical capabilities of a mobile handset are expanding, popularity as an inherent element of life is still growing, and the range of wireless networks becomes worldwide. That makes it the tremendous platform for development of a broad educational system, if existing capabilities of these devices are treated not as limitations but as advantages. In particular, the capability of sending multimedia messages (MMS) can be the object of much interest. The use of wireless handsets in education, may bring many advantages. First of all, its

'anywhere' and 'anytime' feature enables the possibility of educational interaction within the whole day, regardless of the place. This is very significant, because some limitations of computer assisted learning can be eliminated, such as its stationary character and a requirement of certain time dedication. Essential can be also, the easy of use of the telephone handset and the very large popularity and even fashion for wireless telephony. But, one should to remember, that in education, there is no an universal device, method or system convenient for all purposes.

The present invention, provides an educational system and method, assisting in the process of memorizing-intensive learning. It can be use as an independent educational platform or as other systems and methods support, reinforce or extension.

The development of an effective, technical system, assisting in the process of learning, has to be based on a technical concept and chosen models and principles from educational psychology and teaching methodology and even consider the realities of education. Furthermore, the heavy emphasis has to be placed on (independent from technology) goals, objects and methods of learning, but not only on the use of technology as such. Hence, presented in this application background of the invention consist of two parts. It contains the concise information from several fields, because carrying out this invention require specific skills. Presented information can turn out essential to exhaustively explain the invention and to understand its many advantages, because an inventiveness of this system and method lies on several fields. Also, underlying the invention pedagogical assumptions have to be disclosed.

Technical background

Educational systems employing wireless communication devices, can be generally divided in two main groups where: 1. The wireless handset or other wireless communication device is considered as an optional presenting device of computer system with a broader functionality ( e.g. : treating the handset as a mobile browser).

At such sense, differences in technical capabilities of given device have to be considered, such as an amount of information which can be transmitted or retrieved, the size of a screen, etc. Use of mobile devices as an optional presenting appliance of a larger educational system, may require the modification of the system content for this type of devices, and even the modification of the teaching method. This could be an additional, difficult and frequently expensive task and the effectiveness of given system, when using mobile communication devices, can be decreased. 2. The wireless handset or other mobile communication device, is considered as a device comparable to a personal computer, where educational applications, similar to these known from personal computers can be executed.

In such depiction, one has to consider significant technological differences in personal computers capabilities in relation to mobile communication devices. Adaptation of existing educational software onto this platform may encounter many issues. Furthermore, it relates not only to a functionality of given device, but also to capabilities of a network operator system.

The present invention introduces a different approach. It is based on native, well-known features of wireless handsets and utilizes inherent for such devices and extremely popular, information delivery methods, that is SMS, EMS, MMS and voice mail messaging. This allows for an implementation of the present invention, without the necessity of any changes by wireless network operator to the core functionality of his main system, and without changing the devices by users, because the invention is based on widely adapted standards and already existing capabilities. It is important to note, that the present system and method, because of its educational purpose, is targeted to employ the multimedia messaging, because MMS has enhanced capabilities and better presenting impact then voicemail and SMS, EMS messages. But, the present invention utilizes the widespread SMS, EMS and voicemail services, to provide this system compatibility with an existing massive base of wireless handsets and considerably faster deployment. The use of SMS messages simplifies also the procedure of sending controlling messages and furthermore allows also a fast adaptation of existing educational content to use with the present invention.

Along with the natural development of the market, educational content of this system can be modified and extended in direction to MMS messaging to allow a smooth adaptation to newer capabilities of user devices and additionally can encourage for handset upgrading.

The present system and method has an open character, what means here, that almost every educational content can be easily adopted for this system. This is frequently not easy in many other systems requiring specially prepared content. Moreover, the present invention contains the authoring module, which provide educational content creating, entering and adapting to the system needs. Simplifying, this adaptation is an "atomization" of information and preparing from it, the series of messages.

The particular advantage of the present invention is the potential of an inexpensive mass apply, because it uses the existing technology and a common hardware base, and also can be build on typical, wide accessible personal computers, and furthermore is easy in functionality. This easy to understand functionality is important at authoring stage or at educational content adapting to the system. This can not encounter difficulties such as insufficient technical literacy, what can have place at many aspects of educational computer systems, among persons interested in their applying, and particularly among teachers. To put it simply, practically everyone understands, what is the sending a message to the wireless handset.

Furthermore, the present invention can be also inexpensive for end-users, and its wide acceptance can have many advantageous effects, such as the worldwide range of this system (defined by the range of the operators network and roaming). Yet another advantage of use of the present invention can be also an inexpensive education reach to many different social groups, and to developing countries, because building an educational infrastructure, teachers training etc. is often difficult, time-consuming and expensive. But the introduction of wireless telephony is a very advanced process in many countries and would allow education to reach new people along with the range of operators networks. The present invention, can be also the additional platform for social education. Ps chological background

Learning is a time extended process, requiring the correlation of many different elements and consideration of conditions related to the object of learning, that is human, with his aptitudes, skills, experience, personal abilities, character, style of life and even social image in today's world. When developing a system for education purpose, achievements of psychology, sociology and teaching methodology are very helpful and have to be concerned. In the present invention, the wide respect is given, to presented by these fields conditions of the effective learning process, and it is also tailored to the way of life of today's man.

Almost from every field of education can be separated the part, which require memorizing (e.g.: definitions, terminology). Often also, the good knowledge of given field is determined by memorizing the related large base of factual information (e.g.: history or medicine). There are also fields (e.g.: foreign languages learning), which are nearly entirely based on the memorized knowledge. The technical assistance in memorizing can be very helpful and effective, because without the help of technical resources it demands a self-discipline, well planning and familiarity with the human memory properties. In this field, not only new technical appliances, but also new methods of knowledge assimilating, better suited to the needs of present man, are desired. The present invention is intended to fulfill this need.

The object of the present invention is assistance in knowledge memorizing. This system and method constitutes also the new learning method named by us Impulse Multimedia Method. The essence of the present invention is general treating of the learning process that is:

• delivery of individualized educational content to the learner,

• proper stimulating of his perception and concentration,

• dynamic management of the learning process, • automatic and personal modification of the course schedule,

• system administration,

• authoring and modification of educational content.

This is known from psychology, that in the process of memorizing the most important element is the proper senses stimulation and the achievement of concentration on given information or action. In practical realizations of this rule, in teaching methods and assisting devices and technical systems, there are many different approaches. The present invention is based on a natural phenomenon, that human senses are most sensitive and adapted to detecting changes in the surrounding environment, rather then continuous controlling of a constant state. Also, the natural activeness of the human mind system is the biggest in the moment of such change detection (through senses) and in a short time after that. Then, concentration decrease and additional energy is required to its maintaining. Therefore, long continuous concentration, particularly on learning can be difficult, and is also not a good method to adapt large quantity of information. This is best known from children and youth learning. However as said, the naturally achieved state of high concentration (but maintained through a short period of time) occurs, if an 'impulse' significantly different from surrounding environment, reaches human, on which impulse this rapid concentrating is taking place.

Known is also a phenomenon of human senses inertia what means, that between peak values of simultaneous stimulation and concentration must lapse a certain time. From proprieties of human senses we know also, that a quantity of information, on which we are able to shortly concentrate as well as fully recognize, is limited.

Hence, in technical assistance of the learning process, it is appropriate to deliver information in the form similar to impulses, with suitable pauses and in a small quantity. This is confirmed by the well-known rule, that 'learning is better in small, short doses but systematic then once and long'. The main object of the present invention is to achieve the learning effect by "educational multimedia impulses" accomplished by sending SMS, EMS, MMS and voice mail messages to the learner's wireless handset accordingly to the method further described.

But on the other hand, the impulse stimulation no always has to be effective in educational sense, because an external impulse (in the present system a message) can be also a disturbance of intentional state or intentional concentration. Therefore, an inappropriate from a learning viewpoint, psychological effect can occur, that is the reluctance to given information. This can make learning difficult or even impossible. Messages receiving during e.g.: an intensive and requiring high concentration intellectual work or a different action on which one wants or has to concentrate on, can be irritating and is inappropriate.

But there is also a group of activities, when receiving educational messages can be desirable, and would allow for a better time usage, through learning simultaneous to performing some (not much absorbing) activities. After all, the wireless handset can accompany the learner almost always, in every moment and at any place, therefore employing this device in the present invention is very significant. This allows to learn during not especially absorbing activities, during being out, and during the time which we commonly recognize lost (e.g.: waiting for means of transport, traffic jams, unexpected pauses, journey time etc.). Furthermore, described here the system and method allows for the process of learning 'in the meantime', that is without dedication of the certain time of a day. It can be very advantageous in the aspect of life style of the present-day man, when often one does not have time to take additional education. That can be also effective in the aspect of education in corporations where significant part of personnel are often on-the-move. In the case of persons already learning (e.g.: students) the present invention can optimize their time organization and additionally increase the speed of learning.

This is known, that repetition is a condition of durable assimilating of information. We know also, that the human memory is short-lived and long-lasting. The memorization of given information, (transfer from the short-lived to long-lasting memory) require repetition, and even multiple repetitions. In this process essential are both the quantity of this repetitions and the proper time between them, so the natural forgetting process would not occur. In the context of good memorization, the optimal quantity of repetitions and a proper pause between them, depends also on the content and the type of presented information. One of the main advantages of the present invention is an automatic adjustment of time between sending given "learning impulse" (a message) and the quantity of its repetitions, on the basis of achieved results. The pace of information memorizing, the proper moment, quantity and time between repetitions are individual for given person. They are also not constant values, because they depend on internal conditions like tiredness, current mental state, and on external conditions such as e.g.: the calm environment. The another advantage of the present invention is personal management of impulses (messages) sending, beside automatic adjustment by the system to suite the system working to these conditions, on ones own. This is provided by:

• adapting the schedule of messages sending to learner's way of life, so avoiding to send them in the undesirable time (e.g. : in the work time),

• ability of individual planning or modifying the course program and additional, besides automatic, correcting of intervals and quantities of repetitions on ones own, • possibility of influence onto situation, when message is sent in accordance with the schedule, but it is in a given moment unwanted, and the possibility of temporary blocking of further sending.

• notification of message demand, when this is not in the schedule, but it is in a given moment wanted, that is, the ability to obtain a message on demand.

Thus, it is an apparent advantage of the present invention, that the automatic system adjustment to the user is provided, and in the same time, the system allow for a personal modification of its working mode by the learner, and particularly receiving a message on demand is provided. The wireless handset utilization in the present invention, has also one important and advantageous aspect. It extends significantly, to practically a whole day, the range of the day to use for educational interaction, because the present system inherits main features of the mobile telephony, that is independence from the place and having the telephone always at hand. This allows first, to send learner more messages within the whole day, with maintenance of proper pauses between them, and secondly, can provide additional optimization of the effectiveness of learning, through drawing an attention to differences in a human daylong intellectual activity by using its best periods. This is hard to achieve in the case of a computer system, which require dedication of a certain time, and is often associated with a particular place. The present invention is also the great alternative, to personal repetition of educational materials from notes or textbooks, in many different moments of a day oneself. Such repetition always demands self- discipline and good organization. The present system and method provide the automatic information delivering (in accordance with a settled schedule, but also on demand), with no necessity of using any additional materials. What more, it sends them in the way that increases the effectiveness of memorizing.

In the process of memorizing, essential is also the variety of repetitions, in the sense of delivering the same information but in the changed form or in the changed context or fulfillment both of this conditions simultaneously. In this system a message including the same information can be prepared in different ways (e.g.: as a text and graphics message or voice message). This diversifies the course, causing enhancement in remembering. This can also provide the different illustration of the subject for different participants (e.g.: being in different age, for handicapped). In particular, multimedia messages, allow for the different forms of the same information.

The another property of human memory is that we better remember information situated in a certain context. Best, when this is connected to a situation or an event. This causes the associations helpful when retrieving given information from the memory. Also, presenting information as a contrast to a given state causes natural, better senses stimulation. The wireless messaging accomplish to these rules, because a message sent to a mobile telephone, finds the user in different situations, states and places, thus is often contrasting to the current environment, and simultaneously it is received always in a certain, sometimes even unexpected, context. This is significantly different from computer systems, often situated in a specific place, when the context and contrast with a changing external environment are not present. Furthermore, the ability of receiving messages on demand, allows to employ the actual context for learning associates. e.g.: finding oneself in the characteristic place can encourage, to gather some historical facts related to this place or foreign vocabulary words describing this place.

The attractiveness of presented information is yet another significant factor for the memorizing process. The mass-media world created our habits of information perceiving and the specific sensibility. The arrive of technological capability of sending multimedia messages

MMS, can deal with these habits and allow the use of the wireless handset in education, as an interesting supplement or even an alternative for personal computer.

Individual differences of each man in information assimilating are yet the another aspect of the learning process. In learning theories this is known as learning styles. For example, for ones the most effective is concentration on being given many facts and examples, for others more effective is presenting them rules regulating the certain phenomenon. Because every course in the present system and method is constructed as a set of messages, this allows for easy modification of subject depiction, depending on learner preferences, without the necessity of special preparing of separate courses. It can be made as for example the elimination of sending some message to learner A, and additional their sending to learner B, while maintaining a common, general set of messages for both of them. It optimizes the authoring of courses and simultaneously allows to adopt the system for different learners preferences.

In the present invention, messages send to the learner are not only the presenting messages. After the repeated presentation of given information in some intervals, and the initial assertion that after this, it has been remembered, the system verifies the knowledge of this information to determine the effectiveness of learning and to calculate an assessment. This is realized through sending messages requiring an answer. These messages can be simple questions about given fact (yes/no), test questions (e.g.: a, b or c) or questions requiring the detailed answer, written via a telephone keypad. Important in the present method, is the arrangement of these questioning messages in time, by interlacing them with presenting messages. According to answers given (or not given) by learners, system is automatically modifying the profile of given user, adjusting his schedule, changing learning statistics and assessments, or even makes automatic changes of the further course. Delivering to the learner immediate information whether the answer to the question was correct is also very important factor of the learning process. The present invention provides this in a real-time. After the every learner answer, an instant confirming message (e.g. : in the form of repetition of the correct answer as additional stimulation) or a correcting message is sent back to him. After the correct answer, the system increases the assessments of given learner and can provide known from learning psychology reinforcement, in the form of a prize-message. The learner knows the current assessment throughout the whole course. He can demand it anytime in the form of a message.

Essential for the educational process is also a clear goal of learning and information of how far is the learner in attempting to this goal, both in a quantitative and temporal context. In the present system goals can be identified as the completion of the given stage of the course and the course as a whole. Statistics of messages sending, provide the information of how advanced is the learner in his endeavors to rich these goals, including also time estimations. The completion of the course or its stage, is acknowledged by the system (through questioning messages), the memorization of all information sent in messages.

Summarizing, we remember information better when it is:

• delivered in the form of impulses and in small pieces,

• repeatedly presented with the frequency appropriate to the personal speed of memorizing, but not in the disturbing manner,

• delivered according to current psychical and physical shape,

• delivered to the learner in varied contexts, also on-demand,

• presented in a diverse and in an attractive for learner way,

• suits learner preferences in the reception of information, • assimilating of information is verified, and feedback about the correctness of memorization is being given,

• reinforcement after obtaining the single good result and after improving the general result of learning is being given,

• the general assessment of learning and its changeability in time is by the learner known, as well as goals, the current stage of realization of these goals in the qualitative and temporal context.

It is an apparent advantage of the present system and method, that in spite of use the device of significantly smaller capabilities then the personal computer, it realizes technically many discussed above, varied known assumptions from the theory of learning, which are difficult to simultaneous providing in traditional teaching, but not infrequently difficult also, to simultaneous providing in computer assisted learning. Especially, this is the capability, to accomplish wide individualism of the learning process. This is realized first, as an automatic adaptation and optimization of the course schedule for every learner, but also, as the ability of adjusting the system working to personal needs and abilities by the learner himself (or by others e.g.: by a teacher or parent). Additionally, the management of the system, the analysis of system general effectivenesses, and also authoring and modification of its educational content are provided.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is a bidirectional educational system and method, utilizing SMS, EMS, MMS and voicemail services of wireless telephony, designed in particular to assist in memorization-intensive learning . The system consist of repository of educational material, user profiles database and following functional modules: management module, send- and-receive module and analyzer, which are realizing system working according to the method described herein. The architecture of the system contains also administrative module, authoring module and a module to review and modify profiles by users (user module).

A message is generally understand in this description as a message SMS, EMS, MMS or a voice mail message, and distinguished are here three general kinds of messages, educational presenting messages (one-way), educational messages requiring the user answer (two-way) and additional informative, controlling or reinforcing messages. Users can be described by their telephone number (Mobile Identification Number - MEN) or by other unique identifier. For simplifying this description we are assuming, that with every message transmitted between functional modules, conveyed is also the user identification number (MTN) to which message is send, or from which message comes from.

The general structure of a system functionality is shown on fig. 1. Management module (Mm), according to user schedules integrated in their individual Profiles (P), stored in profiles database (Pdb), retrieves messages from Repository (Rep) and transmits them to Send-And- Receive Module (SRm), which sends them to users' (U) wireless telephones through wireless network (OpWN). Simultaneously, the system users answer to requiring so messages and send control messages (e.g.: requirement of on-demand message). Messages incoming from users to the system are received by Send-And-Receive Module (SRm), and then transmitted to Analyzer (AN), which provides the examination of them and then instructs Management module to make some modifications of given user profile (P). User Module (Um) is an interface to the system, for reviewing or modification profiles by users. The system includes also Administrative Module (ADm) for general management of the system, and Authoring Module (ATm) to create, enter and modify the system educational content. - l i lt should be noted here, that this is the model of the system architecture and functionality and inventors do not exclude different models reflecting presented here invention and omissions the part of the functionality. The detailed description of the system elements and their functionality is as follows: Repository (Rep) of educational materials stores messages and comprised of them courses

(also possible stages of courses), and many preliminary versions of schedules of these courses. Depending on the course and its certain implementation, repository contains also different sets of controlling, reinforcing and informative messages. The division of courses into messages can vary and in particular, there can be many courses prepared from the same set of messages. This allows for an individualization of educational content for different users preferences and to adapt the content for different pedagogical assumptions, and different goals and learning styles. The example of such division can be: for a user A the best course will be the one including many examples, a user B prefers the detailed explanation of rules related to the subject, and a user C needs only the narrow, specialized range of information from given field, while the certain set of messages is common for all users.

The course may be the combination of different type messages (SMS, EMS, MMS and voicemail) and can have different versions for different type of handsets. Which version of the course is suitable for given user, is defined by technical capabilities of user's device (device type or model) stored in his profile. This allows for a broader range of the system, across users with older types of devices.

The course schedule is a detailed time plan with the exact date and time of sending learning messages and related reinforcing and informative messages. The example of schedule of the course part is shown in Table I. This is possible implementation of a schedule, giving also an image of the described herein method. At least one schedule for each course has to be prepared, but varied preliminary schedules could be prepared, characterizing in approximation possible participants (e.g. : version for school learners, version for working persons, version for a whole day learning etc.). These schedules are preliminary, because in the beginning of the course, they are rewritten to learners profiles and they will be further more detailed, dynamic and individually modified. The system repository (Rep) can be implemented in different technical ways, in particular it may have a varied structure and distributed physical locations. Messages can be stored directly in the form of technical specification of theirs standard, to provide easier authoring of courses and sending them to users without the necessity of additional translation. However, messages containing current learner assessments, the current statistic and time estimations of taken course have to be created dynamically from data stored in user profiles.

The programmatic structure of repository can be implemented in different ways, depending on applied tools. But, every message has to be unambiguously defined (e.g. : by identifier). Qualification of technical type for every message is also obligatory. It can be made by an identifier. E.g. letter "s" in an identifier of SMS message, "e" is EMS, "m" is MMS, and "v" is voice mail. Besides that, presenting messages have to be distinguished from questioning messages. This can be also done by letter in identifier. For example, letter "p" in identifier means presenting message, while "q" means questioning message, requiring user answer. This notation is also used in included tables. Messages requiring answer have to be also unambiguously connected with answers to these messages, and with related possible reinforcing messages.

Every user has attached individual Profile (P). The concept of profile is in the present invention understood in broader sense then usually, because is contains a dynamically modified schedule of taken course. Profile contains also the user identification number (MIN) and the type of used device, identification of chosen course, current schedule of course as well as learning assessments, and dynamically changed with every sent message, statistics of learning, and learning time in several aspects, and can contain the billing for given user. An example of statistics, learning time estimations and assessments is shown in Table II, where learning time is assumed to be 10 seconds per message.

Profile can also contain the current value of 'necessary reinforcement'. Value of this can be constantly modified along the course, by examining quantity of sent message and achieved results. It can be assumed, that in the beginning the learner should be given the frequent reinforcement, then rarer, and then reinforcement only at difficult moments and upon stages finishing.

Profile of user in present system can be extended by other fields to adapt system to other implementation and different field of education. Because profiles have similar form for all users, they can be programmed as structurally uniform database. In technical implementation it may require a different then repository accessing system, because of necessary to achieve system efficiency.

Modules of presented system, accomplishing the method of its working are defined here by their functionality, but implementation of them can vary, in particular this can be one computer program. Their functionality is also diverse from the programmatic interpretation point of view. Management module (Mm) is a databases related process, Analyzer (AN) is a comparing and calculating process, and Send-And-Receive Module (SRm) is a communication process. This classification can be helpful at decisions of choosing methods of practical realization of these modules. Management module (Mm) retrieves from Repository (Rep) suitable message, in accordance to schedules of courses stored in Profiles (P) and transmit it to Send-And-Receive Module (SRm) to send to given user. Then it makes basic modification of the user profile of the fact of sending given message (see last column in Table I). With this registration, management module simultaneously changes statistics, time of learning and other fields which depend on quantity of sent messages (see an example in Table II). This module is also generating messages containing current user assessment and messages about statistic and time of the current course, on the basis of stored in profile given user data. Such messages can be sent by default e.g. at the end of the day, but also anytime on user demand. Such message can be also sent to a person other then learner, with indication to given learner. For example to his parent or teacher. If a sent message requires an answer (questioning message), management module after sending that massage to send-and-receive module, may send the identifier of this message to analyzer (with a MTN number of user to whom it was sent), to allow preferred realization of analyzer which is shown on figure 3 and described in the next chapter. However, practical realization of 'cooperation' between management module and analyzer can be different and depends on technical implementation of this system.

Management module (Mm) is a database processing service specialized in retrieving the messages from Repository (Rep) and transmitting them to Send-And-Receive Module (SRm). It modifies also, in basic range, profiles of users (P) (the fact of message dispatching, statistics and learning time estimations). Besides, it modifies profiles in a wider range, according to more detailed instruction received from analyzer. It is a real-time process requiring the minimum exactness of at least one-minute. It is also triggered by instructions received from remaining modules. With connection to administrative module, authoring module and user module it has to provide removing, authoring and changing of messages as well as schedules and courses versions, templates of user schedule and other elements of repository. It can also provide common modifications of profile groups.

In the introduced here structure of system architecture, management module (Mm) cooperates with remaining modules and provides general, functional intermediate layer between them and repository and profiles database, providing the set of processes for database service. Such solution has many advantages because it provides: • a good and readable programming model of the system, allowing its easier creation and modifications, and in particular object-oriented building,

• _. construction of the whole system as physically separate processes with clear functionalities, in particularly residing on different computers, at different places of a network and in different system environments. It can have key meaning for independent building of administrative module, authoring module and user module.

• guarantee better safety and comfortable management of the whole system.

However, practical realization of the invention structure can be different. Modules administrative, authoring, and user as well as analyzer and sent-and-receive module can have direct access to repository and profiles database. In particularly, sent-and-receive module can provide the process of message retrieving from repository according to schedules, and basic modifications of profiles, assigned in this description to management module. Management module will be then the library of functions for database services rather then an independent process. Such realization can be justified for example, when all system modules, and repository and profiles database, are realized as one program and connected databases, and reside on the same computer.

The practical technical implementation of management module, can be different and depends mainly on the system platform and is not an object of this invention. The example of management module working, assuming one-minute accuracy of the system, is shown on figure 4 and is explained in next chapter.

Send-And-Receive Module (SRm) transmits, a received from Management Module (Mm) message to given user through the wireless network. Detaching of send-and-receive module, as a separate module of system functionality, have practical and economic implication. It allows the realization of remaining parts of the invention on the base of typical computer systems, and set the connection with a wireless network apart from the rest of the system in this module, because it may demand more specialized procedures. Such realization can also be significantly less expensive then building the present invention as an internal process of the operator system. Persons skilled in the wireless telephony knowledge will find out with easiness many possible realizations of this module and ways of proper and effective its connecting with the rest of the system. From programming point of view, Send-And-Receive Module is a communication process, triggered by instructions from management module and by received messages. The present system is bidirectional what means, that simultaneously to sending messages to users by the system itself, they send answers on requiring so messages and messages containing control signals. Incoming messages are received by Send-Receive Module (SRm), which in turn, transmit them to Analyzer (AN).

Analyzer (AN) is a module crucial to the 'intelligence' of the system. It examines messages received from users and establishes whether this is an answer to sent earlier questioning message, whether one from defined array of control signals or other message which is unable to identify. If this is an answer to sent question, it verifies the correctness of this answer (or level of its correctness) and on the basis of this result, previous results and an current assessment of given user, decides about the modification of his profile.

For example, if answer to questioning message is incorrect and this is the next inappropriate answer, analyzer decide to shorten time spaces between messages with the same contents, or to increase the quantity of repetitions of messages or to take both of these actions simultaneously. The next example can be the analyzer statement, that answers to messages sent in mornings' hours are always correct but remaining answers are significantly worse. Then it can shift larger quantity of messages to more effective in learning morning hours, and messages sent afternoon repeat more times. Some elements of artificial intelligence can be implemented in analyzer. On the other hand, such and other decisions about schedule of messages, can be done considerably earlier, through authoring of the course. Yet, achievement of automatic optimization of course schedule to enhance effectiveness of memorizing for given user, does not have to require advanced procedures, and can be based on the set of easy to program decisions. These can provide:

• when receiving a wrong answer (or lack of answer) enlarge the quantity of repetitions of given messages,

• reduce pauses between these repetitions,

• shift the time of sending of given message onto different period of the day,

• change the form of message containing the same information, ( e.g. : from SMS to voicemail)

• if learning general results shown by assessments and statistics, is unfavorable, reduce all pauses,

• increase the general quantity of messages repetitions,

• send an informative message to ask user to make personal adjustments. The present system and method allows also for the modification of schedules by learners on theirs own, what will potentially correct their schedules better then automatic analyzer, because they can know what causes possible unconvincing results. Personal modifications of schedules can be also done together with a teacher or a parent, or even independently from the learner. Therefore, already pointed advantage of the invention is both automatic optimizing of schedules and their correcting by users (or by other persons) on their own.

Users, beside sending answers to questions, send also controlling messages. They are assigned to sequences of alphanumeric characters, sent by learner as a message. An example of set of the control signals is shown in table HI. Control signals are pre-set, but the system can allow for their modification for each user. Beside this, system can provide the creation of individual control signals for given user, e.g. : message meaning "send me next 5 messages one by one", or for given course e.g. : "send me all messages related to ...". The control signal can also be the answer to questioning message, e.g. : "I do not know and I want to draw attention onto this". Analyzer (AN), on the basis of examination of user answers to questioning messages, calculates also the learner current assessment, according to rules for given course. This module can also calculate the value of currently needed reinforcement. Most of operations which analyzer executes require data from user profiles, or data assigned to messages (stored in repository). So, it instructs management module (Mm) to transmit these elements of schedules, statistics values or the correct answer to a message to some kind of analyzer internal buffer. Upon accomplishment of analyses and calculations, it instructs management module (Mm), to modify given profile, such as the change of schedule or to update an assessment. Messages sent to system by users, after their analysis can be deleted.

The detailed method of Analyzer working is not an object of this invention, because its implementation strongly depends on area of system use, both in the context of subject realized in courses, and in the context of persons participating in these courses. General results from the research of human memory properties can be treated as guidelines and can be helpful in analyzer implementing. Particularly beneficial can be continuous analyzer refining, along with working of the system and getting more and larger quantity of data, about effectiveness of the method, in dependence from expected, but also from many hard to foreseeing on launch factors, and even its automatic self-optimization. It may be useful to prepare some methods of examination and evaluation models of general learning effectiveness by the present system and method, on the basis of statistic and assessments of all (or chosen groups) learners. The practical technical implementation of Analyzer can be varied. The example of analyzer working is shown on diagram on figure 3 and described in the next chapter. From technical point of view Analyzer is a comparing and calculation process, triggered by management module and send-and-receive module.

The system user (or teacher, parent or administrator), can review and modify his profile, through User Module (Um) which is an interface to the system. The past course, already existing statistic and assessments can not by modified, only the course to take, the schedule and content of the further course, the value of reinforcement, and the type of used handset can be changed by user.

Modification of the profile may provide:

• changing the order of messages to be sent,

• change the schedule of messages to be sent,

• increasing or decreasing the quantity of given repetitions of given messages or group of messages,

• adding other messages to one's program or them exclusion,

In certain implementation, some other modifications carried by users can be allowed. Modification of the profile can be also permissible in definite borders, also individually for given user, e.g. : different modifications are accessible for participating in course A, and different for course B, or different accessible modifications are for youth, when this is an obligatory course, and different for adult, defining course itself individually. The present system can provide five methods of this modification, by:

• _. SMS control messages being sent by users. • WAP interface,

• interface based on GPRS features,

• interface accessible through Internet,

• program executed locally on a personal computer.

Modification of the profile by at least one method, through telephone only, should be provided, (without the use of a computer). On the other hand, advantageous may be an interface with the system through the Internet, or locally executed program. This could provide the comfortable way to review or modify given profile and delivering some additional educational and informative materials. Internet module can also provide displaying of MMS messages, which can not be shown on the user handset, as a proposal of equipment upgrade. One of the message type provided by the system can be also, sent on demand, a shortcut of the profile, (send in the form of e.g. : SMS) and it can be related to profile modification by control messages, where this is the return message after some modifications.

Administrative module (ADm) provides adding and removing the system users as well as reviewing and modifying their profiles. It may also implement a statistical module for all system users or chosen groups, to provide controlling e.g. : average activity of users or their average assessment. It can be also useful when applying the invention, as feedback to its modification, or as a general assessment of system learning effectiveness from the pedagogical viewpoint. When implementing the invention by operator of wireless telephony, administrative module can be also connected with the main administrative operator system or can be its sub-system. Administrative module can employ user module for the profile modification. The common modification of profiles for a group of participants (by e.g.: a teacher) could be also provided.

Authoring module (ATm) have to provide the wide modification of repository content as well as creating and entering new educational content. It can be realized as separate, external stand-alone application connected to the system according to the invention executed on personal computer, or as for example internet interface providing authoring functions. This module has a lot of possible implementations and in detail is not the object of this invention, but its existence is crucial to the system applying.

From the above technical introduction, it can be seen, the presented here system and method has yet another important advantage, it is inseparably connected with the user and his device, and its working is based is on an individual process. It can be very important for educational content owners and network operators, because this protects their businesses. It is not possible to use one course by many persons, and also copying the system content and its non permitted exploitation is difficult.

Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 discloses modules and general functionality of the system and method where the model of system structure as well as messages and signal flow are presented.

Figure 2 discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention. The parallel implementation of two systems according to the invention as an internal operator process (1) and as an external system, utilizing the wireless operator network (2). Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

A implementation of the present invention is shown on figure 2 where two systems according to the invention (1) and (2) are shown as compact 'black-boxes' with internal functionality known from figure 1 and this description. The general advantage of the present invention is that, it can be realized both as an internal service of the main system of the wireless network operator (A) and as a connected with this system the external sub-system utilizing operator network (B). The example on figure 2 shows parallel implementations of the system and method according to the invention "inside operator" (A) where it is another process inside of the main system , and "outside operator" (B) where a connection with the operator is realized through suitable gateway (G) or the invention is visible as another subscriber. These according to the invention systems can be visible and identified by users as some (probably shortened) service numbers of the operator. This is advantageous, that in both realizations an extension of functionality of the operator system is not required, because system according to the present invention is based on natural features of wireless telephony. This is significant, because allows the fast realization of the system. Implementations (A) and (B) require in particular different realization of send-and-receive module.

In the solution (A) the system according to the invention (1) is realized as another process (service) of the operator internal system (OpS). Such solution can be use, when operator is going to make available the invention as a next service offering and to propose it to all of its subscribers. The choice of such solution is related first to utilization of existing assets of the operator, and secondly to better efficiency, security and further service. On the other hand this allows for easier billing of given user for usage of the system according to the invention (1), joint with his regular subscriber billing for communicational services. It can have also the relationship with a subject of offered courses, of the more popular character (e.g.: language courses). At such solution (A) administrative module and authoring module can be external modules, accessible from outside of the operator system and connected with the system according to the invention through a network (e.g.: wireless or internet). In particular, administrative module can be an element of operator administrative software which is used in customer service offices. In solution (A), send-and-receive module of the system according to the invention (1) sends and receives messages, through internal connection with message centers (MC) of the operator system (OpS) and is treated as another service process of the whole system. When the message center (MC) of the operator system (OpS) receive messages from the users, which are directed (through number) to the system (1) according to the invention, that center internally sends them to this system (1), where their analysis follows, then the reaction of management module which transmits the proper messages to send-and-receive module, which then internally transmit these messages to the message centre (MC) of the operator system (OpS) to send them to subscriber. Received from users messages related to the working of system (1) according to the invention, can be accounted differently, in particular using of a course can be regulated by a flat- rate. The possibility of such distinction is presumably technically easier in the realization of type (A). Such solutions are known and applied in other type of services. Thus, the system (1) according to the invention, can be yet another to connect operator service module, similar to already existing, with the functionality contained internally. If the system of operator is sufficiently effective, the presence of the system (1) according to the invention can be completely "invisible" for operator.

A realization (B) is an independent from operator computer system, where system according to the invention (2) is being executed, connected with the operator system through send-and-receive module. It can be implemented for example in an educational institution, which the system according to the invention is utilizing as a supplement to the regular offer. Such solution have economic advantages and allows for an inexpensive availability of the invention for needs of a narrow group of users. It is an advantage of such solution (B), that from the operator point of view, the system

(2) according to the invention can be visible as just another subscriber, sending and receiving messages to/from other users. It has an economic meaning, because in such implementation only a gateway (G) to the message centre of network operator is required. It allows also to build the described system on the base of the widespread personal computers and in such way obtain advantages of economic optimization. In such solution, the operator billing of the system according to the invention (2), can be the verification of the agreement with the institution.

In the solution (B) two possible practical realizations of send-and-receive module can be pointed. Transmitting a message to the gateway (G) with operator system by send-and-receive module can be made through the independent connection (e.g.: through Internet). If the gateway so requires, send-and-receive module can also made the needed translation of the sending instruction to the protocol of operator system. Such realization is assumed on figure 2.

The second realization of send-and-receive module in solution (B) is, when the system (2) according to the invention is completely "transparent" for the operator, and visible as a regular subscriber, which sends and receives messages through usual wireless connections. Then send-and-receive module can be executed as a 'telephone sending' messages to users through a operator instructed by management module and a 'telephone receiving' messages from learners. In such case no special connection to operator or even an existence of operator gateway is required. This aspect of realization is not the object of the invention and is here included only for an indication of potential ways of practical realization of the invention.

In solution (B), when the message centre (MC) of the operator system (OpS) receives message which is directed (through number) to the system (2) according to the invention, transmits it to the gateway (G), which provides the connection with the invention (2) or sends it as a regular message to a regular subscriber. The message is then received by send-and-receive module of the system (2) according to the invention.

In both realizations (A) and (B) a small modification can be required to employ the sending of voice mail message by the system according to the invention. What is required, it is sending the voice mail message to the user when he is active and can respond to connection. It can be realized as internal "cheating" of the operator system, that given number does not answer, and to turn on the voice mail service. Such implementation of this option is suggested here only. The different ways will not be difficult to find out by a person skilled in the art. Simplifying, the operator system have to accept a voice mail message for given number. Such mechanism is known and available when a user handset is switched-off and the voice mail service is answering. It may also require some modifications of voice mail service from the user side.

There can be many different practical analyzer (AN) implementations in the system according to the invention. The example of an analyzer workflow is shown on diagram on the figure 3. It assumes, that when management module (Mm) sends the questioning message, analyzer is being provided with an identifier of this requiring answer message (and the MTN number of user to which it was sent) and stores this identifier in the analyzer internal buffer, until the answer from the user arrive or given time pass. This is as follows:

Analyzer verifies, whether the questioning message has been sent to user from which message came from. It executes this through checking whether in its internal buffer, there is a given MIN number. If so, analyzer ask management module to provide the answer to this message according to its identifier. It then makes comparison. If the answer is correct, instructs management module to send to given user the confirming message, (i.e.: once again correct message as memorization process reinforcing) and if value of necessary reinforcement in given user profile points to, also send a reinforcing message. Then analyzer commands management module to increase the current assessment of given learner and the quantity of his correct answers stored in the profile. If answer is incorrect, it instructs management module to send the user the correct answer and examines preceding results, statistics and assessments and may decide to adjust the user schedule to improve learning.

If after a settled time the answer does not come from given user, it instructs to record this fact in his profile. If incoming message is from other user then users stored in an internal buffer, analyzer is examining whether it is a control message. If so, instructs management module to take actions proper to given user wish. If a message is not understood, instruct management module, to send an error message to the user. There can also exist an additional expert subsystem which estimates the level of answer correctness. This can be useful in such subjects like languages learning where some common mistakes can occur (e.g.: letter omission).

Management module can be realized according to an example of its workflow (with omission of instructions received from other modules) assuming one-minute exactness shown in diagram on figure 4. This is only the simple model of the management module and the practical realization of it can be different and it may be in particular advantageous to use more advanced techniques of data processing such as e.g. : task prediction or pre-fetch technique. This example is as follows: management module are checking every minute whether in all user schedules there are messages assigned to send in the current minute. If so, transmit these messages to send-and- receive module and modifies profiles of given users that these messages have been already sent.

There are many other possible realizations and different variants of implementation of the system according to present invention, in particular in distributed environment. It can be a system build besides the operator but connected with operator in such way, like it was its next native service, accessible for all subscribers. Such realization can be particularly interesting because, first it can be based on inexpensive PC computers, and second the network operator can benefit from services of third party companies, e.g.: educational institutions. Such institutions can build the system according to the invention on their own and it can be introduced to the general operator offer but entirely outsourced. Simultaneously, educational institutions can also benefit from such solution, by offering its educational services to much broader group of users, potentially even broader then in distance education systems connecting participants with institution through Internet. From the above example it can be seen, that the present invention can be the area of additional profits for wireless network operators as both the regular service offered, and as the benefits from the contracts with educational institutions, utilizing operator network for using with the present system and method. Also, educational institutions can benefit from the invention by introducing its educational service to wide public through wireless networks.

Table I

Table II

Table HI

Claims

What we claim is: 1. A bidirectional educational system and method, characterized in that: educational content of said system is being delivered to said system users by sending SMS, EMS, MMS and voice mail messages to their mobile wireless commumcation devices, said sending is being executed according to individual schedules, assigned to every user of said system in said user individual profile, said user profile, contains also said user current assessments, messages sending statistics, learning time estimations and type of user device, said messages are in the form of presenting messages not requiring user answer and questioning messages requiring user answer, said user profiles are modified during learning by the said system automatically, said user profiles are modified during learning by the users personally through their mobile wireless communication devices or by other means, users of said system are sending to said system answering messages to sent to them questioning messages, from their mobile wireless communication devices, said answering messages from users are being analyzed and on the basis of that analyze an automatic modification of a given user profile is being executed, users of said system are sending to said system controlling messages, from their mobile wireless communication devices, to alter said system working, to request on-demand messages and to modify their profiles, said system send to its users informative messages containing current assessments, statistics, time estimations and other data form given user profile, and such messages can be also send on user demand, said system can be externally managed and education content of said system can be authored, entered and modified.

2. A bidirectional educational system and method according to claim 1, comprising: repository (Rep) of educational content containing SMS,EMS, MMS and voice mail messages and comprising them courses designs and initial schedules of these courses, database of user profiles (Pdb), send-and-receive module (SRm) providing connection with wireless network, management module (Mm) performing message sending to said system users via send- and-receive module in accordance to stored in said user profiles schedules and realizing general service of repository and profiles database for other modules, analyzer (AN) for examining incoming from said system users messages as well as deciding and instructing of said profile modification, administrative module (ADm) for general said system management, authoring module (ATm) which provide entering, creating and changing educational content, user module (Um) providing reviewing and modifying said user profiles by different means,