A system is disclosed that provides an interactive rewards-based method that uses a protocol for instructional response in order to provide a motivating, individualized educational and entertaining experience. The system utilizes an interface through a computer. The system offers the user (a.k.a. student) simulated environments that represent different realities and an opportunity to solve interesting problems and learning puzzles. When the user inputs a response this calls forth a system response using the built-in Intelligent Mentor, thereby teaching the user. The iterative response process provides the user opportunities to discovery before proceeding to a higher level of the subject material. The pedagogical system uses neural nets (engine of artificial intelligence) that drive responses that are synchronized to typographical and graphical illustrations and/or pictorial illustrations used to simulate reality and to provide dynamic interactions. Stages of progression are integrated into the pedagogical system in order to provide users with individually paced experiences determined by the level of difficulty and rate of performance per time period. Users' interaction involves real-time decision-making and fusion of the educational material. It involves programs in computer medium that create a rewards-based system to provide a motivating educational and/or entertainment environment including natural attractions that further motivate continuous involvement in the learning process. Encoded lessons are enabled in the system that provide feedback on aspects of user performance such as mission management, mathematical solutions, recognition, matching, and utilizing data to solve problems and puzzles. The user receives credits each time he/she successfully completes a section. Credits are additive and may be exchanged for material rewards by using this invention of the 'virtual mall' for the computer network. The rewards redemption system includes a server in communication with the users computer mechanism to form a network that may include the Internet. The credits may be saved or can be exchanged for material reward certificates. If redeemed, the student player is dispensed a specific verifiable reward acknowledgement. The computer system can also provide for competition games played for a rivalry of credits by a number of users. Reward information, such as reward costs in terms of specific credit redemption is automatically determined by the system. While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, it is contemplated that alterations, variations and equivalents thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art of pedagogy upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. For example, many types of problems/solution sets and puzzles can be provided for use with the disclosed rewards based system, and the computer tool can be utilized for classroom teaching as well. Thus variations can be used. It is noted that the rewards-based system of redemption can be implemented on a single computer connected to other computers, with or without use of the Internet. However, the preferred embodiment illustrated here envisions that the invention will be used in a broad network such as the Internet. The provision of rewards can be achieved by redemption certificates or electronically. It is therefore intended that the claims include all such alterations, variations, and equivalents as fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. This rewards-based pedagogical system offering lessons within simulated environments and providing for various reward redemptions represents advancement in pedagogical systems for computer-assisted learning and paradigms of progressive skill-development.
Interactive rewards-based pedagogical system using an engine of artificial intelligence