Tutorial apparatus

1 . A tutorial apparatus to be operated by a user, the tutorial apparatus comprising:

a processor unit;

at least one input device operationally coupled to the processor unit;

a memory unit coupled to the processor unit, wherein the memory unit comprises code for allowing the user to enter user-selected study material into the tutorial apparatus using the at least one input device, code for forming a problem using the user-selected, and user-entered study material, and code for providing assistance in solving the problem formed using the user-selected study material; and

an output device coupled to the processor unit, wherein the output device is adapted to provide the assistance to the user to help the user solve the problem.

2 . The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 wherein the problem is a math problem.

3 . The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 wherein the problem is a spelling problem.

4 . The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 wherein the problem uses fractions.

5 . The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one input device comprises buttons including numbers and mathematical symbols.

6 . The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory unit comprises code for providing different hints for different parts of the problem.

7 . The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a directional pad on a left side of the tutorial apparatus and an enter button on the right side of the tutorial apparatus.

8 . The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tutorial apparatus is hand held, and comprises a display device operatively coupled to the processor unit.

9 . A computer readable medium comprising:

code for allowing the user to enter user-selected study material into the tutorial apparatus using at least one input device in a tutorial apparatus;

code for forming a problem using the user-selected, and user-entered study material; and

code for providing assistance in solving the problem formed using the user-selected study material.

10 . The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein the problem is a math problem.

11 . The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein the problem is a spelling problem.

12 . The computer medium of claim 9 wherein the problem is a spelling problem and wherein the computer readable medium further comprises code for generating spelling distracters.

13 . The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein the assistance is step-by-step assistance that helps the user solve the problem.

14 . The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein the problem uses fractions.

15 . A method comprising:

entering a problem into a tutorial apparatus using at least one input device in the tutorial apparatus, wherein the problem is created from the user-selected study material;

receiving assistance provided by a tutorial apparatus, wherein the assistance helps to solve the problem created from the user-selected study material; and

solving the problem created from the user-selected study material using the assistance from the tutorial apparatus.

16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the problem is a math problem or a spelling problem.

17 . The method of claim 15 wherein receiving assistance comprises listening to the assistance.

18 . The method of claim 15 wherein the user-selected study material comprises a word that is selected by the user, and wherein the problem includes the word selected by the user and a plurality of words including distracters.

19 . The method of claim 15 wherein the assistance comprises step-by-step assistance that helps the user solve the problem.

20 . The method of claim 15 wherein the tutorial apparatus is portable.