System and method for training with a virtual apparatus

1 . A method of training in conjunction with a computer animation executed by a computing environment, the method comprising:

creating a logical construct including establishing a set of consistent rules;

providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained;

teaching the user to understand logically consistent goals by using the virtual apparatus and without language interaction;

modeling properties and the set of consistent rules for a subject area to the user by the virtual apparatus without language interaction; teaching the user to operate the virtual apparatus without language interaction; and

requesting the user to operate the virtual apparatus to reach goals in a sequence of problems having progressive difficulty and without language interaction.

2 . The method of claim 1 , additionally comprising:

selecting an appropriate subject matter area; and

selecting a sequence of problems according to the selected subject matter area.

3 . The method of claim 1 , additionally comprising establishing error tolerances for the problems.

4 . The method of claim 1 , additionally comprising determining if the user has mastered a subject area sub-category.

5 . The method of claim 4 , additionally comprising introducing language elements to the user in conjunction with the computer animation if the user has mastered a subject area sub-category.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the language elements comprise numerals and/or labels.

7 . A method of training in conjunction with a computer animation executed by a computing environment, the method comprising:

recognizing a task to be performed in the computer animation;

recognizing a problem, displayed in the computer animation, to accomplish the task; and

solving the problem by manipulation of a virtual apparatus executing in the computing environment.

8 . The method of claim 7 , additionally comprising animating positive feedback to a user if the problem was solved correctly.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein animating positive feedback comprises showing the user why the problem was solved correctly.

10 . The method of claim 8 , additionally comprising introducing language elements to the user in conjunction with the computer animation.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the language elements comprise numerals and/or labels.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the language elements are added to the display near the virtual apparatus.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the language elements are added to the display in place of portions of the virtual apparatus.

14 . The method of claim 10 , additionally comprising solving a new problem in a language-analytic environment wherein the new problem and the solved problem are related to a concept being taught.

15 . The method of claim 7 , additionally comprising animating negative feedback to a user if the problem was not solved correctly.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein animating negative feedback comprises showing the user why the problem was not solved correctly.

17 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the method of training is self-contained.

18 . The method of claim 7 , wherein solving the problem utilizes spatial temporal reasoning.

19 . The method of claim 7 , additionally comprising designating a task to be performed in the computer animation.

20 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the computer animation includes only essential images.

21 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the positive feedback computer animation includes only essential output.

22 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the negative feedback computer animation includes only essential output.

23 . A method of training in conjunction with a computer animation executed by a computing environment, the method comprising:

recognizing a task to be performed in the computer animation;

recognizing a problem, displayed in the computer animation, to accomplish the task; and

solving the problem using a virtual apparatus with virtual components displayed in the computer animation.

24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the method of training is without intervention and instruction by a teacher.

25 . A system for training, the system comprising:

a computing environment executing a computer animation;

a module configured to recognize a task to be performed in the computer animation;

a module configured to recognize a problem, displayed in the computer animation, to accomplish the task; and

a virtual apparatus with virtual components displayed in the computer animation for solving the problem.

26 . A system for training, the system comprising:

a computing environment executing a computer animation;

means for recognizing a task to be performed in the computer animation;

means for recognizing a problem, displayed in the computer animation, to accomplish the task; and

a virtual apparatus with virtual components displayed in the computer animation for solving the problem.

27 . A computer readable medium containing software that, when executed, causes the computer to perform the acts of:

recognizing a task to be performed in a computer animation;

recognizing a problem, displayed in the computer animation, to accomplish the task; and

solving the problem using a virtual apparatus with virtual components displayed in the computer animation.

28 . A method of training, the method comprising:

providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and

teaching the user to understand logically consistent goals by using the virtual apparatus and without language interaction.

29 . A computer readable medium containing software that, when executed, causes the computer to perform the acts of:

providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and

teaching the user to understand logically consistent goals by using the virtual apparatus and without language interaction.

30 . A method of training, the method comprising:

providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and

modeling rules and properties for a subject area to the user by the virtual apparatus without language interaction.

31 . A computer readable medium containing software that, when executed, causes the computer to perform the acts of:

providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and

modeling rules and properties for a subject area to the user by the virtual apparatus without language interaction.

32 . A method of training, the method comprising:

providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and

teaching the user to operate the virtual apparatus without language interaction.

33 . A computer readable medium containing software that, when executed, causes the computer to perform the acts of:

providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and

teaching the user to operate the virtual apparatus without language interaction.

34 . A method of training, the method comprising:

providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and

requesting the user to operate the virtual apparatus to reach goals in a sequence of problems having progressive difficulty and without language interaction.

35 . A computer readable medium containing software that, when executed, causes the computer to perform the acts of:

providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and

requesting the user to operate the virtual apparatus to reach goals in a sequence of problems having progressive difficulty and without language interaction.