DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0001] While the invention has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents
may be substituted without depru.1ing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many
modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation or material to the teachings of
the invention without departing from its scope.
[0002] Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the mearungs
explicitly associated herein unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The meaning of "a",
"an", and "the" include plural references. The meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on."
Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views.
Additionally, a reference to the singular includes a reference to the plural unless otherwise
stated or inconsistent with the disclosure herein.
[0003] The invention in its vanous embodiments proposes a system referred to as
"Classroom tablet program" (CTP). A main server is connected to the plurality of classroom
servers wherein at least one of the plurality of classroom servers is connected to the main
server. There is a plurality of smart devices wherein at least one of the plurality of smart
devices is associated with an instructor and one or more attendees, wherein at least one of the
smart devices is connected to the classroom server; and an interactive board connected with
at least one of the plurality of smart devices to display one or more documents, wherein at
least one of the document is shru.·ed with at least one of the plurality of smart devices
associated with one or more of the attendees of the classroom. The classroom is equipped
with interactive board which is featured with real-time document annotation and the
annotated document can be shared with attendees.
[0004] Referring to FIG.1, which describes a classroom environment that comprises of an
instructor device 100, the student devices 101 , the classroom server 150, the interactive board
102, the main server 151 ; the instructor device, attendees' devices and the interactive boru.·d
exchange data via wireless or wired network 200 with classroom server 150 and the
classroom server 150 exchange data via wireless or wired network 201 with main server. The
servers may acts as routing device. The instructor and attendees' devices are preferably smru1
devices in the embodiment of the present invention, may comprise, for example, smru.1 phone,
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tablet, phablet, laptop, personal digital assistant (PDA) and the like. The instructor's device
100 and attendees devices 101 comprises a memory, a processor, a touch sensitive display
module, an audio module, radio frequency (RF) module, battery and the like. These
components communicate with each other via communication buses. Other than pre-installed
applications, the memory is used to store software programs of the CTP and other educational
content; the processor mns software programs stored in the memory to perform the
application functions and data processing functions. The RF module helps in transmitting and
receiving data so as to communicate with other devices and server via the network 200. The
audio module provides an audio interface to the user.
[0005] The touch screen of the instructor's device 100 and attendees' devices 1 01 also
provides a user interface input and output. Specifically, the touch screen displays the users a
specific teaching media that may include text, graphics, video, and any combination thereof.
Network 200 is configured to couple one smart device with another smart device. Networks
200 and 201 may include intemet in addition to LAN, wired wide area networks (WANs),
wireless W ANs via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, satellite, modem or telephone link, wired connections,
such as through an Ethemet port or a universal serial bus (USB) port. Networks 150 and 151
may further employ a plurality of satellite communication technologies including 2G, 2.5G,
3G, 4G and the like future generations.
[0006] The users may be required to register the devices before getting access to the CTP
module. The registration ofthe smart devices with the main server comprises:
a) The smart device entering the coverage area ofthe main server Wi-Fi;
b) Launching and executing CTP application in the mobile computing device;
c) The smart device connecting to the CTP infrastructure;
d) The main server recognizing the smart device is not yet registered and instructing the user
to prompt for registration.
During registration, the main server may save the device MAC ID, user type, school ID and
user details such as name, class, section, etc. It is required for the user to login from the main
server for the first time for user authentication. The device MAC ID is registered against the
login credentials provided by the user.
[0007] Referring to FIG. 2, when the attendee logs 300 onto the device, the instructor can
input the start command 310 on his/her device's touch panel and records attendance
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320,wherein after the classroom server 150 automatically tracks the attendance of the
attendees by the device's MAC ID. The attendance data is then further sent to the main server
151. The class instructor records full-day attendance 330 of the class which is one-time
activity and the period instructor records period attendance 340 of that particular period. The
class instructor may be able to see period attendance of the attendees for all the periods
whereas the period instructor may be able to see his/her own period attendance and not for
any other periods. The date and time of each login of the attendees will be tracked and reports
are generated 350 of when and how many times an attendee has logged in to the application.
If the user logs in the offline mode, the application authenticates the users through the offline
variables.
[0008] Attendance reports 350 may be generated at any time from the application using the
report module. The report module can access the data in the application database, or any
other host databases, to generate reports that highlight trends in student attendance for a
variety of comparative factors including trends for particular students or particular groups,
trends by periods. As a result, report module can produce a wealth of attendance information
aggregated across wide variations in date and subject-wise periods. The reports may be
exported into different types of file formats like comma-separated values, Portable Document
Format (PDF), HTML table, Microsoft excel, tab-separated values, XML format or any other
customised data formats.
[0009) The attendance is maintained in the database of main server. The database is used for
data storage of information related to attendance data, login and logout time data, and the
like. The database can represent multiple datasets and can be used for the storage of a variety
of data in support of the Classroom tablet program.
[0010) Real time notifications will update the instructor about attendees' class presence. Due
to any reason, if an attendee discontinue a particular period during the lecture, a notification
appear on the instructor's screen intimating about the attendee's discontinuation of the class
with the name of attendee. However, this will not impact attendance status of the attendee.
The attendee will not be able to edit his/her own attendance status. The attendee has option to
refresh the attendance to check his/her latest status.
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[0011] The instructor is allowed to edit the status of attendance from absent to present during
the following pre-defmed events:
a) Attendee's tab device not working.
b) Attendee has joined the class late.
c) Attendee has discontinued the class.
d) Any indefinable circumstances.
If the attendance of full-day class mismatches with any of the period attendance, the class
instructor and period instructor receives a notification about the mismatch with the list of
student names.
[0012] The interactive board 102 is an electronic touch sensitive screen. The lecture will be
launched on interactive board 102 by default. The instructor may choose to switch to device
or continue using interactive board any time as per his/her own teaching requirements. If the
instructor chases interactive board mode 390, the screens of attendees devices turns into
'black-out' mode and the content is launched 410 on interactive board. In black-out mode, the
attendee's device displays black screen and in black-in mode, the attendee will be able to use
the device.
[0013] If the session is conducted from instructor device mode 370, the instructor can lock or
unlock 380 the attendees' devices. The screens of the attendees' device may be controlled by
instructor in lock mode whereas, in unlock mode, the attendee may pursue study at his/her
own pace; however, the attendee may browse through other services of the application.
[0014] When the instructor starts the period from the device, the attendees' receive
notification on their device that the class is about to start along with the instructor's name.
The instructor can exercise various controls from 'Right Flyer Menu' which facilitates
lock/unlock, mute/unmute and black out/ black in. This feature is only available in
instructor's device and not available on attendee's device.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 2, the instructor may be able to assign homework 710 by creating it
either on the device or from the interactive board and may be able to attach different types of
multimedia files like PPT, videos, audio file, word document and the like. The instructor can
also create an annotated file 610 from the interactive board and sent it as assignment 620 to
the attendees and the attendees receiving the document 630 with a notification. The instructor
can create and share a homework file 710. After receiving the homework 720 by the attendee
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on the device, the attendee will be able to work and submit 730 the homework by answering
it on their device or by attaching the homework file and upload. Instructor receives the
submitted homework on the device and evaluates 740 with marks and remarks. The attendee
receives the evaluated homework 750. Homework may be assigned to an individual, a group
or a class.
[0016] The instructor would be able to see the list of assigned homework, list of submissions
and pendency report. The attendee can view his/her submissions and corrected homework
received with instructor's remarks on it. This operates in both online and offline mode.
Homework creation, answering homework and corrections can be done in offline mode, but
sending and receiving of the files may require online connectivity.
[0017] The application interface has 'daily diary' to share circulars, notices and messages for
regular communication of instructor with the attendees, colleagues, a class, a group, an
individual and with parents. The attendee can communicate with his/her class instructor or
subject instructor only. It can be operated in both online and offline mode. In online mode
messages are forwarded immediately, whereas in offline mode messages remains in sender's
device and will be forwarded when connected with the main server.
[0018] The instructor's device is facilitated to create groups for assigning homework and
projects, sharing notes and sending messages through daily diary and attendee can view only
their group members in his/her device. Groups can be created on both online and offline
mode. The attendee can see only his/her group during online mode. Instructor can make
different groups for a class. The instructor can make a group 'inactive' temporarily. A group
automatically become 'inactive' incase all the attendees are removed from it. The attendees
can only view the members of his/her own group.
[0019) The instructor can share 'Notes' with the attendees, a particular group and public. The
instructor and attendees can create notes and share. The attendee can share notes with his/her
class instructor and subject instructor only. Sharing of notes is possible in online mode only
but can be created and saved in offline mode as well. Notes saved can be edited and can be
sent as new notes. Notes can be shared publicly. Weblinks can be shared through notes. The
instructor can share notes with class, group, individual and with public. The attendees' can
share notes with subject instructor or class instructor.
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[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, the system facilitates assessment of attendees from pre-designed
questionnaire from repository or quick on-the-spot assessments. When the instructor shares
810 the assessment test to the attendees', they will receive 820 real-time notification about
the assessment on their device. When the attendee answers and submits 830 the assessment,
the instructor receives a notification. The instructor evaluates 840 the submissions and result
reports are stored in the main server and can be viewed 850 by the attendee. The instructor
can track attendee-wise and class-wise performance record. The instructor can view status of
submissions of each attendee. The attendee can view only his/her results. If in case, the
device become non-responsive, the attendee is intimated on login screen that the class is in
progress and automatically taken to the last state of the application.
[0021] The instructors can stop the session from their device. Referring to FIG. 3, when the
session is stopped 910 by the instructor, the interactive board displays normal mode 920 and
the instructor's device and attendees' devices display default dashboard 930. Only one class
for a particular section can be conducted at a time. For example, if 6A is started by an
instructor, no other instructor will be able to start the class for 6A unless the first instructor
stops the class.
[0022] The embodiments and implementations described above are illustrative examples and
it should not be construed that the present invention is limited to these particular
embodiments. Thus various changes and modifications may be effected by one skilled in the
art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims.

Claims: 1. A system for learning and assessment in a classroom comprising:
a main server;
a plurality of classroom servers, wherein at least one of the plurality of classroom servers is connected to the main server;
a plurality of smart devices, wherein at least one of the plurality of smart devices is associated with an instructor and one or more attendees, wherein at least one of the smart devices is connected to the classroom server; and
an interactive board connected with at least one of the plurality of smart devices to display one or more documents, wherein at least one of the document is shared with at least one of the plurality of smart devices associated with one or more of the attendees of the classroom.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smart device associated with the instructor is configured to facilitate assessment of one or more of the attendees, wherein the assessment is conducted from amongst a plurality of pre-defined questions stored in a pre-defined repository and obtain responses to at least one of the pre-defined questions.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smart device associated with the instructor is configured to receive a plurality of administrative instructions from the main server, wherein the smart device associated with the instructor is configured to send the plurality of administrative instructions to the plurality of smart devices associated with one or more of the attendees.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the one or more documents are stored in the device of the instructor.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interactive board enables real-time annotations of one or more of the documents.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of classroom servers is configured to record the presence of an attendee in the classroom.

7. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the smart device of the instructor is configured to mute or unmute at least one of the smart devices associated with the attendee.
8. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the smart device associated with the instructor is configured to lock or unlock at least one of the smart devices associated with the attendee.

9. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the smart device associated with the instructor is configured to create plurality of groups and assign tasks.

10. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the smart device associated with the instructor is configured to attach multimedia files and sharing with the plurality of attendees.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of smart devices and each of the plurality of classroom server is connected through a wireless communication interface.

12. A method for learning and assessment in a classroom comprising steps of:

recording the attendance of a one or more of attendees in an instructor device wherein the plurality of attendees logs onto the associated smart devices in the classroom;

editing the attendance of one or more of the attendees in the instructor device by the instructor based on pre-defined events of discontinuance of the attendees from the classroom; and

annotating a plurality of documents stored in the instructor device, wherein the instructor is enabled to annotate the documents displayed on the interactive board in real-time and the annotated document is shared with the plurality of smart devices associated with one or more of the attendees of the classroom.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pre-defined events of discontinuance of the attendees from the classroom includes malfunctioning of the smart devices associated with one or more of the attendees, delay in joining the class by the attendee, and discontinuance of the class by the attendee.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein attendance of each of one or more of the attendees is configured to be editable from at least one of a present to an absent and from an absent to a present.

15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the instructor is enabled to annotate the documents displayed on the interactive board.
16. The method as claimed in claim 12, the sharing of the annotated document with the plurality of smart devices associated with one or more of the attendees of the classroom is through a wireless communication network. ,