On-line educational system for display of educational materials

Claim 9

A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method for providing a course-level message center and an electronic journal for use with an on-line educational system to provide on-line messages to users for particular educational courses, the method including: providing on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course; providing on-line an electronic syllabus for the educational course; receiving a message concerning the educational course; posting an indication of the message for on-line accessibility of the message by the users; providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information into the electronic journal for participation in the educational course, wherein the electronic journal provides for association of the entered information with the particular user; permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the electronic journal provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user; permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor; and selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access.

Claim 10

A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method for providing a course-level message center and an electronic journal for use with an on-line educational system to provide on-line messages to users for particular educational courses, the method including: providing on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course; providing on-line an electronic syllabus for the educational course; receiving a message concerning the educational course; posting an indication of the message for on-line accessibility of the message by the users; providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information into the electronic journal for participation in the educational course, wherein the electronic journal provides for association of the entered information with the particular user; permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the electronic journal provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user; permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor; and selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access.

Claim 11

A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method for providing an administrative message center and an electronic journal for use with an on-line educational system to provide on-line messages to users for multiple educational courses, the method including: providing on-line content concerning educational materials for a plurality of educational courses; providing on-line a plurality of electronic syllabuses for the educational courses; receiving a message concerning the plurality of educational courses; posting an indication of the message for on-line accessibility of the message by all of the users; providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information into the electronic journal for participation in the educational course, wherein the electronic journal provides for association of the entered information with the particular user; permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the electronic journal provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user; permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor; and selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access.

Claim 12

A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method for providing an administrative message center and an electronic journal for use with an on-line educational system to provide on-line messages to users for multiple educational courses, the method including: providing on-line content concerning educational materials for a plurality of educational courses; providing on-line a plurality of electronic syllabuses for the educational courses; receiving a message concerning the plurality of educational courses; posting an indication of the message for on-line accessibility of the message by all of the users; providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information into the electronic journal for participation in the educational course, wherein the electronic journal provides for association of the entered information with the particular user; permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the electronic journal provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user; permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor; and selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access.

Claim 15

The method of claim 7 wherein the providing the electronic journal step includes permitting the user to enter text, audio, video, graphics, or multimedia information into the electronic journal.

Claim 16

The method of claim 7 wherein the providing the electronic journal step includes permitting the user to modify previously-entered information in the electronic journal.

Claim 17

The method of claim 7 , further including providing an indication of the instructor-entered information.

Claim 20

The method of claim 11 , further including displaying an indication of at least one of the entries.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the journal module includes a module for permitting the user to enter text, audio, video, graphics, or multimedia information into the electronic journal.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the journal module includes a module for permitting the user to modify previously-entered information in the electronic journal.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 13 , further including a module for providing an indication of the instructor-entered information.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 17 , further including a display module for displaying an indication of at least one of the entries.

Claim 29

A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method for providing an electronic journal for users to provide information to an instructor for use with an on-line educational system, the method including: providing on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course; providing on-line an electronic syllabus for the educational course; providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information into the electronic journal for participation in the educational course, wherein the electronic journal provides for association of the entered information with the particular user; permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the electronic journal provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user; permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor; and selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access.

Claim 30

A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method for providing an electronic journal for users to provide information to an instructor for use with an on-line educational system, the method including: providing on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course; providing on-line an electronic syllabus for the educational course; providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information into the electronic journal for participation in the educational course, wherein the electronic journal provides for association of the entered information with the particular user; permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the electronic journal provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user; permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor; and selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access.

Claim 31

The computer program product of claim 19 wherein the providing the electronic journal step includes permitting the user to enter text, audio, video, graphics, or multimedia information into the electronic journal.

Claim 32

The computer program product of claim 19 , wherein the providing the electronic journal step includes permitting the user to modify previously-entered information in the electronic journal.

Claim 33

The computer program product of claim 19 , further including providing an indication of the instructor-entered information.

Claim 34

A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method for providing an electronic journal for users to provide information to an instructor for use with an on-line educational system, the method including: providing on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course; providing on-line an electronic syllabus for the educational course; providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information into the electronic journal for participation in the educational course, wherein the electronic journal provides for association of the entered information with the particular user, and wherein the providing the electronic journal step includes permitting the user to group the information entered into the electronic journal into particular entries; and permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the electronic journal provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user; and permitting the user to identify permitted access by the instructor for each of the entries.

Claim 35

A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method for providing an electronic journal for users to provide information to an instructor for use with an on-line educational system, the method including: providing on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course; providing on-line an electronic syllabus for the educational course; providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information into the electronic journal for participation in the educational course, wherein the electronic journal provides for association of the entered information with the particular user, and wherein the providing the electronic journal step includes permitting the user to group the information entered into the electronic journal into particular entries; and permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the electronic journal provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user; and permitting the user to identify permitted access by the instructor for each of the entries.

Claim 36

The computer program product of claim 23 , further including displaying an indication of at least one of the entries.

Claim 39

The method of claim 25 , further including selectively providing on-line access to the electronic syllabus by the users.

Claim 40

The method of claim 25 , wherein the receiving the identification of the assignments step includes receiving a threaded discussion assignment.

Claim 41

The method of claim 25 wherein the receiving the identification of the assignments step includes receiving a reading assignment.

Claim 42

The method of claim 28 wherein the receiving the identification of the assignments step includes receiving an indication of a file to be downloaded.

Claim 43

The method of claim 28 wherein the receiving the identification of the assignments step includes receiving an address identifying a network location of additional content for the educational course.

Claim 44

The method of claim 25 wherein the receiving the identification of the assignments step includes receiving a lecture assignment.

Claim 45

The method-of claim 25 , further including receiving an on-line exam.

Claim 46

The method of claim 25 wherein the receiving the identification of the educational materials step includes receiving audio, video, or multimedia information.

Claim 47

The method of claim 25 , further including editing the identification of the units, the identification of the assignments, or the identification of the educational materials.

Claim 50

The apparatus of claim 35 , further including a module for selectively providing on-line access to the electronic syllabus by the users.

Claim 51

The apparatus of claim 35 herein the assignment module includes a module for receiving a threaded discussion assignment.

Claim 52

The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the assignment module includes a module for receiving a reading assignment.

Claim 53

The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the assignment module includes a module for receiving an indication of a file to be downloaded.

Claim 54

The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the assignment module includes a module for receiving an address identifying a network location of additional content for the educational course.

Claim 55

The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the assignment module includes a module for receiving a lecture assignment.

Claim 56

The apparatus of claim 35 , further including a module for receiving an on-line exam.

Claim 57

The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the material module includes a module for receiving audio, video, or multimedia information.

Claim 58

The apparatus of claim 35 , further including a module for editing the identification of the units, the identification of the assignments, or the identification of the educational materials.

Claim 59

A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method for permitting an instructor to develop an on-line course having an electronic journal for an on-line educational system, the method including: receiving an identification of units each representing portions of an educational course; receiving an identification of assignments for the units; receiving an identification of educational materials for the units; compiling the units, the assignments, and the educational materials into an on-line electronic syllabus for the educational course; providing on-line content concerning the educational materials for the educational course; providing on-line the electronic syllabus for the educational course; providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information into the electronic journal for participation in the educational course, wherein the electronic journal provides for association of the entered information with the particular user; permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the electronic journal provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user; permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor; and selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access.

Claim 60

A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method for permitting an instructor to develop an on-line course having an electronic journal for an on-line educational system, the method including: receiving an identification of units each representing portions of an educational course; receiving an identification of assignments for the units; receiving an identification of educational materials for the units; compiling the units, the assignments, and the educational materials into an on-line electronic syllabus for the educational course; providing on-line content concerning the educational materials for the educational course; providing on-line the electronic syllabus for the educational course; providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information into the electronic journal for participation in the educational course, wherein the electronic journal provides for association of the entered information with the particular user; permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the electronic journal provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user; permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor; and selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access.

Claim 61

The computer program product of claim 45 , further including selectively providing on-line access to the electronic syllabus by the users.

Claim 62

The computer program product of claim 45 wherein the receiving the identification of the assignments step includes receiving a threaded discussion assignment.

Claim 63

The computer program product of claim 45 wherein the receiving the identification of the assignments step includes receiving a reading assignment.

Claim 64

The computer program product of claim 48 wherein the receiving the identification of the assignments step includes receiving an indication of a file to be downloaded.

Claim 65

The computer program product of claim 48 wherein the receiving the identification of the assignments step includes receiving an address identifying a network location of additional content for the educational course.

Claim 66

The computer program product of claim 45 wherein the receiving the identification of the assignments step includes receiving a lecture assignment.

Claim 67

The computer program product of claim 45 , further including receiving an on-line exam.

Claim 68

The computer program product of claim 45 , wherein the receiving the identification of the educational materials step includes receiving audio, video, or multimedia information.

Claim 69

The computer program product of claim 45 , further including editing the identification of the units, the identification of the assignments, or the identification of the educational materials.

Claim 72

The method of claim 55 wherein the providing information step includes providing information identifying an enrollment for a particular user.

Claim 73

The method of claim 55 wherein the providing information step includes providing information identifying a registration history for a particular user.

Claim 74

The method of claim 55 wherein the providing information step includes providing information identifying payment by a particular user.

Claim 75

The method of claim 55 wherein the providing information step includes providing a report having information identifying a particular user.

Claim 76

The method of claim 55 wherein the providing information step includes providing a report having information identifying a particular course.

Claim 77

The method of claim 55 , further including searching for information related to a particular user based upon user-entered information.

Claim 80

The apparatus of claim 62 , wherein the administrative module includes a module for providing information identifying an enrollment for a particular user.

Claim 81

The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the administrative module includes a module for providing information identifying a registration history for a particular user.

Claim 82

The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the administrative module includes a module for providing information identifying payment by a particular user.

Claim 83

The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the administrative module includes a module for providing a report having information identifying a particular user.

Claim 84

The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the administrative module includes a module for providing a report having information identifying a particular course.

Claim 85

The apparatus of claim 62 , further including a module for searching for information related to a particular user based upon user-entered information.

Claim 86

A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method for providing administrative pages and an electronic journal for use with an on-line educational system, the method including: providing on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course; providing on-line an electronic syllabus for the educational course; providing information, accessible on-line by users of the system, concerning administrative functions related to the educational course; providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information into the electronic journal for participation in the educational course, wherein the electronic journal provides for association of the entered information with the particular user; permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the electronic journal provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user; permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor; and selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access.

Claim 87

A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method for providing administrative pages and an electronic journal for use with an on-line educational system, the method including: providing on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course; providing on-line an electronic syllabus for the educational course; providing information, accessible on-line by users of the system, concerning administrative functions related to the educational course; providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information into the electronic journal for participation in the educational course, wherein the electronic journal provides for association of the entered information with the particular user; permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the electronic journal provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user; permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor; and selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access.

Claim 88

The computer program product of claim 69 wherein the providing information step includes providing information identifying an enrollment for a particular user.

Claim 89

The computer program product of claim 69 wherein the providing information step includes providing information identifying a registration history for a particular user.

Claim 90

The computer program product of claim 69 wherein the providing information step includes providing information identifying payment by a particular user.

Claim 91

The computer program product of claim 69 wherein the providing information step includes providing a report having information identifying a particular user.

Claim 92

The computer program product of claim 69 wherein the providing information step includes providing a report having information identifying a particular course.

Claim 93

The computer program product of claim 69 , further including searching for information related to a particular user based upon user-entered information.

Claim 94

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use in providing messages to users, and providing a link to a journal screen, for an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; an index section in the screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; an input section in the screen for receiving a message concerning the educational course; and a message section in the screen for posting an indication of the message for on-line accessibility of the message by the users, wherein the screen includes a link to a journal screen for display on a display device, the journal screen including: an index section in the journal screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the journal screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the journal screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.

Claim 95

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use in providing messages to users, and providing a link to a journal screen, for an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; an index section in the screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; an input section in the screen for receiving a message concerning the educational course; and a message section in the screen for posting an indication of the message for on-line accessibility of the message by the users, wherein the screen includes a link to a journal screen for display on a display device, the journal screen including: an index section in the journal screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the journal screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the journal screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.

Claim 96

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use in document sharing between users and an instructor, and providing a link to a journal screen, in an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; an index section in the screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a receive section in the screen for use in receiving an education-related document from a particular one of the users and associating a message with the document based upon information entered by the particular user; and a store section in the screen for indicating storage of the document with the message for accessibility by an intended recipient of the document, wherein the screen includes a link to a journal screen for display on a display device, the journal screen including: an index section in the journal screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the journal screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the journal screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.

Claim 97

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use in document sharing between users and an instructor, and providing a link to a journal screen, in an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; an index section in the screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a receive section in the screen for use in receiving an education-related document from a particular one of the users and associating a message with the document based upon information entered by the particular user; and a store section in the screen for indicating storage of the document with the message for accessibility by an intended recipient of the document, wherein the screen includes a link to a journal screen for display on a display device, the journal screen including: an index section in the journal screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the journal screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the journal screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.

Claim 98

The screen of claim 77 , further including a notify section in the screen for notifying the intended recipient of the document when the screen is accessed by the intended recipient.

Claim 99

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use in providing an electronic journal to users in an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; an index section in the screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.

Claim 100

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use in providing an electronic journal to users in an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; an index section in the screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.

Claim 101

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use by an instructor in providing an on-line gradebook, and providing a link to a journal screen, in an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; an index section in the screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a receive section in the screen for receiving from the instructor grade information relating to users assignments for the educational course; and a gradebook section in the screen for posting the grade information in an on-line gradebook, wherein the screen includes a link to a journal screen for display on a display device, the journal screen including: an index section in the journal screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the journal screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the journal screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.

Claim 102

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use by an instructor in providing an on-line gradebook, and providing a link to a journal screen, in an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; an index section in the screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a receive section in the screen for receiving from the instructor grade information relating to users assignments for the educational course; and a gradebook section in the screen for posting the grade information in an on-line gradebook, wherein the screen includes a link to a journal screen for display on a display device, the journal screen including: an index section in the journal screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the journal screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the journal screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.

Claim 103

The screen of claim 80 , further including an a grade information section in the screen for permitting each user to access the on-line gradebook and for use in restricting each user's access of information in the on-line gradebook to information corresponding to their completion of the assignments.

Claim 104

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use in permitting an instructor to develop an on-line course, and providing a link to a journal screen, for an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; a unit section in the screen for receiving an identification of units each representing portions of an educational course; an assignment section in the screen for receiving an identification of assignments for the units; a content section in the screen for receiving an identification of educational materials for the units; and a syllabus section in the screen for illustrating a compilation of the units, the assignments, and the educational materials into an electronic syllabus for the educational course, wherein the screen includes a link to a journal screen for display on a display device, the journal screen including: an index section in the journal screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the journal screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the journal screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.

Claim 105

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use in permitting an instructor to develop an on-line course, and providing a link to a journal screen, for an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; a unit section in the screen for receiving an identification of units each representing portions of an educational course; an assignment section in the screen for receiving an identification of assignments for the units; a content section in the screen for receiving an identification of educational materials for the units; and a syllabus section in the screen for illustrating a compilation of the units, the assignments, and the educational materials into an electronic syllabus for the educational course, wherein the screen includes a link to a journal screen for display on a display device, the journal screen including: an index section in the journal screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the journal screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the journal screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.

Claim 106

The screen of claim 82 wherein the syllabus section includes a plurality of icons identifying the assignments.

Claim 107

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use in providing administrative pages, and providing a link to a journal screen, for an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; an index section in the screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; and an administrative section in the screen for providing information, accessible on-line by users of the system, concerning administrative functions related to the educational course, wherein the screen includes a link to a journal screen for display on a display device, the journal screen including: an index section in the journal screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the journal screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the journal screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.

Claim 108

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use in providing administrative pages, and providing a link to a journal screen, for an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; an index section in the screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; and an administrative section in the screen for providing information, accessible on-line by users of the system, concerning administrative functions related to the educational course, wherein the screen includes a link to a journal screen for display on a display device, the journal screen including: an index section in the journal screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the journal screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the journal screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.

Claim 109

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use in providing exam questions to users, and providing a link to a journal screen, for an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; an index section in the screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; and an exam question section in the screen for providing on-line to the users exam questions with multimedia content and for use in receiving on-line answers to the exam questions, wherein the screen includes a link to-a journal screen for display on a display device, the journal screen including: an index section in the journal screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the journal screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the journal screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.

Claim 110

A screen for use in electronically displaying information for use in providing exam questions to users, and providing a link to a journal screen, for an on-line educational system, comprising: a screen for display on a display device; an index section in the screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; and an exam question section in the screen for providing on-line to the users exam questions with multimedia content and for use in receiving on-line answers to the exam questions, wherein the screen includes a link to-a journal screen for display on a display device, the journal screen including: an index section in the journal screen for selecting a home page screen having a content section identifying on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course and having a syllabus section for providing an electronic syllabus for the educational course; a journal section in the journal screen for providing an electronic journal for a particular one of the users permitting the particular user to enter information for participation in the educational course, wherein the journal section provides for association of the entered information with the particular user and wherein the journal section provides for permitting the user to selectively identify permitted access to the electronic journal by the instructor and for selectively providing access to the electronic journal by the instructor based upon the particular user's identification of permitted access; and a comment section in the journal screen for permitting the instructor to enter information into the electronic journal for viewing by the particular user, wherein the comment section provides for secure access to the instructor's entered information by the particular user.