1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for converting a standard text file into a text file for a xe2x80x9cfill-in-the-blanksxe2x80x9d type of teaching method and apparatus which can be implemented on a computer for learning information using the converted text file.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computer technology has been rapidly advancing, and personal computers have recently been used as teaching and learning tools. There are already a number of prior art systems which display xe2x80x9cfill-in-the-blanksxe2x80x9d questions. However, no prior art method has been directed towards how to easily create a data file for a xe2x80x9cfill-in-the-blanksxe2x80x9d type of question and answer program.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,083 issued Mar. 23, 1999 to Ferrell, and discloses a method and system for interactive speech training. This invention includes Sentence Completion and Story Completion. According to the disclosed method, sentences with an omitted word or words must be stored in memory. Further, the correct answer corresponding to the omitted word or words and incorrect answers must also be stored.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,599 issued Sep. 22, 1998 to Bishop, and discloses a system and method for interactive audio-visual foreign language maintenance. This invention utilizes a xe2x80x9cfill-in-the-blanksxe2x80x9d method for teaching foreign languages to students. According to this method, it is necessary for the system to store two kinds of sentences. One sentence comprises lines of dialog with selected word left blank, and the other sentence comprises the completed lines of dialog.
In both of these references, two kinds of data must be stored in a file or files on a storage medium. Accordingly, a user must edit both kinds of the data when creating or updating them. This is so troublesome that a dedicated program for editing the data is necessary.
Further, both prior art references require a user to input an answer. If a user inputs an answer, the computer can evaluate the answer and indicate whether the user input is correct. However it is time-consuming for a user to input an answer using a keyboard or other conventional input devices, especially when the questions are numerous.
HTML files and browsers such as Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer are well known in the art. A xe2x80x9clinkxe2x80x9d which is used in a HTML file is also well known in the art. A link to another place in the same document looks like this:
 less than A HREF=xe2x80x9c#targetxe2x80x9d greater than Click here. less than A greater than 
If the user clicks on the words xe2x80x98Click here.xe2x80x99, the browser will jump to the location in the current document marked with  less than A NAME=xe2x80x9ctargetxe2x80x9d greater than  This is the target of above link. less than /A greater than 
Using a link, a data file for a xe2x80x9cfill-in-the-blanksxe2x80x9d program can be made as follows:
The  less than 1 greater than  of the invention, which should be as short and specific as possible, should appear as a  less than 2 greater than  on the  less than 3 greater than  page of the specification, if it does not otherwise appear at the beginning of the application.
1=title
2=heading
3=first
However, a user will have difficulty in converting an ordinary text file into the data file like this. A user must extract the keywords, store them in an appropriate location, and link them. In order to do this, therefore, a dedicated program is necessary.
Not only text but also images can also be displayed. It is known that images often gives a student a strong impression, and therefore enhances the learning experience. The prior art discussed above displays images. However the position where images are displayed is fixed. After the above invention""s systems are completed, the display layout is not movable.
Below is a example of an HTML file.
 less than HTML greater than 
 less than HEAD greater than 
triangle
 less than /HEAD greater than 
 less than BODY greater than 
This is a regular triangle. less than BR greater than 
 less than IMG SRC=xe2x80x9ctriangle.jpgxe2x80x9d WIDTH=xe2x80x9c60xe2x80x9d HEIGHT=xe2x80x9c40xe2x80x9d greater than 
 less than /BODY greater than 
 less than /HTML greater than 
Using an HTML file, both text and images can be displayed in a window on the display device. The positions where images are displayed are not fixed. The position where images are displayed can be altered by altering the HTML file. However it is not visually clear for a user where and how large images are displayed when a user views the HTML file.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,439, issued Aug. 25, 1992 to Cousins, discloses a keyword teaching and testing method. According to this reference, a student does not use a computer but uses printed matter, something to write with, and something to delete keywords with, such as typewriter correction fluid. It is difficult and time-consuming to delete keywords physically especially when printed characters are small.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for learning information by keyword methodology using a computer which enables a user to easily convert a text file into a text file for a xe2x80x9cfill-in-the-blanksxe2x80x9d question program.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for presenting already acquired information through as easy operation as possible.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for presenting images with text in a window on a display device which enables a user to visually control and understand the position and size of the images when editing the text file.
The invention, therefore, includes a method of creating a computer-based teaching system, with the method comprising modifying a text file by inserting a first predetermined character at a first end of a first selected information element, and inserting a second predetermined character at a second end of the first selected information element. A blank box is created in an area defined by the first and second predetermined character. The blank box replaces the first selected information element. Data is stored in memory, representing the first selected information element. A user interface is provided, which enables selective display of either the blank boxes or the first selected information element.
The invention also includes an apparatus for teaching information. The apparatus comprises a display device, and an input device for inputting commands of a user. A computer is connected to the display device and the input device, with the system including an editing unit for editing a text file, and a storage unit for storing the text file. A position determining unit is provided for determining selected positions of predetermined characters with respect to selected information elements in the text file. A converting unit converts the text file into a combination of text and selected blank boxes based upon the selected information elements.