Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation.

A deep reading machine and method are disclosed in which a written language document may be transformed into a computer delivered kinetic framework of four dimensional rendered language. By removing the constraints of normal language reading, the machine and method create a watching, journey experience of gathering language in a multi-dimensional format. Using the machine and method, a reader comprehends language in an interactive, immersive and perceptually enjoyable reading experience.

A toy has one or more LED light sources positioned on the toy so the light source illuminates beyond the toy. A toy to be worn on the human finger comprises a body includes an anchoring portion for receiving or locating a finger or fingers. A LED or other light source is operated on the toy to interact with photo-luminescent ink and other inks pre-printed or included in a decoration on the surface of another item such as a book or other toy. The toy is a reading tool or a light source or an enhancement of other toys or writings. The LED light sources include a black light and/or other LED lights of other colors. The lights are connected to a circuit board and an integrated power source, which are connected to a switch encased on the toy.

Disclosed are a method, a device, a system, and/or manufacture of electronic enhancement of a book for shared learning and/or interactive experience. In one embodiment a method includes designating a set of two or more enhancement units, e.g., a book GUID corresponding to a unique printed copy of a book and/or an enhancement device UID in combination with a book UID corresponding to any printed copy. The method generates a group UID and associates two or more enhancement units to form a group. The method generates an audio dataset through selecting the page UID of a page, receiving a first audio signal, storing the first audio signal, generating the audio dataset, and associating the page UID and the audio file such that the book can be sound enhanced for a user of the group. The method detects a network connection from an enhancement unit and transmits the audio dataset.

According to some embodiments, a reading comprehension apparatus comprises a processor, an optimized reading comprehension display, and a selection tool to select text within a digitized portion of a written work. A word ranking engine ranks each word from the selected text, via the processor. A filtering engine identifies a plurality of top-ranked words within the selected text and an animation engine animates and displays each of the top-ranked words identified by the processor in a sequential manner on the optimized reading comprehension display. Furthermore, the animation engine displays a presentation of the selected text including the top-ranked words in a highlighted manner.

A system for encouraging a child to learn to read, comprising a computing device and at least one physical manipulative, wherein the computing device can identify the physical manipulative and display at least one word relating to the physical manipulative. In an embodiment, a letter identification board with letter manipulatives is included, wherein a child can spell out a word on the letter identification board and the computing device shows an animation of the physical manipulative performing the action indicated by the word.

Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation.

Computer-based systems and methods support linguistic education between a tutor and a student using mobile computing devices with touchscreen user interfaces for both that allow the tutor to deliver lesson prompts and monitor in real-time, on his/her mobile device, responses made by the student on the student's mobile device. The linguistic lessons can be quickly created and individualized for each student, based on statistical estimates of student knowledge of each concept in the appropriate scope and sequence. The planned lesson may then be downloaded onto the tutor's mobile device for delivery in a tutoring session. The tutor uses the touchscreen interface of the tutor mobile device to select concept prompts in the downloaded lesson. These prompts can then be displayed on the student's input device. The student may use an input component of the student mobile device to enter a response that is then transmitted back to the tutor mobile device. The student may also answer orally. The tutor, through the touchscreen interface of the tutor mobile device, records correctness and the required hint level for each student response given during a lesson. These records can then be uploaded to the host computer system and used to update a Student Model after the lesson is complete. After it is updated, the Student Model can be used to plan the next lesson for that student.

Computer-based systems and methods support linguistic education between a tutor and a student using mobile computing devices with touchscreen user interfaces for both that allow the tutor to deliver lesson prompts and monitor in real-time, on his/her mobile device, responses made by the student on the student's mobile device. The linguistic lessons can be quickly created and individualized for each student, based on statistical estimates of student knowledge of each concept in the appropriate scope and sequence. The planned lesson may then be downloaded onto the tutor's mobile device for delivery in a tutoring session. The tutor uses the touchscreen interface of the tutor mobile device to select concept prompts in the downloaded lesson. These prompts can then be displayed on the student's input device. The student may use an input component of the student mobile device to enter a response that is then transmitted back to the tutor mobile device. The student may also answer orally. The tutor, through the touchscreen interface of the tutor mobile device, records correctness and the required hint level for each student response given during a lesson. These records can then be uploaded to the host computer system and used to update a Student Model after the lesson is complete. After it is updated, the Student Model can be used to plan the next lesson for that student.

Systems and methods are provided for generating texts appropriate for a reading level of an individual. An existing exam unit is accessed, wherein the existing exam unit includes a reading passage and a plurality of questions related to the reading passage. The plurality of questions are filtered based on a criterion to form a subset of questions. A first difficulty score is determined based on the reading passage. A second difficulty score is determined based on the subset of questions. A correlation between the first difficulty score and the second difficulty score is determined, and a text is generated that is appropriate for a reading level of an individual based on performance of the individual on the exam unit.