초록 ▼

One embodiment is on a computer-implemented learning method and system in a window environment at a display that can help get the attention of a user. In another embodiment, a computer-aided-educational method and system consider a student's concentration level when teaching the student. The system

One embodiment is on a computer-implemented learning method and system in a window environment at a display that can help get the attention of a user. In another embodiment, a computer-aided-educational method and system consider a student's concentration level when teaching the student. The system monitors automatically more than once the student's concentration-sensitive behavior while the student is working on the study materials. Through monitoring the student's volitional or involuntary behavior, the system provides an indication on the student's concentration level. Based on the indication, the system could react accordingly. Reactions include, for example, providing rewards, punishments, and stimulation; or changing the study materials. The system can also react by asking the student a question to stimulate the student or to assess the student's understanding level. Based on the student's response, the system may change to more appropriate study materials, or presentation style.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A computer-implemented method for assisting a user to learn via a display coupled to a computing device, the method comprising: providing, in accordance with instructions of a computer program executed by at least one computer processor, materials to be presented to the user to learn via a first

1. A computer-implemented method for assisting a user to learn via a display coupled to a computing device, the method comprising: providing, in accordance with instructions of a computer program executed by at least one computer processor, materials to be presented to the user to learn via a first window that is at least partially viewable via the display, where a second window is also at least partially viewable via the display; andupon failure to receive a user input to the first window within a time period, as determined by waiting for a user input entered via the computing device to the first window, and being aware of one or more user inputs via the computing device to the second window during the time period, adjusting materials for presentation,wherein the adjusting, which is in accordance with instructions of the computer program, comprises switching to alternative materials that are different from materials that would have been presented if a user input was received via the computing device to the first window within the time period. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the materials provided have at least one level of difficulty, and wherein the time period is based on the at least one level of difficulty of the materials. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the time period depends on the materials provided, and wherein waiting for a user input waits for a user input entered via a keyboard or position-pointing device. 4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the switching comprises adjusting an audio effect. 5. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the switching comprises adjusting a visual effect. 6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the switching comprises providing to be presented a question that would not have been presented if a user input was received to the first window within the time period. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the waiting includes polling a device driver for a user input. 8. The computer implemented method of claim 7, wherein the device driver is a device driver of a position-pointing device. 9. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the switching comprises increasing a stimulation level of the materials to be presented. 10. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the switching includes providing to be presented again at least a portion of the materials already presented to the user. 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the materials provided to be presented have at least one level of difficulty,wherein the time period depends on the at least one level of difficulty of the materials, andwherein waiting for a user input waits for a physical input from a user to the computing device. 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the time period also depends on a reference response time of the user, andwherein the reference response time is determined based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via a computing device. 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising assessing the user's understanding in at least some of the materials previously presented to the user. 14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the switching comprises changing a pace of presentation of materials to be presented, andwherein the switching further comprises providing a question to be presented. 15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the switching comprises changing a pace of presentation of materials to be presented, andwherein the changing the pace of presentation of materials includes reducing the speed of presentation of materials to be presented. 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the switching comprises changing a pace of presentation of materials to be presented, andwherein the switching further comprises providing to be presented again at least a portion of materials already presented to the user. 17. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising providing options for the user to determine how to proceed in a learning process, upon failure to receive a user input to the first window within the time period. 18. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the question is both displayed on the display and orally presented. 19. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising providing praises if the answer to the question is correct. 20. The computer implemented method of claim 6, further comprising providing to be presented again at least a portion of materials already presented to the user to help the user learn if the answer to the question is not correct. 21. A computer-implemented method for assisting a user to learn a subject via a display coupled to a computing device, the method comprising: providing, in accordance with instructions of a computer program executed by at least one computer processor, materials on the subject to be presented to the user via a first window that is at least partially viewable via the display, where a second window is also at least partially viewable via the display; andwith no user input to the first window, as indicated by monitoring for a user input via the computing device to the first window, within a time period, but with one or more user inputs via the computing device to the second window during the time period, adjusting, in accordance with instructions of the computer program, materials for presentation on the subject,wherein the adjusting of the materials comprises changing a pace of presentation of materials to be presented. 22. The computer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein the materials provided to be presented have at least one level of difficulty, andwherein the time period depends on the at least one level of difficulty of the materials. 23. The computer-implemented method of claim 22, wherein the adjusting of the materials comprises presenting a question. 24. The computer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein the adjusting of the materials comprises providing options for the user to determine how to proceed in a learning process. 25. The computer-implemented method of claim 21 further comprising assessing the user's understanding in the subject. 26. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the materials provided to be presented have at least one level of difficulty, andwherein the time period depends on the at least one level of difficulty of the materials. 27. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the time period depends on a reference response time of the user, andwherein the reference response time is determined based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via a computing device. 28. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions of a computer program for controlling a computing device coupled to a display to assist a user to learn by a method comprising: providing materials to be presented to the user to learn via a first window that is at least partially viewable via the display, where a second window is also at least partially viewable via the display;waiting for a user input entered to the first window; andupon failure to receive a user input to the first window within a time period, as determined by waiting for a user input entered via the computing device to the first window, and being aware of one or more user inputs to the second window during the time period, adjusting materials for presentation,wherein the adjusting comprises switching to alternative materials that are different from materials that would have been presented if a user input was received to the first window within the time period. 29. A computer-implemented method to assist a user to learn a subject via a display coupled to a computing device comprising: providing materials on the subject to be presented, in accordance with instructions of a computer program executed by at least one computer processor, to the user via a first window that is at least partially viewable via the display, where a second window is also at least partially viewable via the display; andupon failure to receive a user input to the first window within a time period, as determined by waiting for a user input entered via the computing device to the first window, and being aware of one or more user inputs via the computing device to the second window during the time period, adjusting, in accordance with instructions of the computer program, materials for presentation on the subject,wherein the adjusting comprises providing a question to be presented. 30. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the user is provided with options to determine how to proceed in a learning process, upon failure to receive a user input to the first window within the time period. 31. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the materials provided to be presented have at least one level of difficulty, andwherein the time period depends on the at least one level of difficulty of the materials. 32. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the time period depends on the materials provided to be presented. 33. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the time period depends on the user. 34. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the time period depends on a reference response time of the user, andwherein the reference response time is determined based on a previous session where materials on a subject were presented to the user. 35. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the question is on the subject. 36. The computer implemented method of claim 29, wherein the question is not on the subject. 37. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the user's answer to the question is not used to assess the user's understanding in the subject. 38. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the user's answer to the question is used to assess the user's understanding in the subject. 39. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the question is orally presented. 40. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the adjusting further comprises adjusting an audio effect. 41. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the adjusting further comprises adjusting a visual effect. 42. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the at least one computer processor is the computing device. 43. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the at least one computer processor is coupled to the computing device via a network, which includes at least another computing device. 44. The computer-implemented method of claim 43, wherein the network includes the Internet. 45. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, further comprising providing materials related to the question to be presented, if the answer to the question is not correct. 46. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the materials provided to be presented have at least one difficulty level, andwherein the method further comprises providing materials with a difficulty level lower than the at least one difficulty level to be presented, if the answer to the question is not correct. 47. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein whether the answer to the question is correct or not does not affect the materials to be presented to the user. 48. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions of a computer program for controlling a computing device coupled to a display to assist a user to learn a subject by a method comprising: providing materials on the subject to be presented to the user via a first window that is at least partially viewable via the display, where a second window is also at least partially viewable via the display; andupon failure to receive a user input to the first window within a time period, as determined by waiting for a user input entered via the computing device to the first window, and being aware of one or more user inputs via the computing device to the second window during the time period, adjusting materials for presentation on the subject,wherein the adjusting comprises providing a question to be presented. 49. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises allowing the time period to be set in accordance with instructions of the computer program. 50. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 28, wherein the method further comprises allowing the time period to be set. 51. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 29, wherein the method further comprises allowing the time period to be set in accordance with instructions of the computer program. 52. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 48, wherein the method further comprises allowing the time period to be set. 53. A computing apparatus for assisting a user to learn via a display, which is coupled to the computing apparatus, the computing apparatus comprising: an input device configured to receive a user input to a first window or to space outside of the first window, wherein the first window is at least partially viewable via the display,wherein at least some of the space outside of the first window is viewable via the display, andwherein the space outside of the first window includes a second window that is at least partially viewable via the display; anda processor configured to cause materials to be presented to the user to learn via the first window,determine whether a user input is entered via the input device to the first window or to the space outside the first window, andupon failure to receive a user input to the first window within a time period, as determined by the processor, and being aware of one or more user inputs having been entered via the input device to the space outside of the first window during the time period, cause the materials for presentation to be adjusted,wherein the adjusting comprises switching to alternative materials that are different from materials that would have been presented if a user input was received via the input device to the first window within the time period. 54. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 53, wherein the switching comprises adjusting an audio effect. 55. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 53, wherein the switching comprises adjusting a visual effect. 56. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 53, wherein the switching comprises changing the size of an image of the materials that would have been presented. 57. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 53, wherein the input device comprises a keyboard or position-pointing device. 58. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 53, wherein the input device comprises a camera. 59. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 53, wherein the apparatus retrieves and uses an attribute of the user, andwherein the attribute is determined based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via the apparatus. 60. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 53, wherein the switching comprises causing to be provided, a request asking the user to perform a function. 61. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 53, wherein the switching comprises causing to be provided, a question asking the user to answer. 62. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the switching comprises adjusting an audio effect,wherein the apparatus retrieves and uses an attribute of the user, andwherein the attribute is determined based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via the apparatus. 63. A non-transitory computer readable medium including at least executable computer program code tangibly stored therein to assist a user to learn, said computer readable medium comprising: computer program code for receiving a user input to a first window or to space outside of the first window, wherein the first window is at least partially viewable via a display,wherein at least some of the space outside of the first window is viewable via the display, andwherein the space outside of the first window includes a second window that is at least partially viewable via the display;computer program code for causing materials to be presented to the user to learn via the first window;computer program code for determining whether a user input is entered to the first window or to the space outside the first window; andcomputer program code for causing the materials for presentation to be adjusted, upon failure to receive a user input to the first window within a time period, and being aware of one or more user inputs having been entered to the space outside of the first window during the time period,wherein the adjusting comprises switching to alternative materials that are different from materials that would have been presented if a user input was received to the first window within the time period. 64. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 63, wherein the switching comprises adjusting a visual effect. 65. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 63, wherein the switching comprises changing the size of an image of the materials that would have been presented. 66. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 63, wherein the switching comprises causing to be provided, a question asking the user to answer. 67. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 63, wherein the switching comprises causing to be provided, a request asking the user to perform a function. 68. A non-transitory computer readable medium including at least executable computer program code tangibly stored therein to assist a user to learn, said computer readable medium comprising: computer program code for receiving a user input to a first window, wherein the first window is at least partially viewable via a display,wherein at least some of the space outside of the first window is viewable via the display, andwherein the space outside of the first window includes a second window that is at least partially viewable via the display;computer program code for causing materials to be presented to the user to learn via the first window;computer program code for determining whether a subsequent user input is entered to the first window or to the space outside the first window; andcomputer program code for causing the materials for presentation to be adjusted, upon failure to receive a subsequent user input to the first window within a time period, and being aware of one or more subsequent user inputs having been entered to the space outside of the first window during the time period,wherein the adjusting comprises switching to alternative materials that are different from materials that would have been presented if a subsequent user input was received to the first window within the time period. 69. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 68, wherein the switching comprises adjusting an audio effect. 70. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 68, wherein the user input is received via a camera. 71. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 68, wherein the switching comprises causing to be provided, a question asking the user to answer. 72. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 71 further comprising computer program code for receiving an answer from the user to the question. 73. A computer-implemented method for assisting a user to learn materials via a display, the method comprising: determining, by a computer program, whether a first window receives a user input within a time period, wherein the first window is at least partially viewable via the display,wherein at least some of the space outside of the first window is viewable via the display, andwherein the space outside of the first window includes a second window that is at least partially viewable via the display; andupon failure to receive a user input to the first window within the time period in view of the determining, and being aware of one or more user inputs having been entered to the space outside of the first window during the time period, causing, by the computer program, to adjust materials for presentation to the user via the display, which includes switching to alternative materials that are different from materials that would have been presented if a user input was received to the first window within the time period. 74. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 73, wherein the switching comprises adjusting an audio effect. 75. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 73, wherein the switching comprises adjusting a visual effect. 76. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 73, wherein the switching comprises changing the size of an image of the materials that would have been presented. 77. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 73 further comprising receiving, via an input device, a user input to the first window or to the space outside of the first window. 78. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 77, wherein the input device comprises a camera. 79. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 73 further comprising retrieving and using an attribute of the user to set materials for presentation to the user, wherein the attribute is determined based on a previous session, where materials were presented to the user. 80. A computing apparatus for assisting a user to learn materials via a display, which is coupled to the computing apparatus, the computing apparatus comprising: a storage device; anda processor coupled to the storage device, the processor configured to determine, based on a computer program, whether a first window receives a user input within a time period, wherein the first window is at least partially viewable via the display,wherein at least some of the space outside of the first window is viewable via the display, andwherein the space outside of the first window includes a second window that is at least partially viewable via the display; andupon failure to receive a user input to the first window within the time period in view of the determination, and being aware of one or more user inputs having been entered to the space outside of the first window during the time period, cause, based on the computer program, to adjust materials for presentation to the user via the display, which includes switching to alternative materials that are different from materials that would have been presented if a user input was received to the first window within the time period. 81. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 80, wherein the switching comprises adjusting an audio effect. 82. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 80, wherein the switching comprises adjusting a visual effect. 83. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 80, wherein the switching comprises changing the size of an image of the materials that would have been presented. 84. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 80 further comprising an input device configured to receive a user input to the first window or to the space outside of the first window. 85. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 84, wherein the input device comprises a camera. 86. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 80, wherein the processor is further configured to retrieve and use an attribute of the user to set materials for presentation to the user, wherein the attribute is determined based on a previous session, where materials were presented to the user. 87. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions of a computer program to assist a user to learn materials via a display by a method comprising: determining whether a first window receives a user input within a time period, wherein the first window is at least partially viewable via the display,wherein at least some of the space outside of the first window is viewable via the display, andwherein the space outside of the first window includes a second window that is at least partially viewable via the display; andupon failure to receive a user input to the first window within the time period in view of the determining, and being aware of one or more user inputs having been entered to the space outside of the first window during the time period, causing to adjust materials for presentation to the user via the display, which includes switching to alternative materials that are different from materials that would have been presented if a user input was received to the first window within the time period. 88. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 87, wherein the switching comprises adjusting an audio effect. 89. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 87, wherein the switching comprises adjusting a visual effect. 90. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 87, wherein the switching comprises changing the size of an image of the materials that would have been presented. 91. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 87, wherein the method further comprises receiving, via an input device, a user input to the first window or to the space outside of the first window. 92. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 91, wherein the input device comprises a camera. 93. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 87, wherein the method further comprises retrieving and using an attribute of the user to set materials for presentation to the user, wherein the attribute is determined based on a previous session, where materials were presented to the user. 94. A computer-implemented method for assisting a user to learn materials via a display, the method comprising: providing materials to be presented via the display that includes a focus window, wherein at least some of the space outside of the focus window is viewable via the display, andwherein the space outside of the focus window includes one or more other windows, with at least one of those windows being at least partially viewable via the display;determining that the materials presented are in an area other than the focus window; andproviding, based on the determination, an indication relating to the user's focus in the materials. 95. The computer-implemented method of claim 94 further comprising switching to alternative materials to be provided for presentation in view of the determination. 96. The computer-implemented method of claim 95, wherein the switching to alternative materials comprises activating an audio effect. 97. The computer implemented method of claim 95, wherein the switching to alternative materials comprises changing a visual representation of materials to be presented. 98. The computer implemented method of claim 94 further comprising determining that the materials presented are in a window other than the focus window for a duration of time. 99. The computer implemented method of claim 94 further comprising providing at least an option for the user to decide how to proceed in [the] a learning process in view of the determination. 100. The computer implemented method of claim 94, wherein the providing an indication is performed by at least a computer processor, andwherein the computer processor is coupled to the display via a network, which includes at least another computing device. 101. A computing apparatus for assisting a user to learn materials via a display, which is coupled to the computing apparatus, the computing apparatus comprising: a storage device; anda computer processor, coupled to the storage device, configured to provide materials to be presented via the display that includes a focus window, wherein at least some of the space outside of the focus window is viewable via the display, andwherein the space outside of the focus window includes one or more other windows, with at least one of those windows being at least partially viewable via the display;determine that the materials presented are in an area other than the focus window; andprovide, based on the determination, an indication relating to the user's focus in the materials. 102. The computing apparatus of claim 101, wherein the computer processor is further configured to switch to alternative materials to be provided for presentation in view of the determination. 103. The computing apparatus of claim 102, wherein the switch to alternative materials comprises activating an audio effect. 104. The computing apparatus of claim 102, wherein the switch to alternative materials comprises changing a visual representation of materials to be presented. 105. The computing apparatus of claim 101, wherein the computer processor is further configured to determine that the materials presented are in a window other than the focus window for a duration of time. 106. The computing apparatus of claim 101, wherein the computer processor is further configured to provide at least an option for the user to decide how to proceed in a learning process in view of the determination. 107. The computing apparatus of claim 101, wherein the computing apparatus is coupled to the display via a network, which includes at least another computing device. 108. A non-transitory computer readable medium including at least executable computer program code tangibly stored therein to assist a user to learn materials via a display, said computer readable medium comprising: computer program code for providing materials to be presented via the display that includes a focus window, wherein at least some of the space outside of the focus window is viewable via the display, andwherein the space outside of the focus window includes one or more other windows, with at least one of those windows being at least partially viewable via the display;computer program code for determining that the materials presented are in an area other than the focus window; andcomputer program code for providing, based on the determination, an indication relating to the user's focus in the materials. 109. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 108 further comprising computer program code for switching to alternative materials to be provided for presentation in view of the determination. 110. The computer program code of claim 109, wherein the switch to alternative materials comprises activating an audio effect. 111. The computer program code of claim 109, wherein the switch to alternative materials comprises changing a visual representation of materials to be presented. 112. The computer program code of claim 108 further comprising computer program code for determining that the materials presented are in a window other than the focus window for a duration of time. 113. The computer program code of claim 108 further comprising computer program code for providing at least an option for the user to decide how to proceed in a learning process in view of the determination. 114. The computer program code of claim 108, wherein the computer program code for providing an indication is performed by at least a computer processor that is coupled to the display via a network, which includes at least another computing device. 115. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 53, wherein the apparatus is configured to use an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via the apparatus,wherein the switching comprises causing a question to be presented to the user,wherein the apparatus is configured to determine a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and compare a user input to the reference to determine a course of action, andwherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the input device is configured to capture information regarding the user more than once. 116. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 53, wherein the apparatus is configured to use an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via the apparatus,wherein the switching comprises causing options to be provided to the user to allow the user to determine how to proceed,wherein the apparatus is configured to determine a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and compare a user input to the reference to determine a course of action,wherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the input device is configured to capture information regarding the user more than once, andwherein the processor is in a computing device that is configured to be electrically coupled to the input device. 117. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the apparatus is configured to use an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via the apparatus,wherein the switching comprises causing options to be provided to the user to allow the user to determine how to proceed,wherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the camera is configured to capture more than one image, andwherein the processor is in a computing device that is configured to be electrically coupled to the camera. 118. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the switching comprises causing options to be provided to the user to allow the user to determine how to proceed,wherein the apparatus is configured to determine a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and compare a user input to the reference to determine a course of action, andwherein the processor is in a computing device that is configured to be tethered and electrically coupled to the camera. 119. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the apparatus is configured to use an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via the apparatus,wherein the switching comprises causing a request to be provided to the user asking the user to perform an action,wherein the apparatus is configured to determine a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and compare a user input to the reference to determine a course of action, andwherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the camera is configured to capture more than one image. 120. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the apparatus is configured to use an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via the apparatus,wherein the switching comprises causing options to be provided to the user to allow the user to determine how to proceed,wherein the apparatus is configured to determine a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and compare a user input to the reference to determine a course of action,wherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the camera is configured to capture more than one image, andwherein the processor is in a computing device that is configured to be tethered and electrically coupled to the camera. 121. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 84, wherein the apparatus is configured to use an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via the apparatus,wherein the switching comprises causing a question to be presented to the user,wherein the apparatus is configured to determine a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and compare a user input to the reference to determine a course of action, andwherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the input device is configured to capture information regarding the user more than once. 122. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 84, wherein the apparatus is configured to use an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via the apparatus,wherein the switching comprises causing options to be provided to the user to allow the user to determine how to proceed,wherein the apparatus is configured to determine a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and compare a user input to the reference to determine a course of action,wherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the input device is configured to capture information regarding the user more than once, andwherein the processor is in a computing device that is configured to be electrically coupled to the input device. 123. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 85, wherein the apparatus is configured to use an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via the apparatus,wherein the switching comprises causing options to be provided to the user to allow the user to determine how to proceed,wherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the camera is configured to capture more than one image, andwherein the processor is in a computing device that is configured to be electrically coupled to the camera. 124. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 85, wherein the switching comprises causing options to be provided to the user to allow the user to determine how to proceed,wherein the apparatus is configured to determine a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and compare a user input to the reference to determine a course of action, andwherein the processor is in a computing device that is configured to be tethered and electrically coupled to the camera. 125. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 85, wherein the apparatus is configured to use an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via the apparatus,wherein the switching comprises causing a request to be provided to the user asking the user to perform an action,wherein the apparatus is configured to determine a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and compare a user input to the reference to determine a course of action, andwherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the camera is configured to capture more than one image. 126. A computing apparatus as recited in claim 85, wherein the apparatus is configured to use an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user via the apparatus,wherein the switching comprises causing options to be provided to the user to allow the user to determine how to proceed,wherein the apparatus is configured to determine a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and compare a user input to the reference to determine a course of action,wherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the camera is configured to capture more than one image, andwherein the processor is in a computing device that is configured to be tethered and electrically coupled to the camera. 127. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 91, wherein the method further comprises using an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user,wherein the switching comprises causing a question to be presented to the user,wherein the method further comprises determining a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and comparing a user input to the reference to determine a course of action, andwherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the method further comprises capturing information regarding the user by the input device more than once. 128. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 91, wherein the method further comprises using an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user,wherein the switching comprises causing options to be provided to the user to allow the user to determine how to proceed,wherein the method further comprises determining a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and comparing a user input to the reference to determine a course of action, andwherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the method further comprises capturing information regarding the user by the input device more than once. 129. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 92, wherein the method further comprises using an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user,wherein the switching comprises causing options to be provided to the user to allow the user to determine how to proceed, andwherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the method further comprises capturing more than one image by the camera. 130. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 92, wherein the switching comprises causing options to be provided to the user to allow the user to determine how to proceed, andwherein the method further comprises determining a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and comparing a user input to the reference to determine a course of action. 131. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 92, wherein the method further comprises using an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user,wherein the switching comprises causing a request to be provided to the user asking the user to perform an action,wherein the method further comprises determining a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and comparing a user input to the reference to determine a course of action, andwherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the method further comprises capturing more than one image by the camera. 132. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 92, wherein the method further comprises using an attribute of the user, with the attribute being based on a previous session where materials were presented to the user,wherein the switching comprises causing options to be provided to the user to allow the user to determine how to proceed,wherein the method further comprises determining a reference of the user based on a volitional behavior of the user, and comparing a user input to the reference to determine a course of action, andwherein to determine if an area has received a user input, the method further comprises capturing more than one image by the camera.