Patent US 5,980,263

A teaching apparatus comprises a three-dimensional geometrical object having a surface divided into a plurality of segments, each of which includes a question relating to a particular field of liberal arts study. In a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the three-dimensional geometrical object is a sphere, and the plurality of segments are defined by visible lines provided on the sphere's surface. In embodiments of the teaching apparatus of the instant invention, the particular fields of liberal arts study include the fields of music, literature, and art. For each of these embodiments, the particular questions are applicable to approximately any song and artist, story and author, and piece and artist. At least one of the questions used is designed to elicit emotional responses from a user. Alternatively, at least one of the questions is designed to elicit individualized responses from a user. Furthermore, a preferred embodiment of the instant invention includes at least one of the questions which is designed to elicit creative responses from a user.