4th International Conference, ITS’ 98 San Antonio, Texas, USA, August 16–19, 1998 Proceedings
Peter Wiemer-Hastings,
Arthur C. Graesser,
Derek Harter,
Tutoring Research Group
The Tutoring Research Group at the University of Memphis is developing an intelligent tutoring system which takes advantages of recent technological advances in the areas of semantic processing of natural language, world knowledge representation, multimedia interfaces, and fuzzy descriptions. The tutoring interaction is based on in-depth studies of human tutors, both skilled and unskilled. Latent...
TRANSoM is a collaborative effort among university and industry researchers aimed at producing an intelligent tutoring system for training pilots of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). ROVs are unmanned, tethered, underwater vehicles used in a range of applications such as inspection, search and salvage, and mine countermeasures. Pilots have to learn to maneuver the ROV, keeping track of its tether...
A previously reported study indicated that, when used by an instructor as a tool to assist with tutoring in a class laboratory setting, use of the Transfusion Medicine Tutor (TMT) resulted in improvements in antibody identification performance of 87–93% (p<.001). Based on input from teachers requesting that TMT be designed for use without the presence of an instructor, a new study on the use of...
The PACT Geometry tutor has been designed, with guidance from mathematics educators, to be an integrated part of a complete, new-standards-oriented course for highschool geometry. We conducted a formative evaluation of the third “geometric properties” lesson and saw significant student learning gains. We also found that students were better able to provide numerical answers to problems than to articulate...
This paper reports a formative analysis of a principal interface tool in the PACT Algebra II Tutor (PAT2). PAT2 employs modern computational tools to support student reasoning about real-world problem situations. This paper examines a curriculum section on general linear form equations and evaluates the effectiveness of a worksheet tool in reifying the hierarchical structure of the problem situations...
In this paper we describe the application of machine learning to the problem of constructing a student model for an intelligent tutoring system. The proposed system learns on a per student basis how long an individual student requires to solve the problem presented by the tutor. This model of relative problem difficulty is learned within a “two-phase” learning algorithm. First, data from the entire...
A simulation based training application is described that uses a dedicated machine expert for generating explanations. The expert considers the problems the user is having with specific tasks, and by examining a normative model of problem solving, it determines an appropriate response, which involves generating many kinds of knowledge from a space of domain models. By using multiple domain models,...
Some accidents in complex systems have been attributed to a lack of situation awareness. Despite increased use of automation and improvements in display design, accidents of these types have not been eliminated. One option is to train operators to acquire and to maintain situation awareness. This paper describes an instructional design, human-computer interface, and the computational architecture...
One solution to providing affordable operator training in the workplace is to augment applications with intelligent embedded training systems. Intelligent embedded training is highly interactive: trainees practice problem-solving tasks on the prime application with guidance and feedback from the training system. We group the necessary assistance mechanisms into three layers: (1) an application interface...
Within a given domain, a significant number of Interactive Learning Environments (ILEs) have been developed during the last decade, but they can not interoperate because of incompatible hardware, operating systems or knowledge representations. Our research aims at defining principles and models for interoperation between ILEs. In this paper we focus on the knowledge level. Our goal is to present a...
We show that the Task/Method paradigm is adapted for modeling the problem-solving method that the teacher wants to communicate to the student as well as the pedagogical strategies that have to be put into practice for managing the interaction with the student.
An approach to student modelling is presented where learners build their own student models. A more accurate model may thereby be obtained, and learners may reflect on their beliefs while constructing their model. The diyM system is illustrated in four environments: two collaborative student modelling systems, and two learner modelling systems with peer interaction as their focus.
Placing students in a group and assigning them a task does not guarantee that the students will engage in effective collaborative learning behavior. The collaborative learning model described in this paper identifies the specific characteristics exhibited by effective collaborative learning teams, and based on these characteristics, suggests strategies for promoting effective peer interaction. The...
This paper describes a method for learner modelling for use within simulation-based learning environments. The goal of the learner modelling system is to provide the learner with advice on discovery learning. The system analyzes the evidence that a learner has generated for a specific hypothesis, assesses whether the learner needs support on the discovery process, and the nature of that support. The...
In the past, Knowledge Acquisition represented a barrier for developing intelligent systems, and particularly intelligent tutoring systems. In a recent work we proposed a model (Monaco-T ) for structuring and representing cooperative tasks. These tasks can be used directly in a cooperative learning environment, or in a simulation environment able to show how the cooperative task is effectively realized...
Many organisations have recognised that the construction, communication and sharing of their corporate knowledge and know how is key to improving business effectiveness. This has lead to the design of a number of corporate memories. Such systems have so far failed to demonstrate how they can contribute to the effectiveness or learning of the organisation. This paper investigates the requirements of...
Universities, experiencing growths in student enrollment and reductions in operating budgets, are faced with the problem of providing adequate help resources for students. Help resources are needed at an institution-wide and also at a course-specific level, due to the limited time of instructors to provide help and answer questions. The Intelligent IntraNet Peer Help Desk provides an integration and...
The concept of software components has received relatively little attention so far by the researchers in the field of AIED. This paper is an attempt to bring more light on this important concept and to describe the benefits that component-based ITSs can bring to the field. Surprisingly enough, there is still no consensus on the notion of component among AIED researchers. There are many open questions...
The paper describes design of the FLUTE system, an intelligent tutoring system in the domain of formal languages and automata. The basic idea of the FLUTE system is a systematic introduction of students into the system’s domain, in accordance with both the logical structure of the domain and individual background knowledge and learning capabilities of each student. Other intelligent tutoring systems...
This paper discusses the refinement of the algebraic expression-writing rules for the PAT Algebra I tutor, between 1992 and 1997. Direct observation of students in class, step-by-step PAT tutor protocols tracing student behavior, and statistical analysis of protocol data, have all informed our understanding of students’ skills, and our refinement of this part of PAT’s production model.