An Intelligent Tutoring System is computer software designed to simulate a human tutor’s behavior and guidance. Because these systems are able to interpret complex student responses and can learn as they operate, they are able to discern where and why a student’s understanding has gone astray and to offer hints to help the student understand the material at hand. Intelligent tutors provide many of the benefits of a human tutor to very large numbers of students. Intelligent tutoring systems can also provide real-time data to instructors and developers looking to refine teaching methods.
Opportunity Statement
Is an ITS the first salvo of the campaign toward software teachers in the classroom, or is it the ultimate teacher’s aide?
Prediction Source(s)
Educause – Intelligent Tutoring Systems
Janice Gobert gave a presentation at UBC in early 2012 on her work with science assistments (Assessing and Scaffolding Student Inquiry Skills in real Time) http://www.pp.rub.de/earlisig20/sites/default/files/Gobert_SIG20.pdf.
It is very interesting how seemingly mundane data can be applied to developing software to try and help students learn.