Modeling of Adaptive Tutoring Processes

Abstract

In this chapter, a formal, adaptive tutoring process model for case-based Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs) is described. Combining methods of Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science led to the development of ITSs more than 30 years ago. In contrast to the common agreement about the ITSs’ architecture, components of ITSs are rarely reusable. Reusability in ITSs is intimately connected with the application domain, that is, with the contents that should be learned and with the teaching and learning strategy. An example of a learning strategy is case-based learning, where the adaptation of the learning material to the learner plays a major role. Adaptation should take place automatically at runtime, and thus should be part of the ITS’s functionality. To support the development of ITSs with reusable components and the communication about and the evaluation of similar ITSs, a formal approach has been chosen. This approach is called the tutoring process model.