Effective Tutoring Techniques: A Comparison of Human Tutors and Intelligent Tutoring Systems

There has been much debate about instructional strategies for computerized learning environments. Many of the arguments designed to choose between the various philosophies have appealed, at least implicitly, to the behavior of effective human teachers. In this article, we compare the guidance and support offered by human tutors with that offered by intelligent tutoring systems. First, we review research on human tutoring strategies in various domains. Then we investigate the capabilities of a widely used technique for providing feedback, model tracing. Finally, we contrast the types of guidance and support provided by human tutors with those in intelligent tutoring systems, by examining the process of recovering from impasses encountered during problem solving. In general, the support offered by human tutors is more flexible and more subtle than that offered by model tracing tutors, but the two are more similar than sometimes argued.     

教学中的信息本质与智能教学系统元信息结构研究

为简化智能教学系统设计,增强可维护性,提出了一种信息元结构。通过分析教学过程中的认识论信息内涵,得出授课单元的三元信息结构:内容、条件和效用。建立了基于该结构的智能教学系统创作工具的工作模型,证实了它能够支持高效清晰的智能教学系统创作。     

人工智能技术的远程教育应用探索——“希赛可”智能型网上英语学习系统

本文首先指出现有计算机辅助语言学习软件和系统的优点和不足,以及我国英语教学对于网上智能型人机对话系统的实际需求。然后介绍了我们研制的网上智能型英语学习系统—希赛可:依次包括它的理论基础,系统构架,在英语教学上的独特创新功能,以及需要完善和改进的地方。     

The design and development of the dragoon intelligent tutoring system for model construction: lessons learned

This paper describes Dragoon, a simple intelligent tutoring system which teaches the construction of models of dynamic systems. Modelling is one of seven practices dictated in two new sets of educational standards in the U.S.A., and Dragoon is one of the first systems for teaching model construction for dynamic systems. Dragoon can be classified as a step-based tutoring system that uses example-tracing, an explicit pedagogical policy and an open learner model. Dragoon can also be used for computer-supported collaborative learning, and provides tools for classroom orchestration. This paper describes the features, user interfaces, and architecture of Dragoon; compares and contrasts Dragoon with other intelligent tutoring systems; and presents a brief overview of formative and summative evaluations of Dragoon in both high school and college classes. Of four summative evaluations, three found that students who used Dragoon learned more about the target system than students who did equivalent work without Dragoon.     

The effectiveness of intelligent tutoring systems on K-12 students' reading comprehension: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of improving reading comprehension for students in K-12 classrooms using intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs), a computer-based learning environment that provides customizable and immediate feedback to the learner. Nineteen studies from 13 publications incorporating approximately 10 000 students were included in the final analysis; using robust variance estimation to account for statistical dependencies, the 19 studies yielded 88 effect size estimates. The meta-analysis indicated that the overall random effect size of ITSs on reading comprehension was 0.60 (using a mix of standardized and researcher-designed measures) with a 95% confidence interval 0.36 to 0.85 (p < 0.001). This review confirms previous studies comparing ITSs to human tutoring: ITSs produced a small effect size when compared to human tutoring (0.20, 0.02–0.38, p = 0.036, n = 21). All comparisons to human tutoring used standardized measures. This review also found that ITSs produced a larger effect size on reading comprehension when compared to traditional instruction (0.86) for mixed measures and (0.26) for standardized measures. These findings may be of interest to practitioners and policy makers seeking to improve reading comprehension using consistent and accessible ITSs. Recommendations for researchers include conducting studies to understand the difference between traditional and updated versions of ITSs and employing valid and reliable standardized tests and researcher-designed measures.     

Some principles of intelligent tutoring

Research on intelligent tutoring systems is discussed from the point of view of providing moment-by-moment adaptation of both content and form of instruction to the changing cognitive needs of the individual learner. The implications of this goal for cognitive diagnosis, subject matter analysis, teaching tactics, and teaching strategies are analyzed. The results of the analyses are stated in the form of principles about intelligent tutoring. A major conclusion is that a computer tutor, in order to provide adaptive instruction, must have a strategy which translates its tutorial goals into teaching actions, and that, as a consequence, research on teaching strategies is central to the construction of intelligent tutoring systems.     

智能教学系统支持英语学习的案例研究

在阐述智能教学系统及其组成架构的基础上,结合PIMS移动智能教学系统支持英语学习的个案,介绍了PIMS系统框架及其在教学中的应用,认为案例具有重视学生初始学习能力的评估、动态生成适应性学习内容、动态调整学习策略、关注智能教学系统的教学应用及其效果等优点,同时提出PIMS智能教学系统进一步研究的建议。     

Multi-Agent Architecture for Intelligent Tutoring Systems

This paper shows a multi-agent architecture based on reactive agents for an intelligent tutoring system (ITS). The global system behavior is modeled taking into account the mental models and the cognitive task analysis. We present the basic characteristics of the reactive system in terms of reactive robotics, where they started. Next we introduce some definitions and schemes in order to characterize the multi-agent architecture. Finally, we present an ITS example called Makatsiná Makatsiná means tutor in TOTONACA, a Mexican pre-Spanish language. which teaches the skills necessary to solve a truss analysis problem by the joint method. This domain is an integration skill.     

智能教学系统中支持协作学习的群体感知模型

自主学习和协作学习是相互促进、相互依赖的网络学习方式。然而,目前典型的网络学习系统(智能教学系统和计算机支持的协作学习系统)大多将自主学习和协作学习强制分离,忽视了自主学习过程中协作交流的激励作用以及协作学习过程中学习者的自主学习需求。因此,扩展现有的智能教学系统,构建一个自主学习和协作学习有机融合的数字化学习环境,有助于更好地满足网络环境下师生的学习需求。支持协作学习的群体感知模型由群体感知信息、群体感知本体和群体感知规则三部分组成,采用本体技术建模协作感知信息,运用语义Web规则语言刻画协作感知机制,为实现协作学习的信息交互提供通用模型。基于该模型构建的智能教学系统,在原有ITS自主学习环境的基础上,扩展了参与者可以相互感知、相互交流的协作学习模块,实现与现有智能教学系统的无缝整合,为开发具有协作学习功能的智能教学系统提供了技术参考。     

试析知识管理技术在智能教学系统中的应用

智能教学系统是开放式的人机交互系统.这个系统在结构与过程上都与知识管理系统有着诸多相似之处,本文在综合分析知识管理及其技术的基础上,从广义与狭义两个维度探讨了知识管理技术在智能教学系统设计中的研究与应用.     

Tutoring styles that encourage learner satisfaction,academic engagement,and achievement in an online environment

This study was aimed to find which tutoring styles significantly predict learners’ satisfaction with an e-learning service, academic involvement, and academic achievement. The tutoring styles included subject expert, facilitator, guider, and administrator. In this study, 818 Korean sixth-grade students (ages 11–12 years), enrolled in the e-study program, and completed tutoring style and academic satisfaction evaluation surveys. Students’ login and posting frequency in the e-study program were measured to assess their academic involvement. Academic achievement was computed using completion rates and assessment scores. Multiple regression analyses indicated that there is some association between tutoring styles and academic outcomes. Of the four tutoring styles, facilitating tutoring styles particularly showed strong associations with the three outcome variables. Tutors’ guiding activities as opposed to facilitating were not significant contributors to students’ academic outcomes. The effect of tutors’ facilitating styles in an online learning environment was significant as being found in the existent literature.     

Effects of Fact Retrieval Tutoring on Third‐Grade Students with Math Difficulties with and without Reading Difficulties

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of fact retrieval tutoring as a function of math difficulty (MD) subtype, that is, whether students have MD alone (MD‐only) or have concurrent difficulty with math and reading (MDRD). Third graders (n= 139) at two sites were randomly assigned, blocking by site and MD subtype, to four tutoring conditions: fact retrieval practice, conceptual fact retrieval instruction with practice, procedural computation/estimation instruction, and control (no tutoring). Tutoring occurred for 45 sessions over 15 weeks for 15–25 minutes per session. Results provided evidence of an interaction between tutoring condition and MD subtype status for assessment of fact retrieval. For MD‐only students, students in both fact retrieval conditions achieved comparably and outperformed MD‐only students in the control group as well as those in the procedural computation/estimation instruction group. By contrast, for MDRD students, there were no significant differences among intervention conditions.     

基于Web的智能网络教学框架模型的设计与实现

基于Web的智能网络教学系统综合了传统智能教学系统的优势,同时又结合了Web的特点,是智能教学的发展方向。该文首先分析网络教学的特点及目前的网络系统的弊端,在此基础上提出一个面向网络教学、实现双主体互动教学模式的新型智能化框架模型,提出面向重用网络教学应用模式概念,并论述若干相关技术及进一步的研究方向。     

CELTS标准在网络智能授导系统中的应用

网上学习强调用最佳手段实现学生的个性化和自主性,该文在研究实现个性化学习的网络智能授导系统框架的基础上,探讨了网络教育技术标准于其中的应用。目的是使授导依据数据的收集更完备和易于交换,并使得授导的过程更具实用性和通用性,充分发挥它在网络远程教学过程中的强大作用。     

An Investigation into Target Setting and Academic Tutoring to Promote Student Learning

There has been a move in schools towards the use of pupil performance data to set targets. It is believed that effective target setting can motivate pupils and staff to strive to reach, or beat, target grades. Alongside this has been a move to promote more effective dialogue about learning between teachers and pupils through the use of academic tutoring. There is a belief that in combination a system of target setting and academic tutoring might lead to more effective learning, increased achievement and therefore school improvement. This investigation into one system of target setting and academic tutoring suggests that although these systems may promote increased achievement in terms of examination performance, they do not necessarily help students to learn more effectively. For this schools must attempt to develop in ways that make learning an explicit subject of discussion, and help students learn about learning. Therefore, it is on the development of student meta–learning that such school improvement efforts should focus.     

远程教育在线教学辅导模式设计研究

本文通过对国内远程教育在线教学辅导实施过程的回顾,对在线教学辅导的优劣势、教师角色定位等内容进行了分析,提出构建远程教育在线教学辅导模式等设计思路,重点分析了＂兴趣激发＂、＂时间优化＂两个控制因子的作用机理。开创性地提出了构建在线教学辅导模式的研究思路,从整体高度提升远程教育在线教学辅导能力与交互效率,为学生支持服务质量的全面提升提供了保障。     

Transactive Peer Tutoring: Distributing Cognition and Metacognition

ASK to THINK—TEL WHY®© is an inquiry-based model of mutual peer tutoring in which tutoring partners mediate each others' learning in a transactive manner. This tutorial model is designed as a person-plus cognitive partnership that supports the distribution of cognition and metacognition in order to promote complex, higher-level learning. This article focuses on what is being distributed during ASK to THINK—TEL WHY®© (i.e., the cognitive tasks of questioning, explaining, thinking, problem solving, as well as monitoring and regulation of learning) and how these cognitions are distributed across the tutoring pair and various aspects of their learning environment. Results of research on the effectiveness of using this model in classroom contexts has shown that the model promotes students' construction of new knowledge.     

Effects of Tutor‐Tutee Intimacy,Tutoring Conditions and Tutor Background on College Student Tutor Satisfaction

Path analysis was used to examine the effects of tutor‐tutee intimacy, tutoring conditions and background variables on overall tutor satisfaction, as well on specific satisfaction from achievements, rewards, and relationships. University student tutors (n = 472), who worked with younger children under the auspices of the PERACH Project in Israel, participated in the study. Results revealed higher satisfaction among tutors who reported greater intimacy with tutees and who were able to hold tutorial sessions without difficulty. More intimate tutoring relations were found when pairs were matched by ethnicity, when telephone contact with the tutee was easy, when sessions were easily held, and for female same‐sex pairs.     

电工学智能教学专家系统的研究与开发

采用知识工程语言CLIPS研究、开发的电工学智能教学专家系统是基于互联网的新型专家系统。该系统包括学生模型、教师模型、教学模块、诊断模块、测试模块和知识库建设、方法库、试题库、策略库等部分,以最适合学生特点的方式组织教案和教学手段,诊断、纠正学习过程中出现的错误,实现个性化的电工学课程教学。     

Peer and Cross-Age Tutoring in Math:Outcomes and Their Design Implications

This review of the literature on peer and cross-age tutoring emphasizes programs in mathematics and suggests that such programs have positive academic outcomes for African American and otherminority students as well as for White students who participate as tutors, as tutees, or both. Such programs also appear to have a positive impact on a variety of attitudinal and socioemotional outcomes, such as students' attitudes towards school, their self-concepts, and their sense of academic efficacy. This review also explores whether specific features of the tutoring programs (e.g., tutor training and amount of tutoring) or characteristics of the students (e.g., academic level prior to tutoring and gender composition of tutor-tutee pairs) affect various outcomes. Role theory is used as a theoretical framework to explain some intriguing and surprising findings (e.g., why tutors show academic gains even when they do not receive additional subject matter instruction, whylonger and/or more substantial tutoring programs may not foster greater immediate academic gains than shorter programs, and why mixed-sex pairs do not consistently reap benefits equal to those of same-sex pairs). Finally, implications of the review for the development of peer and cross-age tutoring programs are discussed.