A user-centred approach to the design of an expert system for training

This paper reports the objectives, design approach and first results of a research project that aims to develop an intelligent computer-based learning environment for industrial applications. Jonas , an expert system, is part of a modelling/simulation environment which enables shopfloor workers to test and to put new philosophies of work into practice in the context of manufacture. Our approach is focused on three main ideas: the Intelligence Augmentation paradigm, user-centred system design and the constructionist theory of learning. The architecture of the modelling environment and the main features of Jonas are presented as an illustration of the design ideas discussed in the paper.