Learning companion systems

This thesis describes a new class of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) which I call the Learning Companion Systems (LCS). In the learning environment of such a system, there are three agents involved, namely, the human student, the computer learning companion, and the computer teacher. As implied by its name, the role of the computer learning companion is to act as a learning companion for the student. To this end, the companion performs the learning task at about the same level as the student, and both the student and the companion exchange ideas while being presented the same material by the teacher. In designing the prototype of LCS, Integration-Kid, in the domain of integration, I define some protocols of learning activities among the three agents. These protocols reflect the different learning stages of the learners in the learning process as well as appropriately restrict their possible unbounded interactions. Curriculum Tree, an architecture based on the domain structure is designed as the implementation framework of Integration-Kid. Production systems are used to simulate different agents' interactions via a common blackboard. The basis of the problem solver for both the companion and the teacher is a term rewriting system. Finally, the disadvantages of my design of the prototype and LCS in general, and the future directions of LCS related research are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Computer Science

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Chan, Tak-Wai

Contributors dc:contributor

• Baskin, Arthur B., III

• Mathematics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Science
• Education, Mathematics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1989 Chan, Tak-Wai

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9010819
(UMI)AAI9010819

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/19674