Abstract:

The article presents a method to create pedagogical strategies which are used to build Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) immersed in e-learning content repositories. This solution is designed for a new class of ITS systems which work on multi-topic e-learning content repositories dynamically supplied by many authors. In such systems it is essential to separate pedagogical strategy, or method of conducting teaching, from content that is to be delivered to learners. Thus, by personalizing learning in response to identified needs of learners it is possible to supply them with the most adequate content from among those available in the repository at a given moment. The article presents a solution in which pedagogical strategies are created based on so-called pedagogical patterns which act as templates that are to be used in various educational contexts. Such an approach is designed to conduct learning by means of didactic content (e-learning course), which was given a definite structure by the author, and to which ITS will incorporate new content components that meet the pre-set criteria (subject, level of difficulty, level of interactivity) retrieved from the repository. Sample pedagogical patterns that may be used in the process of personalizing learning include incorporating content retrieved from the repository into a learning pathway realized by the student so that any identified deficiencies may be overcome (Similar Content Strategy Pattern), or supplementing the learning pathway with content from the repository that complements the topics under discussion with a case study illustrating the given topic (Case Study Inclusion Strategy Pattern). Such patterns are of general character and may be used in learning with a variety of e-learning courses. From a technical standpoint the solution is based on SN (Sequencing and Navigation) mechanisms of the SCORM 2004 specification, extended with so-called trigger points that enable activation of the ITS module (ITS Agent), responsible for searching the repository for content that meets preset criteria as well as for selecting the content that best satisfies learner’s needs (recommendation). In this approach pedagogical patterns are built as ready-made templates coded in SN language. Such templates can be used to build an e-learning course that will make it possible to realize a pre-defined educational strategy (single or multiple). It is also possible to automatically include such patterns in an e-learning course by ITS in the process of personalizing with regard to learner’s progress. This solution was verified during construction of the system Edumatic ITS, and then tested on an e-learning repository in the area of protection and management of archaeological heritage which contained env. 4500 SCO’s organized in env. 1000 didactically useful components that can be delivered during personalization.

Keywords:

Intelligent Tutoring systems, e-learning content repositories, implementing pedagogical strategies.