PUB TYPE Information Analyses (070) Speeches/Conference

Over the past 3 years, a variety of studies in intelligent tutoring system (ITS) effectiveness have been conducted. A summary is provided of the research into the use of POSIT, MALM, and the Mobile Subscriber Remote-Telephone Terminal (MSRT) Tutor. POSIT is an ITS for the tutoring of whole-number subtraction. It assumes that the learning of a cognitive skill builds from declarative knowledge. MALM, which makes use of some of the latest computer-based instructional technologies, was designed so that problem solving in an Army communications network can be explored in a computer environment. The MSRT Tutor teaches operating procedures for one of the Army's mobile telephones. Studies conducted with each of these ITS systems suggest that an ITS has the potential for being effective for instruction, especially with procedural knowledge. An ITS may be used as a change device to change the role of the classroom teacher from one that is largely disciplinary to one that is more facilitative. Help and error feedback seem to be the most useful features of an ITS. The use of off-the-shelf development packages is a great boost to the use of ITSs, since hours of design and development can be cut short. (SLD) ****************************************h****************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the (,riginal document