A Dialog-Based Intelligent Tutoring System for Practicing Battle Command Reasoning

Abstract : This Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) developed a dialog-based intelligent tutoring system (ITS) for interactive self-training of battle command reasoning. The system, called "Automated Tutoring Environment for Command" (ATEC), adapted the dialog management capability from AutoTutor (a dialog-based tutor developed by Graesser and colleagues at the University of Memphis) and integrated it with a cognitive model-based instructional agent (using all Systems' iGEN cognitive agent framework). The ATEC system presents a battlefield situation and then initiates a dialog between a virtual mentor (instructional agent) and a student as they collaboratively discuss the situation. The virtual mentor poses questions, evaluates student responses, determines the sequence of questions, and ultimately assesses performance on the basis of the specificity of questioning and the depth of probing and hinting that is needed to adequately answer the questions. The results of the ATEC development effort showed some of the capabilities and limitations of tutorial dialog systems, and indicated areas for additional research and development.