Embedding Intelligent Tutoring Systems in MOOCs and e-Learning Platforms

Intelligent tutoring systems ITS and MOOCs tend to have complementary pedagogical approaches, but their combination is rarely if ever seen. A key obstacle may be technical integration. We present a generalizable case study of extending ITS authoring technology to make tutors easily embeddable into a variety of MOOC/e-learning platforms and run on a range of web-enabled devices. We enhanced the domain-independent Cognitive Tutor Authoring Tools CTAT to enable integration of CTAT tutors into multiple environments. A salient lesson learned is that use of widely-used web-based technologies HTML and JavaScript may be a major factor in ITS uptake. Also, we found that embedding tutors into existing LMS is challenging, but environment-specific changes can be isolated in a generalizable manner.