Wk 3 Comment: Joe Huber's Activity

When teachers are asked if they think that computers and LMS in the classroom will eventually replace them, it becomes a topic of debate.  The weekly discussion posting on FSO for the month 10 LMO class yields results demonstrating that the majority of the participants believe that a teacher in the classroom will not be replaced.

One innovation that dares to challenge the notion that the teacher can’t be replaced is the Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS).  ITSs seek to mimic human tutors by generating instructions in both real time and on demand depending on student needs (Intelligent tutoring, 2008). These ITSs function around 3 set categories: student, subject matter, and pedagogical.  The ITS also provides feedback and lesson materials as a human teacher would.  ITSs generate appropriate material and given hints during and feedback after lessons.   These ITSs also have the capability to understand why students make mistakes and, as such, adjust delivery to compensate for the individual student’s style.  In some instances, ITSs can also adapt to a learner’s emotional states and change language delivery methods to better suit the learner’s vocabulary.

One of the more practical uses of an ITS is in the area of training using simulation.   The ITS facilitates learning in this environment to a higher degree because it does not interfere with what students are doing by inputting their own personal experiences as a human instructor would.  Yet another advantage of the ITS is that it serves as an instructor for the convenience of the student rather than that of the human instructor and their agreed upon office hours. 

Testing of the educational aspects of ITS is currently being conducted by the military in their use of massive multi-player online gaming (MMOG) as a training tool (Bonk & Dennen, 2005).  The use of MMOG provides the social engagement factor that some may feel the ITS lacks.  Players and inhabitants within the MMOG form diverse social groups based on shared needs (Nardi, 2010). Many individuals within the MMOG will also contribute to the greater community be reporting bugs, and in essence, take control of their own learning.   MMOGs provide a self-directed atmosphere that encourages both cognitive and metacognitive skills, as well as offer “a unique motivational atmosphere rich in fun, feedback, incentives, novelty, and challenges” (Bonk & Dennen, p.10).

References:

Bonk, C.J., & Dennen, V.P. (2005). Massive multi-player online gaming: A research framework for military training and education. Retrieved July 20, 2010 fromhttp://www.adlnet.gov/SiteCollectionDocuments/archive/GameReport_Bonk_final.pdf

Intelligent tutoring. (2008). Retrieved July 20, 2010 from Advanced Distributed Learning: The Power of Global Collaboration: http://web.archive.org/ web/ 20080214072132/ www.adlnet.gov/ technologies/ tutoring/ index.aspx.

Nardi, B. (2010). My life as a Night Elf priest: An anthropological account of World of Warcraft. Ann Arbor MI: University of Michigan Press. 

ABBIE TOY

@Joe - 

After our class discussion on FSO, I felt pretty confident in saying that an LMS will not replace a teacher in the classroom.  After reading your post about the ITS - I'm not so sure. It is amazing to me that this Intelligent Tutoring System can give instructions, hints, compensate for a student's learning style, and even change language delivery methods based on the learner's emotional state! It sounds extremely useful and I can't wait to see where this goes in the future! Thanks, Joe!

TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2010 - 02:07 PM