WEST is a tutoring system that monitors a student while playing a game designed to encourage the use of basic arithmetic skills. When presented with three randomly generated numbers, the student generates and evaluates an arithmetic expression the result of which is a translated into a number of moves on the board. The goal of the game is to reach the end of the board before a computerised opponent who plays by the same rules. The board features short cuts and a bonus for landing on a square already occupied by the opponent.
WEST employs a differential student model so that game features not yet introduced are not recorded as differences in the student (Holt et al 1991). An issue tracing mechanism is employed to measure which of the game features already introduced are being employed by the student. From a particular board position the system determines all possible moves based on the three numbers presented to the student. The optimal solution is compared to that entered by the student. Based on this comparison a coaching mechanism determines when it is appropriate to interrupt the student with advice.
Authored by Serengul Smith
E-mail to:
serengul1@mdx.ac.uk
School of Computing Science Middlesex University
Revised: September 1998