Adaptive Simple Sequencing Instruction Support Toolkit (ASSIST)

ASSIST (Adaptive Simple Sequencing Instruction Support Toolkit) is envisioned as a tool that will support instructional developers in creating adaptive and interactive SCORM conformant instruction. In Phase I, we developed an approach which focused on the concept of instructional activities: we began to develop an interface by which instructional developers could construct, revise, and reuse instructional activities that combine of instructional constructs (which reflect pedagogical approaches) and content, enabling modularity of instruction. The ASSIST architecture separates the interface that specifies instruction from the construction of executable instruction, enabling the interface for instruction to be applied to different and emerging standards. In Phase II we will continue to develop the ASSIST tool. We will develop the interface so instructional developers can easily create courses with adaptive and interactive instructional activities. We will develop a middle layer that abstracts the instructional specification of the course into a general form. We will develop a sequencing engine that converts the general instructional specification into a SCORM simple sequencing conformant XML. To support instructional developers, we will develop a library of instructional constructs that reflect desirable pedagogy. Finally, ASSIST II will be evaluated for usefulness by instructional developers.