An Automated Cognitive Science Advisor for Instructional Systems Designers

IAI will research, design, and develop an automated, intelligent development aid to support instructional systems courseware authors. Through a DLL-based Application Programmers Interface (API), this aid will dynamically supply the following expert support to an author who is using any courseware developing tool across Win95TM platform: (1) observe the authoring process and provide timely advice regarding instructional opportunities and/or pitfalls in the current context; (2) answer structured queries regarding cognitive learning principles, pedagogy, and relevant examples of instructional intervention; and (3) enable the author to save, load, and edit portable curriculum plans. This nitive Science Advisor e from an extensible knowledge base containing cognitive principles, especially in the areas of skill acquisition/development in human task performance and problem solving; the process of novice-to-expert progression; and their applications in training and instruction. This system will be useful in all contexts of instructional design, including K-12 eduction adult education, distance learning courseware development, and technical training. As increasing amounts of courseware are published on the World Wide Web, issues of quality are increasingly important. This product will also enhance the ability to review this courseware for quality, by informing the reviewer of relevant knowledge, including new findings, in cognitive science that are related to specific courseware.