Inducing High-Level Behaviors from Problem-Solving Traces Using Machine-Learning Tools

Many researchers consider interactive learning environments to be interesting solutions for overcoming the limits of classical one-to-many teaching methods. However, these environments should incorporate accurate representations of student knowledge to provide relevant guidance. In a problem-solving environment, one way to build and update this student model is model tracing, or using a detailed representation of cognitive skills to precisely follow what the student is doing. Some model-tracing tutors such as PAT (Personal Algebra Tutor) contain rules that the system can use to solve the problem and assess the student´s solution.