Animated explanations using adaptive student models

Intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) are based on an individualized student model representing the current state and the possible development of the student. The basic aim of this research is to make the tutoring system capable of helping the student within his/her conceptual framework and rate of learning and also aiding the student to learn what is appropriate in his/her current state. Intensive and diverse research has not provided yet a common ground for analyzing and designing such systems, but has clarified some common problems present in every method. These problems are the plausibility of the student model, the range and the automatic diagnosis of the model. It is shown in the paper that the above mentioned problems can be solved by: making an extensive task-analysis (external student modeling); and externalizing the mental processes of the student within constraints that are natural for the student. The EDISON system (electronic circuit simulation environment with intelligent tutoring module) is built using the above assumptions. The tutoring module may provide an explanation of the experiment in simulating simple electronic circuits. This explanation is based on the student model and on the recognized plans and goals