Developing and using cases to teach "trained novices"

Even with extensive formal training, new operators of modern, large-scale technological systems typically have extended periods of on-the-job training before they become experts. In some of these environments, the complex and changing nature of operational requirements is exacerbated by the cost of training and need to meet certification requirements. A case-based intelligent tutoring system (CBITS) has been proposed as one alternative to respond to the need for additional training. This paper describes the development of cases for a case-based intelligent tutor and illustrates how an example case can be used in a particular implementation-GT-CBITS (Georgia Tech case-based intelligent tutoring system). The case addresses the use of a newly certified submode and control feature of the MD-11 aircraft. The paper illustrates how GT-CBITS represents expert knowledge of a case with the operator function model (OFM) and uses OFMspert, the computational implementation of the operator function model, as the intelligence to maintain dynamic expert and student models.