A Learner Model for Learning-by-Example Context

Nowadays learning environments put more and more accent on the intelligence of the system. The intelligence of a learning environment is largely attributed to its ability of adapting to a specific learner during the learning process. The adaptation depends on individual learner´s knowledge of the subject to be learned, and other relevant characteristics of the learner. The knowledge and the relevant information about the learner are maintained in the learner model. A learner model can be defined as structured information about the learning process; and this structure contains some values of the learner´s characteristics. This paper proposes a new learner model, which is based on the consideration of what is appropriate to the learning-by-example context. The model records five categories of information about the learner: personal data, learner´s characteristics, learning state, learner´s interactions with the system, and learner´s knowledge. This model is being integrated in Sphinx, an educational environment based on learning by means of examples.