Book Description

The Design Recommendations for Intelligent Tutoring Systems series has covered many different topics over the past ten years. Those topics have ranged from general components of intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) (Learner Modeling, Instructional Management, Authoring Tools, Domain Modeling) to advanced elements (Assessment Methods, Team Tutoring, Self-Improving Systems, Data Visualization, Competency Based-Scenario Design). Our most recent previous volume included a series of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analyses on all the initial topics as well as overviews of ITSs in general and the Generalized Intelligent Framework for Tutoring (GIFT) software (Sottilare et al., 2012; Sottilare et al., 2017; Goldberg & Sinatra, 2023). Each book in the Design Recommendations for Intelligent Tutoring Systems series has been associated with an Expert Workshop on the same topic. These workshops are part of a cooperative agreement (W911NF18-2-0039) between US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center and University of Memphis. One of the goals of the expert workshops is to learn more about ITS capabilities that are being developed, and how these approaches, as well as lessons learned, could enhance the GIFT software (GIFT is freely available at https://www.GIFTtutoring.org). Invited experts in industry, academia, and government discuss the expert workshop topic, their applicable work, and suggestions for improving GIFT in what is usually a two day event. Both the University of Memphis and GIFT Teams participate in the workshop, help to guide discussion, and ask questions that will provide insight into current challenges in GIFT. The expert workshop associated with this current book was held virtually in October 2022, and included presentations about both general approaches and specific applications to professional education in ITSs. Additionally, the University of Memphis team that participated in the workshop included Arthur C. Graesser, Xiangen Hu, Vasile Rus, and Jody Cockroft. The US Army DEVCOM Soldier Center team who participated in the workshop included Benjamin Goldberg, Gregory Goodwin, Anne M. Sinatra, Randall Spain, and Lisa N. Townsend. The current volume and the expert workshop that was associated with it, branched out in a new direction and rather than addressing specific components of an ITS or types of features/approaches that could be included in ITSs, it focused on how to apply an ITS for specific types of training. The specific focus was on ITSs for Professional Career Education. This topic area was selected, as in general, ITS research tends to be focused on K-12 or college education, and in many cases on domains such as algebra or physics. However, for the military, and for industry, trainees are adult learners and domains tend to be more active, applied, and experiential. This workshop provided an opportunity for discussion of specific examples of applied training that occurs with ITSs, as well as discussion of general approaches and considerations for applied professional education in ITSs.