ALPS: Bringing Active Inquiry into Active Problem Solving

The ALPS project (Active Learning in Problem Solving) is building and evaluating an educational technology that combines cognitive tutors with a novel interactive questioning environment called Synthetic Interviews. Our goal is to develop an "active learning" environment that rivals the effectiveness of human tutors. The first version combines an existing cognitive algebra tutor with a virtual algebra teacher that students can query for additional help. Beta versions of the system have been used by over one hundred middle school (six, seventh, and eighth grade) students. This demonstration will allow participants to work through a simple algebra problem with the cognitive tutor while they ask deeper questions of the Synthetic Interview. KEYWORDS Cognitive Tutor Virtual Agent Active Learning

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: IADIS
• Authors: Scott M. Stevens, Albert T. Corbett, Kenneth R. Koedinger, Angela Z. Wagner, Chih-Yu Chao, Harry Ulrich, Sharon Lesgold
• Keywords: Active Learning, Cognitive Algebra Tutor, Cognitive Tutor, IADIS 2004, IADIS 2008