Supporting learning by opening the student model

Abstract

Intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) provide individualised instruction by maintaining models of their students. Traditionally, these models have been hidden from the student. However, recent work in the area has suggested educational benefits in exposing the student model. This approach, known as open student modelling, allows the student to inspect their model thereby facilitating reflection, which is known to enhance the learning process. To date, few evaluations have been conducted to determine the effects that open student models have on learning. This is the focus of our work. In particular, we are interested in whether even a simple open model can have a positive effect on learning. We have exposed the student model in e-KERMIT, and performed an evaluation study. Subjective results from the study are encouraging, although a more extensive study is needed to draw reliable conclusions.