An approach that support multiple linked representations within an intelligent tutoring system for helping students to develop skills on designing digital circuits

Abstract

This paper proposes an approach that allows an exploration of three linked representations within a tutoring system for helping students in problem solving situations to develop skills on designing digital logic circuits. Specifically, we provide a learning environment by considering situations that essentially consist of mapping a logic expression into another equivalent. This environment can work on two basic situations: (i) the students are asked to solve problems, having the possibility to receive personalized assistance or (ii) the tutoring system resolves problems asked by students. The problems and solutions have to be specified in two symbolic representations: Boolean algebra or Propositional Logic, having each expression automatically mapped into its equivalent expression displayed in gate logic language. The tutoring system architecture is presented, as well as its aspects of implementation. The proposed and implemented approach to the tutoring system was evaluated through scenarios of problems with adequate coverage, demonstrating its feasibility.