What's in a step? Toward general, abstract representations of tutoring system log data

Abstract

The Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center (PSLC) is developing a data storage and analysis facility, called DataShop. It currently handles log data from 6 full-year tutoring systems and dozens of smaller, experimental tutoring systems. DataShop requires a representation of log data that supports a variety of tutoring systems, atheoretical analyses and theoretical analyses. The theory-based analyses are strongly related to student modeling, so the lessons learned in developing the DataShop's representation may apply to student modeling in general. This report discusses the representation originally used by the DataShop, the problems encountered, and how the key concept of "step" evolved to meet these challenges. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.