Research on Instructional Decision Models.

Abstract : The purpose of this work was to conduct programmatic research in a computer-administered instructional (CAI) environment, in order to determine optimization procedures for a meaningful CAI system. The research strategy involved iterative development and testing of a series of Instructional Decision Models (IDMs), in a total systems effort (instructional strategy, hardware, software, content). Instruction was carried on by a dialogue between a computerized tutor and the student. Factors explored included the student's pre-course history, his characteristics at course entry, a mapping of subject matter structure, and the within-course history of information exchange between student and program of instruction. Extension and elaboration of the IDMs were natural outgrowths of selectively increasing the number of decision factors, elaborating the decision rules, and increasing the number of decision options.