An Approach of Student Modelling in a Learning Companion System

Nowadays there is an increasing interest in the development of computational systems that provide alternative (to the traditional classroom) forms of education, such as Distance Learning (DL) and Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS). Adaptation in the process of interaction with the student is a key feature of ITS that is particularly critical in web-based DL, where the system should provide real-time support to a learner that most times does not rely on other kinds of synchronous feedback. This paper presents the LeCo-EAD approach of student modelling. LeCo-EAD is a Learning Companion System for web-based DL that includes three kinds of learning companions – collaborator, learner, and trouble maker – that are always available to interact with and support the remote students. The student modelling approach of LeCo-EAD is appropriate to the DL context as it allows updating the student model in order to provide feedback and support to the distant students in real-time.