An Analysis of the Pedagogical Effects of Expert System Use in the Classroom

An experiment that examines the use of expert systems to enhance student learning in an introductory Production and Operations Management (POM) class is discussed. An experimental expert system, SCHEDULER, was built within the domain of scheduling. It provided students with the opportunity to experience working with and integrating scheduling heuristics, constraints, and management requirements. The experiment also exposed students to using, rather than having to build, computerized decision aids, and expert systems in particular. Measurements of student learning and assessments of student perception regarding use of expert systems indicate expert systems can provide a valuable enhancement to the learning environment.

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