A hybrid expert system as an embedded module in tutoring systems

Abstract Every Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS), in order to justify the term ‘intelligent’, has to contain the specific knowledge of the taught subject as well as to embed several modules with those mechanisms that are able to handle the knowledge in an intelligent way (e.g., using rules of thumb, tricks etc.) and, in general, behave in a way that would be considered intelligent if observed by a human. Such modules are apparently necessary in ITS generators too. In this paper, the Hybrid Methodology Tutor (HMeT) is presented. HMeT is a hybrid expert system that is embedded in an ITS generator and supports the description of the structure and dynamics of the procedural knowledge, during authoring; it is also responsible for its presentation during tutoring. HMeT was designed and implemented to replace an earlier version (MeT ‐ Methodology Tutor), in order to provide for higher inferential capabilities, better user interface and more user friendliness in authoring as well as in tutoring. HMeT functions li...