COMPANION: An Interactive Learning Environment Based on the Cognitive Apprenticeship Paradigm for Design Engineers Using Numerical Simulations.

The use of numerical simulations to design and analyze new products requires both conceptual and operational knowledge. This paper describes COMPANION: an intelligent multimedia system for vocational training used by engineers and technicians. A key concept in terms of training methodology is that of "situated learning," or continuous learning in the workplace. Cognitive apprenticeship is a design model supporting situational learning which is an extension of the traditional apprenticeship model focusing on learning problem solving skills in the practice of performing authentic tasks. The novird (apprentice) watches the expert performing the task, dnd the expert allows the novice to ask questions and perform small parts of the task, with the amount of the task carried out by the novice increasing as experience is gained. Following an introduction in section one, section two describes the different student uses of COMPANION, and shows how cognitive apprenticeship and hypermedia are integrated in the whole system. Section three focuses on the structure of COMPANION. Section four details the content of hypermedia modules used in conceptual knowledge acquisition. Section five describes how the operational knowledge is structured and acquired. Sections six and seven, respectively, detail the engineering activity and the technical assistant, which embodies the knowledge that becomes operational during problem solving with collaboration between the student and COMPANION. (Contains 17 references.) (Author/MAS) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION n EducalOnar Roseau. and Imrpovernenl EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTE R (ERIC) (' This document fidS oeen reproduced as rece.ved from Ihe person or orgamtatIon ongrnatrng .1 O AA:nor cnanges nave been made to .mprove reproducbon Quatrty Points 0I vsew Of opilltonS staled to !Ns dOCu rnenl do not necessarrly represent otIrcral OE RI Posmen or pollry COMPANION : An interactive learning environment based on the cognitive apprenticeship paradigm for design engineers using numerical simulations Y. HILEM & M. FUTTERSACK L1UM Université du Maine, Route de Laval, BP 535, 72017 Le Mans, France E-Mail : youcef@lium.univ-lemans.fr "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY