REPRESENTATION OF KNOWLEDGE IN CAL COURSEWARE

Abstract Conceptual systems analysis analyzes the organizing principle binding related concepts, procedures, relations, etc. together. It permits the construction of visual representations of a subject matter so that the scope of this conceptual system and its subordinate and superordinate systems can be seen readily. Any teacher or instructional designer must have and use a model or representation of the subject matter, no matter how inchoate. Equally the instructional system (e.g. computer program) must incorporate a knowledge representation of the subject matter. But it must also have a representation of the student's knowledge and representation of his capability for carrying out required operations though this feature is difficult to implement today. Ideally the instructional system will have a knowledge representation of the teaching process or learning opportunities so that it or the student can select an optimal route through the knowledge structure. In the absence of such intelligent software, the use of knowledge representations as teaching aids is a valuable addition to the theory and practice of educational technology.