A Hypergraph Based Framework for Intelligent Tutoring of Algebraic Reasoning

The translation of word problems into equations is one of the major difficulties for students regarding problem solving. This paper describes both a domain-specific knowledge representation and an inference engine based on hypergraphs that permits intelligent student supervision of this stage of the solving process. The framework presented makes it possible to simultaneously: a) represent all potential algebraic solutions to a given word problem; b) keep track of the student’s actions; c) provide automatic remediation; and d) determine the current state of the resolution process univocally. Starting from these ideas, we have designed an intelligent tutoring system (ITS). An experimental evaluation supports the use of this ITS in practice.