Use of expert system generation to promote knowledge synthesis in a meteorology forecasting course

We attempt to determine if the critical thinking and knowledge synthesis benefits could be demonstrated in the meteorology domain. We want to test and subsequently refine our procedures for training users to develop expert systems. For the pilot study we define and implement a particular amount and kind of training. This paper discussed the results of a study where meteorology students generated expert systems on forecasting topics. In prior studies, the processing that a learner must engage in to create the knowledge bases of if-then rules required in expert systems has been shown to increase knowledge synthesis in the domain of interest. The current pilot study confirmed that the activity encouraged knowledge synthesis in the domain as evaluated by students´ final presentations of their expert systems. Further, students in the study, who tend to be poorer performers based upon their GPA predictors tended to excel in the project, thus providing this type of student with an alternative means of learning the material