Building intelligent tutorial systems for teaching simulation in engineering education

A framework for building intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) to teach students the use of various simulation systems used in engineering education is described. Case studies to two widely used simulators in electronics education (LASAR, a digital logic simulator, and SPICE, an integrated circuit simulator) provide the basis of pedagogical methodology for teaching the use of simulators. This methodology is used to develop a tutorial environment which includes: an authoring system that enables an instructor to develop and tailor the course contents; and a course presentation system that communicates this information via a direct manipulation interface to the user. The student perceives the tutorial as a hypertext network which can be freely explored; however, the tutoring system monitors and dynamically reconfigures the accessible information according to the level and attainment of expertise by the student. The environment includes components to monitor and evaluate the performance of the student. This tutorial framework is used to create intelligent tutorial systems for SPICE and LASAR