Educational Informatics
Gregory Aist
Introduction to Informatics
CPI 101
about myself
• natural language processing
• computer-assisted learning
• Artificial intelligence
• Cognitive Science
• Reading and writing
• Astronaut and pilot training
educational informatics
intersection
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Learning, information, and technology
Learning ~= human learning
Information ~= digital media
Technology ~= computer technology
a field by any other name…
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Related fields
Intelligent tutoring systems
Computer-assisted learning
Educational technology
Artificial intelligence in education
Computer-based training
learning
• Nearly every kind of learning goal
could be the aim
of an educational informatics project
• Examples include
reading, writing, arithmetic,
geometry, algebra, calculus,
programming, diagnosis and repair,
steering large ships, etc.
information
• Nearly every kind of information can be
adapted to instructional delivery
• Examples include
• text, drawings, photographs,
• online documents, wikis, email, SMS,
• simulation environments, virtual reality,
mixed reality
technology
• Nearly every kind of technology
can be adapted to (try to)
help people learn
• Including wide range from in-your-hand
to you’re-in-its-hand:
phones, laptops, desktops, online
networks, full-motion simulators
social setting
• Social setting varies widely
everyday situations,
informal venues such as museums,
formal settings such as universities,
on-the-job training and mentoring
godzilla vs. the matrix
• We want a conceptual framework
in which to explore
educational informatics
• Obviously we can’t easily visualize a
gigantic four-dimensional table
• So I’ve chosen two dimensions
(somewhat arbitrarily)
and have selected applications
learning in various contexts
Everyday
Informal
Literacy
basic skills
ESL
Mathematics
check please symmetry
Formal
On-the-job
algebra
Engineering
manuals
design
Science
museum
physics
Maintenance
games
troubleshooting
Operations
assembly
shiphandling
for each entry
• One slide with metadata
• One with detail and pictures
• Examples are illustrative, not
comprehensive; often there’s earlier or
similar work as well
• Most projects involve lots of people
(sometimes too many to list) so here
only the location/institution is given
metadata: row/column
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Type of application
Short description
Name of example
Who/Where researched and developed
Example location/situation/learners
literacy/everyday
• Talking books
• Student interacts with device that can
speak words out loud
• Example: LeapPad ®
• R&D: LeapFrog (www.leapfrog.com)
literacy/everyday
• book goes
in holder
• touch pen
to paper
in order to
hear word said
literacy/informal
• Language learning software
• Various exercises and formats:
pronunciation, reading,
writing, etc.
• Example: The Rosetta Stone
used in learning centers by
East Texas Literacy Council
literacy/informal
(Snowden 2000)
mathematics/everyday
• Hasn’t been done (as far as I can tell)
but perhaps should: splitting the check
• Q: You order the steak for $24.99.
How much should you pay?
• A: $24.99 plus tax plus tip.
(the exact amount of the tip varies!)
• Model-based diagnosis
A = 30 = 25 * 1.20 (you forgot tax)
A = 27 ~= 25 * 1.07 (you forgot tip)
mathematics/informal
• symmetry
• student explores symmetry of molecules
(this is math + chemistry)
• Example: Online tutorial
http://symmetry.otterbein.edu/
mathematics/informal
mathematics/formal
• Mathematics tutor
• Software guides student through
problem solving, offers assistance
• Example: Cognitive Tutors
• R&D: Carnegie Mellon University,
Carnegie Learning
• Specific example:
Middle and high school math
mathematics/formal
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tracks progress through math problem
supports multiple representations
identifies errors
diagnoses reason
offers assistance
engineering/informal
• manuals
• Paper, disk/CD, online, etc.
• Sometimes pretty dry, sometimes not
engineering/informal
engineering/informal
engineering/formal
• Tutorial dialogue for engineering design
• Engages students in dialogue about
design choices for thermodynamics
• CycleTalk
• Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern,
US Naval Academy
engineering/formal
• CycleTalk built on top of CyclePad
simulation:
construct,
analyze,
discuss
thermodynamic
cycles
science/informal
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Museum tour guide
Robot guides visitor around museum
Example: CiceRobot
R&D by: University of Palermo
Site: Archaeological Museum of
Agrigento, Italy
science/informal
• guide visitor
on prearranged path
or, interact with visitor,
build custom tour
science/formal
• Physics
• Student engages in physics problem
solving and discussion with computer
tutor
• Example: Andes
• R&D: University of Pittsburgh
and the US Naval Academy
science/formal
maintenance/everyday
maintenance/on-the-job
• Troubleshooting
• Example: F-16 Maintenance Skills Tutor
maintenance/on-the-job
• “The F-16 Maintenance Skills Tutor simulates
the experience of on-the-job training
including running tests, moving switches,
replacing components, taking measurements,
and asking an expert for help. This is done by
giving the student realistic guided simulations
of real-life problem situations using software
models and high resolution graphics backed
by an expert system that knows how to
troubleshoot.”
http://www.mitre.org/
news/the_edge/march_99/second.html
operations/everyday
• Sudoku (prototype)
• Student interacts with software
which illustrates
and explains strategies
• R&D:
University of Waterloo
operations/everyday
operations/everyday
operations/on-the-job
• Conning Officer Virtual Environment
(COVE)
• Shiphandling tutor
• Virtual environment provides practice &
feedback for maneuvering large ships
by giving spoken instructions
• US Navy
operations/on-the-job
• Example: underway replenishment
beyond the matrix
• Today we’ve covered technology that
interacts directly with learners
• There’s plenty of other opportunities to
apply informatics to education
• Automated essay scoring grades exams
• Course management software
does just that
• Presentation software as in this talk