EasyMath: A multimedia Tutoring System for Algebra
Maria K. Virvou, Victoria Tsiriga · 1999
This paper describes a multimedia tutoring system for Algebra. The system is called "EasyMath" and it incorporates intelligence. One of the primary aims of EasyMath is its usefulness in school classrooms, therefore school teachers of mathematics have been involved throughout the life cycle of EasyMath. The design of EasyMath has been based on the results of an empirical study that was conducted at schools and the resulting product was evaluated by school-teachers as well as students. EasyMath incorporates techniques from Intelligent Tutoring Systems. In particular, it takes a reconstructive approach to student modelling and error diagnosis, which uses a generic model of the domain for the reconstruction of correct and incorrect solutions to exercises. EasyMath provides a facility for the dynamic construction of new exercises for students on which it can perform error diagnosis and provide appropriate advice. EasyMath has been evaluated by school teachers and students. The results of the evaluation show that the multimedia interface provides a user-friendly interactive environment which seems more attractive to students than conventional teaching methods. In addition, EasyMath's intelligence guarantees more individualised advice with high relevance to the context and problems of the students.