The concept of a qualitative model provides a unifying perspective for understanding how expert systems differ from conventional programs. Knowledge bases contain qualitative models of systems in the world, that is, primarily non-numeric descriptions that provide a basis for explaining and predicting behavior and formulating action plans. The…

Examines four working steps from an empirical model where an expert abstractor discovers what a paper is about and drafts a topic sentence; a simulation system is developed using this model. Discusses knowledge processing activities of professional summarizing. Results indicate that a small simulation model of professional summarizing is feasible.…

Software agents are computer programs that run in the background and perform tasks autonomously as delegated by the user. This paper blends models from marketing research and findings from the field of decision support systems to build a framework for the design of software agents to support in e-commerce buying applications. (Contains 35…

This paper describes the theoretical underpinnings and architecture of a new type of learning environment that incorporates features of microworlds and of intelligent tutoring systems. The environment is based on a progression of increasingly sophisticated causal models that simulate domain phenomena, generate explanations, and serve as student…

This survey of intelligent tutoring systems describes the components of these systems, different teaching scenarios, and the relation of these systems to a theory of instruction. It argues that the underlying pedagogical approach is to make latent knowledge manifest by using different forms of quantitative modeling: (1) simulating physical…

Describes the emphasis of decision support systems as being on the decision making process itself, rather than the flow of information; reviews the uses of microcomputers in libraries in recent years; and compares five decision modeling software packages. An appendix lists the name, manufacturer's address, price, and hardware requirements of each…

In keeping with current Department of Defense policies on integrated diagnostics and a reduced reliance on paper-based documentation, the concept of a portable, expert-system-based job aid and training device was proposed to assist inexperienced electronics maintenance technicians in learning to maintain sophisticated equipment. A prototype was…

This report describes the Intelligent Maintenance Training System (IMTS), a set of software tools for composing and delivering simulation-based technical training. The goal in developing IMTS was to generate instructional interactions from device models composed of instances of generic objects. Problem selection in IMTS relies on the use of a…

Discusses the design and use of intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) for computerized business simulations. Reviews the use of ITS as an instructional technology; presents a model for ITS-based business simulations; examines the user interface and link between the ITS and simulation; and recommends expert-consultant diagnostic testing, and…

Discussion of the use of computer simulation in the social sciences highlights types of simulation strategies and their combinations in comprehensive simulations. The strengths and weaknesses of simulations as instructional and research tools are examined, examples are given, and design issues arising in each type are explored. (29 references)…