Article: Relevance of an intelligent tutorial agent for virtual reality training systems Journal: International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning (IJCEELL) 2002 Vol.12 No.1/2/3/4 pp.214-229 Abstract: Virtual reality (VR) is mostly used as a technical means of immersing the user in a computer-generated situation where the reality is the model to be perfectly recreated. Trainers often provide supportive explanations by using tutorial situations that do not exactly reproduce reality. Therefore, VR systems should also provide such tutorial situations. In order to address this issue, an intelligent tutorial agent has been designed to support the learning process. The agent is based on a cognitive taxonomy of the trainee|s behaviour in the VR context. For each trainee, the agent provides two kinds of tutorial according to his/her knowledge level. The first one consists of modifying the scenario and the second one consists of guiding the trainee. These strategies can be represented by different fidelity levels of virtual environments (e.g. enhancement, simplification). They can be activated by the trainee, by the trainer or automatically. They are specified off-line and continuously modified on-line. An application of this intelligent agent is being implemented in a VR simulation-based training system for SNCF train drivers. The goal of this application is to teach the procedure to control and handle switches on high speed train tracks. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Relevance of an intelligent tutorial agent for virtual reality training systems

Authors: Domitile Lourdeaux, Philippe Fuchs, Jean-Marie Burkhardt, Franck Bernard

Addresses: Ecole des Mines de Paris, Centre de Robotique, Paris 75005, France. Ecole des Mines de Paris, Centre de Robotique, Paris 75005, France. Universite Paris 5, LEI (Laboratoire d'Ergonomie Informatique), Paris 75005, France. SNCF, DRH, Division Ergonomie, Paris 75008, France

Abstract: Virtual reality (VR) is mostly used as a technical means of immersing the user in a computer-generated situation where the reality is the model to be perfectly recreated. Trainers often provide supportive explanations by using tutorial situations that do not exactly reproduce reality. Therefore, VR systems should also provide such tutorial situations. In order to address this issue, an intelligent tutorial agent has been designed to support the learning process. The agent is based on a cognitive taxonomy of the trainee|s behaviour in the VR context. For each trainee, the agent provides two kinds of tutorial according to his/her knowledge level. The first one consists of modifying the scenario and the second one consists of guiding the trainee. These strategies can be represented by different fidelity levels of virtual environments (e.g. enhancement, simplification). They can be activated by the trainee, by the trainer or automatically. They are specified off-line and continuously modified on-line. An application of this intelligent agent is being implemented in a VR simulation-based training system for SNCF train drivers. The goal of this application is to teach the procedure to control and handle switches on high speed train tracks.

Keywords: VR; training; ITS; tutorial strategies; pedagogical assistance; multi-agent systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2002.000430

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2002 Vol.12 No.1/2/3/4, pp.214-229

Published online: 16 Jul 2003 *

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Title: Relevance of an intelligent tutorial agent for virtual reality training systems

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