Using an Intelligent Tutoring System to Support Learners’ WMC in e-learning: Application in Mathematics Learning

Abstract

Learning is a complex process linked to a number of individual, cognitive and affective characteristics of the learner. In this context, the learner’s Working Memory (WM) concept has also been identified as a preacher of learning performance. In the learning process, solving a problem is an essential part of the learner's WM. Its capacity and performance are predictive factors of academic success. The success of the given problem depends on a good selection, processing and transformation of this information. This mental work within the WM requires a good WM Capacity (WMC). The improvement of the WMC needs some strategies which focus on the learning content and the use of educational technologies in the learning process. Encouraged by the results of previous research, this work aims to harness the potential of educational technologies to enhance the learners' WM ability in learning mathematics in an e-learning environment. In order to help learners with low WMC in e-learning, this paper proposes to set up an e-learning platform integrating an Intelligent Tutorial System (ITS). The purpose of this ITS is to manage the limited ability of the learner's WM by adopting strategies that improve the transition of mathematical knowledge from short-term memory to long-term memory. The proposed ITS generates e-learning content that will serve to improve the learner's WMC, and subsequently improve his learning performance.