Reactive Learning Environment for the Equipment Problem Solving Techniques (EPST) System

摘要

This thesis describes a user-friendly program that allows students to troubleshoot equipment in a reactive learning environment. The system allows students to develop problem solving strategies while troubleshooting faulty equipment through the use of video scenes with graphic overlays. The student interface contains instructional strategies which access information stored in a database consisting of semantic networks and frames. Student troubleshooting involves moving within equipment, changing device settings, setting up test equipment, and obtaining equipment readings. Important features of the student interface include the simulation of devices based on first order effects, the use of production rules to describe device state transitions, and the use of an emulation algorithm to ripple out device state changes. The student interface also allows users to follow wire connections, set up test equipment, record hypotheses, and get on-line help. The student interface is general in nature. the content of the database can be changed to represent any type of equipment, but the student interface does not have to be redeveloped or modified for the new database.