AutoTutor and affective computing in intelligent tutoring systems

Artificial Intelligence

There is much ado about artificial intelligence today and this is reflected in the article published in the Science Daily entitled "New Computers Respond to Students' Emotions, Boredom." The report states that the computer software is such that is senses the emotions of students and responds to the cognitive and emotional states of students including those of frustration and boredom. This computer program was developed by Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame, Sidney D'Mello, along with Art Grae3sser from the University of Memphis and another colleague from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

A New Technology

Reported as a new technology "which matches the interaction of human tutors, not only offers tremendous learning possibilities for students, but also redefines human-computer interaction." (Science Daily, 2012) The software program is named "AutoTutor" and "Affective AutoTutor" and can be used to measure the level of knowledge of students through "asking probing questions; analyzing the student's responses to those questions; proactively identifying and correcting misconceptions; responding to the student's own questions, gripes and comments; and even sensing a student's frustration or boredom through facial expression and body posture and dynamically changing its strategies to help the student conquer those negative emotions." (Science Daily, 2012)

III. Intelligence Tutoring System (ITS)

The software system is an 'Intelligent Tutoring System' (ITS) that assists students in learning "complex technical content in Newtonian physics, computer literacy and critical thinking by holding a conversation in natural language; simulating teaching and motivational strategies of human tutors; modeling students' cognitive states; using its student model to dynamically tailor the interaction to individual students; answering students' questions; identifying and correcting misconceptions; and keeping students engaged with images, animations and simulations." (Science Daily, 2012) Additionally, the software system has added emotion-sensitive capacities through monitoring such as facial expressions, student's body language and even conversational cues. The software program works in the regulation of negative states in students and synthesizes emotions through the programs verbal responses, intonation of speech and changing the animated teacher's facial expression. (Science Daily, 2012, paraphrased)

Summary and Conclusion

This software appears to be such that will promote the learning of students through sensing their emotions and feelings about the lessons being taught. This software should be a success and such that advances learning of students.