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Explanation in expert system shells: a tool for exploration and learning

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Book cover Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS 1992)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 608))

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Abstract

In this paper we analyse the explanation facilities of several expert systems using a framework based on factors relevant to the structure and content of a generated explanation. We compare this with the lack of such facilities in expert system shells, and lay out criteria for an explanation facility within an expert system shell for education. We then describe their realisation in the explores (explanation oriented expert system) shell, where domain-independent templates allow questions to be asked about the domain of any knowledge base being consulted. In response, the shell generates domain-based explanations, with further information available through follow-up questions related to the original question, the generated explanation, and the available knowledge. This facility allows a user to explore and learn about a knowledge domain, and has implications for the use of expert system shells in education.

The research described in this paper was carried out in the Department of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Edinburgh.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Research, University of Lancaster, LA1 4YF, Lancaster, UK

    Karen Valley

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  1. Karen Valley
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Claude Frasson Gilles Gauthier Gordon I. McCalla

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© 1992 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Valley, K. (1992). Explanation in expert system shells: a tool for exploration and learning. In: Frasson, C., Gauthier, G., McCalla, G.I. (eds) Intelligent Tutoring Systems. ITS 1992. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 608. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-55606-0_70

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-55606-0_70

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-55606-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-47254-4

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