Smart Machines in Education ― The Coming Revolution in Educational Technology

Multimedia, simulation, computer-mediated communication networks, and distancelearning have all become part of the educational toolkit. The next major technology to change theface of education will be based on the widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI). Progress inAI has led to a deeper understanding of how to represent knowledge, to reason, and to describeprocedural knowledge. Progress in cognitive science has led to a deeper understanding of how peoplethink, solve problems, and learn. AI scientists use results from cognitive science to createsoftware with more humanlike abilities, which can help students learn better.This book looks at someof the results of this synergy among AI, cognitive science, and education. Examples include virtualstudents whose misconceptions force students to reflect on their own knowledge, intelligent tutoringsystems, and speech recognition technology that helps students learn to read. Some of the systemsdescribed are already used in classrooms and have been evaluated; a few are still laboratoryefforts. The book also addresses cultural and political issues involved in the deployment of neweducational technologies.

Paul J. Feltovich is Professor of Medical Education and Psychiatry at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. He is the coeditor of Expertise in Context (AAAI Press/MIT Press, 1997).