Knowledge Navigator for Intelligent Collaborative E-Tutoring: A Proposed Framework using Fuzzy Cognitive Agent

With access to wide-ranging technologies, tremendous web data from heterogeneous sources and different learning abilities, it is desired to develop learner oriented knowledge navigation based tutoring system. The present study suggests a fuzzy cognitive agent based knowledge navigator for intelligent tutoring in a collaborative environment. It can be used to provide an insight to the cognitive aspects of tutor and learner during knowledge navigation, knowledge access and their response to social interactive collaborative environment. The system referred as KNICETS, simulates thought process during collaborative activity; and thus, navigates relevant, unambiguous content using BDI (Belief-Desire-Intention) Model. It is also proposed that based on the empirical data gathered during the tutoring session, the system must suggest an appropriate learning path for learner and effective tutoring strategy for tutor. It attempts to model learner’s and tutor’s cognitive process; analyses the similarities and differences in the learning paths followed by different learners; acquires this new knowledge to fed to the agent by the instructional designer. The system uses fuzzy cognitive map to assist the learner in knowledge navigation by becoming more aware of the learners’ cognitive ability and attitude towards collaborative environment and thus, make strategies for efficient navigation based on experience. It can be used to determine the correlation between learning pattern and tutor’s efficacy. The impact of self paced and collaborative E-Tutoring on learner’s cognitive capability can also be traced. Aiding the acquisition of cognitive abilities is an important issue within the teaching-learning process. It develops an effective simulation of the problem solution in a given domain, from the human point of view and thus helps to control the way collaborative process is executed.