Cognitive Tutor Authoring Tools 2.6 > Using the Tools

Chapter 2. Using the Tools

Table of Contents

1. Getting Started
2. Working with Behavior Graph (BRD) Files
2.1. Link Types
2.2. Navigating a Behavior Graph (BRD) in the Behavior Recorder
3. Example-tracing Tutors
3.1. Demonstrate
3.2. Generalize
3.2.1. Input Matching
3.2.2. Student- and Tool-Performed Actions
3.2.3. Ordering Constraints
3.2.4. Optional Steps and Minimum/Maximum Traversals
3.3. Annotate
3.3.1. Hints
3.3.2. Feedback
3.3.3. Skills
3.4. Test
4. Cognitive Tutors (Jess)
4.1. Files and file types
4.1.1. Production Rules file
4.1.2. Jess Templates file (.CLP)
4.1.3. Jess Facts file (.WME)
4.1.4. Behavior Graph file
4.2. Cognitive Tutor (Jess) Tools
4.2.1. Behavior Recorder
4.2.2. Working Memory (WME) Editor
4.2.3. Conflict Tree
4.2.4. Why Not? Window
4.2.5. Jess Console
4.2.6. Breakpoints
4.3. Writing Jess Production Rules
4.3.1. Anatomy of a production rule
4.3.2. Naming a production rule
4.3.3. Predicting a student action
4.3.4. Providing hints or feedback messages
4.3.5. Jess Resources
4.4. Writing Jess Functions
4.4.1. Writing a matcher function
4.4.2. Evaluating the result of a function in a production rule
5. Generalizing an example-tracing tutor with formulas
5.1. What are formulas and when are they useful?
5.2. Installing the Formula Builder
5.2.1. Windows XP
5.2.2. Mac OS X
5.3. Writing a formula
5.3.1. Referring to other links and widgets
5.3.2. Operators
5.3.3. Return types
5.3.4. Using the Formula Builder
5.3.5. Syntax-checking
5.4. Testing a formula
5.5. Formulas in hints and error feedback messages
5.6. Writing your own function

This chapter describes using the various tools in CTAT that allow you to create and test tutors.

1. Getting Started

To create a new tutor, or to work with an existing tutor, start by opening the version of CTAT that corresponds to the tutor technology you've used or want to use for the student interface.

  1. Open the version of CTAT corresponding to the user interface technology you are using:

    • To work with a Java tutor, open CTAT for Java.

    • To work with a Flash tutor, open CTAT for Flash.

  2. Open the student interface:

    • To open a Java student interface, select File > Open Student Interface, and select the Java class file representing the student interface. This file must be within the $CTAT/Projects folder hierarchy.

    • To open a Flash student interface, either open the Flash source file (.FLA) in the Flash IDE and test the Flash movie (); or open the Flash movie (.SWF) in the Flash Player directly.

  3. In the student interface, enter a start state for the problem to be solved. For example, in the Fraction Addition student interface, you might enter the values for the two given fractions. When you are done, select Graph > Create Start State.

  4. For an Example-tracing tutor, you should demonstrate the solution steps for the problem. See Example-tracing Tutors for more information on building an Example-tracing tutor.

    For a Cognitive Tutor, you will examine working memory, modifying it if necessary, and write production rules. See Section 4, “Cognitive Tutors (Jess)” for more information on building a Cognitive Tutor.

Tutorials. If you are new to building tutors with CTAT, you may want to explore the example-based tutorials on the CTAT web site.

Creating a new student interface

To create a new student interface, you will work in either the NetBeans IDE or the Flash IDE. When you would like to add behavior to the tutor, you will launch both the student interface and the CTAT program as described above.

[Note]Note

When creating a Java-language student interface, you can run the student interface from the NetBeans IDE, which will automatically open both the student interface and CTAT for Java. This process is covered in the tutorial "Building a student interface for fraction addition".

Prev   Next
5.2. Global Preferences Home 2. Working with Behavior Graph (BRD) Files