| Stottler Henke developed for the U. S.
Navy a simulation-based intelligent
tutoring system (ITS) that enables
students to act as TAOs in tactical
simulations. The simulation's
graphical user interface displays
a geographical map of the region
and provides rapid access to
the ship's sensor, weapon, and
communication functions.
After the student completes
a scenario, the ITS evaluates
the entire sequence of student
actions to infer tactical principles
that the student applied correctly
or failed to apply. These principles
are detected according to sophisticated,
temporal pattern-matching algorithms
defined by the instructor using
the system's graphical user
interface. The system
is highly configurable, and
authoring tools enable the instructor
to define new types of ships
and aircraft, scenarios, and
principles. The instructor can
also define complex behaviors
for each friendly and enemy
ship and aircraft to create
realistic, multi-agent simulations.
The system employs hierarchical finite state machines to control the behaviors of other simulated entities
as well as to detect significant patterns of actions, events, and state conditions
to monitor the student's actions,
evaluate the appropriateness of their actions,
and assess their knowledge and skills.
Stottler Henke has created a second-generation ITS that works with a
Northrop Grumman-developed WatchStation simulator, to be used during training
exercises at the U.S. Navy’s Surface Warfare Officer’s School (SWOS) in Rhode Island.
The second-generation TAO ITS offers several advantages to the Navy.
First, the speech-enabled graphical user interface more accurately represents how a
TAO actually works on board a Navy ship by enabling the student to converse with
simulated crew members to issue commands and receive information.
Second, the new TAO ITS employs intelligent agents, rather than instructors,
to play the roles of simulated crew members.
This reduces the staff overhead required to conduct effective TAO training.
Third, the new system automatically evaluates the student’s performance in real-time
and infer tactical principles that were applied correctly, or not applied,
so it can coach the student during each scenario.
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