My tutor, the computer

Education Week features this generous article about Carnegie Mellon's pioneering work in creating intelligent tutoring systems--including our Cognitive Tutor programs--that are helping thousands of students learn algebra, geometry, physics, chemistry and even foreign languages, to name a few. The article cites research that shows students who use Cognitive Tutor Algebra make gains equal to about one letter grade. Ken Koedinger, a professor of human-computer interaction, notes that Cognitive Tutors are not meant to replace instruction by a human teacher, but to augment it, like a textbook. Except that unlike textbooks, a Cognitive Tutor knows when a student doesn't understand the material, and can provide real-time feedback.

The article also mentions the Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center, a partnership with the University of Pittsburgh to sponsor research into how people learn, and develop innovative technologies and teaching methods to improve student achievement. 

Jonathan Potts