Computer‐Aided Self Assessment: The Intelligent Answer?

Abstract

As an antecedent of the Training Agency's AI Applications to Learning programme, a computer‐assisted self assessment system was developed to explore the use of artificial intelligence techniques in the area of self assessment. There have been four phases involved in this work. First, a pilot project prototype was developed using three occupational areas: retail, food processing and manufacturing. This phase allowed the Training Agency (though the project team) to evaluate the use of expert systems technology for self assessment. During the second phase of the project the knowledge base was extended to incorporate clerical, administration and craft engineering. In phase three a discrete system was developed for clerical and business administration, with the inclusion of existing qualifications in these areas. The final version, at present being piloted in Employment Training (ET), has been titled the AsSyst system. This system has four major components: a user preference section; a job allocation procedure (which can be altered by the user); based on job choice, a user competence questioning facility; and finally a printout containing the user training protocol.