Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand. – Chinese proverb about education
The website of the AAAI (Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence) describes itself as a “scientific society devoted to advancing the scientific understanding of the mechanisms underlying thought and intelligent behavior and their embodiment in machines.” One of the primary research areas identified by the AAAI is intelligent Learning Systems (sometimes referred to as Intelligent Tutoring Systems), no other area more fundamentally highlights the cognitive interaction of man and machine than this research area.
There is widespread recognition worldwide that adaptive learning systems will play an increasing role in education and training, both within the education sector, and also in the corporate world. Economic difficulties around the globe are having an effect on the future of education. Costs (financial, time and return on investment) associated with traditional classroom based education techniques, and poorly integrated educational technology, is now a topic of debate not only for government, but also involving educationalists, employers and even students and parents. Many countries are now evaluating how technology might better serve the learning process and help to develop a knowledge based economy.
