User Modelling in I-Help: What, Why, When and How

This paper describes user modelling in I-Help, a system to facilitate communication amongst learners. There are two I-Help components: Private and Public Discussions. In the Private Discussions learners take part in a one-on-one interaction with a partner (possibly a peer). The Public Discussions are open everyone in the group has access to all discussion forums relevant to that group. The Public Discussions are most suited to discussion of issues where there might be a variety of valid viewpoints, or different solutions to a problem. It is also useful for straightforward questions and answers that have wide-spread applicability. The Private Discussions are better suited for more intensive interactions involving peer tutoring or in-depth discussions. Because there is only one helper in such situations, I-Help requires a method of selecting an appropriate helper for an individual. We describe the user modelling that takes place in each part of I-Help, in particular to effect this matchm...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2001
• Where: UM
• Authors: Susan Bull, Jim E. Greer, Gordon I. McCalla, Lori Kettel, Jeff Bowes
• Keywords: Discussion, Private Discussions, Programming Languages, Public Discussions, UM 2001