Adaptive Learning Systems: A Model for Business Entrepreneurs to Implement IT

Abstract

Adaptive Learning Systems [ALS] have garnered tremendous attention in recent years from academia, practitioners and trade press [Jennings et al. 1998; Nwana 1996]. The numerous agent conferences and World Wide Web agent sites developed lately evidence this prevailing trend [Murch 1999; http://www.agentlink.com]. ALS are part of the agent paradigm 'invading' the research world that provides new ways of analyzing, designing and implementing complex software systems [Jennings et al. 1998]. Although varied in description, these systems are characterized by behaviors that are adaptable (by selfautomation of actions) and flexible (by learning the user's preferences, styles, and cognitive levels thereby offering proactive forms of interaction/support). ALS are usercentered, and have the potential to revolutionize the way users interact with computers, overcoming many of the limitations of current systems. A review of the literature indicates that researchers have been complaining about the lack of these systems' use as practical tools for real world problems [Bradshaw 1997; Hook 1996; Jennings et al. 1998; Maes 1994; Nwana 1996]. This dissertation agrees with these researchers and identifies a domain that can significantly benefit from this technology.