Competence Analyser: A portable GUI tool for modelling domain and learner knowledge

Abstract

Learner models form the basis of adaptive learning systems, representing what the system knows about a learner. Knowledge about a learner’s expertise within a learning domain plays an essential role when recommending learning objects as well as when supporting a learner’s reflection and awareness. In this paper we present the Competence Analyser tool to construct knowledge structures as a foundation for learner models in accordance with a psychologically sound framework, the Competence based Knowledge Space Theory (CbKST), which supports performance assessment in user-adaptive learning systems. The tool enables the learner to actively influence the learning profile creation by setting learning goals and defining prior knowledge in the context of learning domains. A first prototype has been developed and evaluated within the frame of the EC-funded TARGET project that provides a game-based learning environment with adaptive story recommendation. The paper outlines how to foster awareness and self-regulation while building learner and domain models for adaptive learning systems using a graph-based GUI tool.