%% Created for Salvatore Enrico Indiogine at 2008-04-04 21:03:58 -0500 %% Saved with string encoding Western (ASCII) @article{Steele:1999aa, Abstract = {Many students with learning difficulties have trouble solving mathematical word problems. The authors designed DISCOVER, an intelligent tutoring system, to teach students this task with less failure and frustration. The system, which incorporates a direct teaching model, is comprised of 11 independent computer programs, some using expert systems technology. This article includes a review of literature on word problems instruction, an explanation of intelligent tutoring systems, and a description of DISCOVER. Students of all ability levels often encounter frustration and failure when mathematical word problems are assigned. Research has shown that students with learning problems experience low success rates even with very basic word problems (Parmer, Cauley, & Frazita, 1996). As a result of these failure experiences, it is critical to determine more appropriate methods for teaching word problems (Babbitt & Miller, 1996). Perhaps word problems are difficult because so many skills are required to solve them. Although the task of solving word problems is complex, there are strategies that have been proven effective if used appropriately and practiced systematically. The purpose of this article is to discuss the nature and difficulty of word problem instruction, explain the background of intelligent tutoring systems (ITS), and then to describe an ITS which could be used to help students with learning difficulties experience less stress and frustration when solving word problems. The system uses direct instructional approaches and teaches the skills in a systematic, sequential manner. The authors will also discuss implications for subsequent research and development. }, Author = {Marcee M. Steele and John W. Steele}, Date-Added = {2007-10-11 22:00:38 -0500}, Date-Modified = {2008-03-15 22:24:14 -0500}, Journal = {The Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching}, Keywords = {ITS}, Number = {4}, Pages = {351-359}, Title = {DISCOVER: An intelligent tutoring system for teaching student with learning difficulties to solve word problems}, Volume = {18}, Year = {1999}}