Expert System

The Mentor gives advice based on the firing of rules in an expert system. These rules represent a mental model of expert knowledge and help the trainee to learn expert skills

Rules

The Mentor functions by having the knowledge of an expert process control operator encapsulated in 'if-then' rules. For example, if a condition exists where an alarm is about to go off, the user is given prompting based on the expert rules to correct the situation with the appropriate actions. These rules generate advice and feedback in the job oriented simulation system and the preliminary training module.

Purpose

The mentor feedback is based on these rules to impart cognitive skills effectively and efficiently. The multiple conditions that can occur in a running simulation are monitored by the expert rules and valuable feedback is provided in a timely and relevant fashion. The use of these rules is also designed to develop an abstract understanding of the problem-solving process so the knowledge can be utilised across different training jobs and tasks.

Promoting Development of Expertise

The benefit of having an expert system is that expert knowledge is provided in the most efficient way for the trainee to learn. When trainees assimilate these expert rules they can then apply them across varying process conditions as expert knowledge.