AN ECOLOGICAL APPROACH TO THE ONLINE ASSESSMENT OF PROBLEM-SOLVING PATHS - PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS

In this paper, we propose a theoretical framework for designing on-lin e situated assessment tools for multimedia instructional systems. Base d on an ecological psychology approach to situated learning, a graph t heoretic methodology is applied to monitor students' performance (solu tion paths) throughout the learning activity. Deviation of the student 's path from the target (expert) path generates indicators which can f unction as alerts to the student and to the instructor. The informatio n collected in the dribble files and presented visually enables the in structor to identify problems quickly and intervene appropriately. The feasibility of the methodology is explored in case studies describing three instructional systems that teach (1) critical thinking and prob lem-solving skills, (2) principles of hemodynamic monitoring and treat ment, and (3) orthodontic treatment, respectively.