"Talk with the experts": Learning management decision-making using CAI

This paper describes the development and use of "Talk With the Experts," a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) tool for assisting learning management decision-making. Utilizing expert knowledge-based systems (EKBS), a user co nsults with computerized "experts" by answering a series of questions asked by the EKBS about his/her specific situation (for example, judging the app ropriateness of a franchise offering for the user). The system, using decis ion rules and computer logic, not only makes recommendations about a user's management decision problem situation, but also explains the reasoning pro cesses leading to those recommendations. "Talk With the Experts" extends pr ior research in the CAI field in small but significant ways: it has incorpo rated advanced computer technologies into CAI tools and has developed appli cations to management decision-making learning.