Intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) have potential for making computer-base
d instruction more adaptive and interactive, but development in the area of
manufacturing engineering has been rare. However, recent developments in t
he area of ITS authoring tools may make this technology more accessible. Th
e objectives of this study were to: 1) evaluate the feasibility of faculty
course development using an ITS authoring tool; and 2) evaluate the instruc
tional effectiveness of the developed courseware. An ITS authoring tool cal
led XAIDA was used to develop a tutorial on how to use a computer numerical
control (CNC) machine. This paper summarizes the results of a preliminary
evaluation conducted with 25 undergraduate manufacturing engineering studen
ts. The results suggest that instructional development in XAIDA is feasible
and quick, and that students learned from and enjoyed the tutorial.