NTUs: An Intelligent Tutorial System Fosters Number Concepts through Computational Scaffolding

The present article describes how scaffolding is implemented in an intelligent tutorial system call NTUs (Number Transcoding tUtorial System), and what are the results of the system tested empirically on a group of grade students in fostering their number concepts. To use NTUs. the system first analyzes a user's errors on a number transcoding task, and the results of analysis are used to infer the user's zone of proximal development (ZPD). A scaffolding process which was designed with inspiration from how people learn Chinese calligraphy will be provided next in the user's ZPD. Empirical test indicates that NTUs can not only foster students' number concepts but also attract them to use it.