A BDI-based Intelligent Tutoring Module for the e-Learning Platform INES

INES (INtelligent Educational System) is an operative prototype of an e-learning platform, which counts with functionalities of Learning Management Systems, Learning Content Management Systems, and Intelligent Tutoring Systems. To achieve these functionalities, our system includes several tools and technologies, such as: i) semantic management of users and contents; ii) an conversational agent to communicate with students in natural language; iii) BDI-based (Believes, Desires, Intentions) agents, which shape the tutoring module of the system; iv) an inference engine; and v) ontologies, to semantically model the users, their activities, and the learning contents. At the present paper we will address the intelligent tutoring module, and more specifically, its BDI-based agents. Briefly, the tasks of these agents are to recognize each student (checking his/her system credentials) and to obtain information about his/her learning progress. So, it can be able to suggest to each one specific tasks to achieve his/her particular learning objectives. The student himself/herself will decide if he/she accepts these tasks or ask for other ones. These new requested tasks can be delivered or not by the intelligent tutoring module, taking into account its decisions, which are based in several parameters related to the existing learning paths and the student's profile.