Self-instructive spreadsheets: an environment for automatic knowledge acquisition and tutor generation

Typically, spreadsheet applications are difficult to use for casual users (different from developers), mainly because of lack of support. In fact, building a tutoring facility for such applications is a time-consuming task. Our aim is the realization of a tool for the automatic generation of Intelligent Tutors for conventional spreadsheet applications. We have developed a system that works in two steps. In the first one, it extracts an explicit representation of the problem-solving pattern coded in a programmed spreadsheet. In the second step, it generates a hypertextual guide and an interactive tutor that can effectively support, in the native environment, the casual user of the spreadsheet with the specific application it is designed for. We have successfully tested our system on a class of students using an application for budget analysis. (C) 2000 Academic Press.