Abstract

Several researchers have indicated that to pose arithmetical word problems is an important way to learn arithmetic. However, learning by problem posing is not popular in the lecture of classroom because it is hard for a teacher to do it. For example, even to judge whether each problem is correct or not, a teacher has to examine each problem. In this paper, we describe an Intelligent Learning Environment which realizes the learning by problem posing. In the learning by problem posing, a learner poses problems through the interface provided by the ILE. The ILE has a function to diagnose the problems posed by the learner. By using the results of the diagnosis, the ILE helps the learner to correct wrong problems, or leads her/him in the next step of problem posing. We evaluated the ILE in an elementary school. The subjects were 4th grade students. We also report the results of the evaluation. In the ILE, the interface was implemented in Java, and the diagnosis module was implemented in Prolog. So it can be used on World Wide Web. The current environment deals with simple arithmetical word problems solved by an addition or a subtraction.