A Dynamic Mixture Model to Detect Student Motivation and Proficiency

Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence, 21

Volume

Technical Papers

Human Computer Interaction and Cognitive Modeling

Unmotivated students do not reap the full rewards of using a computer-based intelligent tutoring system. Detection of improper behavior is thus an important component of an online student model. To meet this challenge, we present a dynamic mixture model based on Item Response Theory. This model, which simultaneously estimates a student's proficiency and changing motivation level, was tested with data of high school students using a geometry tutoring system. By accounting for student motivation, the dynamic mixture model can more accurately estimate proficiency and the probability of a correct response. The model's generality is an added benefit, making it applicable to many intelligent tutoring systems as well as other domains.