ABSTRACT
The Maintenance Aid Computer for the HAWK-Intelligent Institutional Instructor (MACH-III) intelligent tutoring system (ITS) contains a qualitative radar simulation and an expert troubleshooter that can both demonstrate the correct troubleshooting procedures or monitor, advise, and evaluate the student's performance. The student or instructor can select three different modes that allow the student to: (I) troubleshoot with assistance or not, (2) see and explore how devices contribute to the system function, and (3) see an expert performance. Our ITS provides the functional decomposition that a radar mechanic needs to troubleshoot by providing selectable, multiple views of the system's Functional circuits. These circuits show the testable and untestable components and connections in a physical orientation. Correct device and system models are provided by dynamically showing the power and information signals' paths of influence. One unique aspect of MACH-III is that it decomposes relevant troubleshooting knowledge into a (selectable) functionally organized, hierarchical tree that shows the symptoms, the malfunctions that contribute to those symptoms, and the components that contribute to those malfunctions. Because the ITS is being used as a trainer at Fort Bliss, development has focused on creating a flexible instructional tool, an environment, and a tutor with instructionally relevant features that can be easily selected. The use of these features and the supportive ancillary materials are critical for successful implementation.
