PACA-ITS: A Multi-Agent System for Intelligent Virtual Laboratory Courses

Abstract

This paper describes an intensive design leading to the implementation of an intelligent lab companion (ILC) agent for an intelligent virtual laboratory (IVL) platform. An IVL enables virtual labs (VL) to be used as online research laboratories, thereby facilitating and improving the analytical skills of students using agent technology. A multi-agent system enhances the capability of the learning system and solves students’ problems automatically. To ensure an exhaustive Agent Unified Modeling Language (AUML) design, identification of the agents’ types and responsibilities on well-organized AUML strategies is carried out. This work also traces the design challenge of IVL modeling and the ILC agent functionality of six basic agents: the practical coaching agent (PCA), practical dispatcher agent (PDA), practical interaction and coordination agent (PICA), practical expert agent (PEA), practical knowledge management agent (PKMA), and practical inspection agent (PIA). Furthermore, this modeling technique is compatible with ontology mapping based on an enabling technology using the Java Agent Development Framework (JADE), Cognitive Tutor Authoring Tools (CTAT), and Protégé platform integration. The potential Java Expert System Shell (Jess) programming implements the cognitive model algorithm criteria that are applied to measure progress through the CTAT for C++ programming concept task on IVL and successfully deployed on the TutorShop web server for evaluation. The results are estimated through the learning curve to assess the preceding knowledge, error rate, and performance profiler to engage cognitive Jess agent efficiency as well as practicable and active decisions to improve student learning.

The Laboratory Intelligent Management System Using NB-IoT and Artificial Intelligence Technology

“…However, with the expansion of colleges and universities, the number of labs and lab equipment in colleges and universities is increasing, and due to the limitation of the number of lab positions, the lab managers are unable to manage the labs accurately, and the lab managers cannot grasp the situation of the labs in time, and forget to turn off the electricity and windows, resulting in power waste and equipment damage, which causes the loss of school property and cannot guarantee the normal teaching and research social services of the school and affects the development of the school [11,12]. Based on NB-IoT and AI technology, this paper aims to develop an intelligent laboratory management system.…”

Supervised Learning Algorithm

“…PACA-ITS: A Multi Agent System for Intelligent Virtual Laboratory Courses [8] was an intensive design leading to the implementation of an intelligent lab companion (ILC) agent for an intelligent virtual laboratory (IVL) platform. The IVL enables virtual labs (VL) to be used as online research laboratories, thereby facilitating and improving the analytical skills of students using agent technology.…”

The COVID-19 Global Pandemic: Socio-Cultural, Economic and Educational Implications from Ghana

“…There are many free intelligent tutoring systems such as Gnu Tutor, Auto Tutor, X tutor, Edu Tutor, and others that could be used in carrying out online instruction, especially those that involve practical activities. Virtual science labs, galleries, and physical simulations are made possible on many of these free intelligent tutoring systems (Munawar, Toor, Aslam & Aimeur, 2019). What is required most is how to skilfully and appropriately deploy these online resources to maximize students' learning outcomes.…”