Learning with a computer-based advisor

The subject of this paper is the design of a computer-based educational advisory system called LOLA (Leeds On-Line Advisor). Implemented in SMALLTALK-80, LOLA attempts to address some of the problems which arise when students are required to manage their own learning, a decision-making process of importance particularly in tertiary education. LOLA demonstrates how Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques can be incorporated in the design of instructional systems. LOLA provides advice to students about what to study, how and when to study topics. The work was supervised by J.R. Hartley and benefited from many helpful discussions with K. Tait and Professor N. Sheehy.