Inquiry skills tutoring system

A system, comprising:

• a processing module configured to define one or more measurable science inquiry skills forming general science inquiry skills;
• a computing module configured to perform at least one of measurement and tracking, in real-time, of the one or more science inquiry skills of a subject person and to use at least one of an assessment model and a tracking model programmed to infer science inquiry skill demonstration from interactive engagement by the subject person with an environment comprised of at least one of a simulation and a microworld;
• a user interface module configured to provide to the subject person real-time feedback through the environment, the real-time feedback being based on the at least one of the assessment model and the tracking model;
• and
• the user interface module further configured to provide guidance to the subject person on how to better conduct scientific inquiry.

A computer program product providing a tutoring agent comprising:

• a non-transitory computer useable medium having a computer readable program;
• wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:
• define one or more measurable science inquiry skills;
• measure the one or more science inquiry skills of a subject person, the measuring being in real-time and using at least one of an assessment model and a tracking model programmed to infer science inquiry skill demonstration from interactive engagement by the subject person with an environment comprised of at least one of a simulation and a microworld;
• provide to the subject person real-time feedback through the environment, the real-time feedback being based on the at least one of the assessment model and the tracking model;
• and
• provide to the subject person guidance on how to better conduct scientific inquiry.