Constraint-based student modeling-a simpler way of revising student errors

An intelligent multimedia tutoring system (IMTS) is under development to support a university course on data structures in C. The IMTS is written in Java and can rest on a parent canvas either designed specifically for it or based on a proprietary standard like a web browser or standalone application. It supports algorithms on linked lists, queues, stacks and binary search trees. The user interface is interactive with students manipulating the nodes of on-screen data structures in order to further their understanding or, in tutorial mode, to solve exercises set by the IMTS. The IMTS will respond to exercises with feedback and suggestions for further study. This paper describes our implementation of Ohlsson's (1992) constrained-based student modeling.