Expert System for the Modelling of an Educational Profile for Life-Long Learners

Abstract

An artificial intelligence-based computer modelling software, Soft Counsel, is used to guide candidates who already have prior learning experience of the subject and to optimize their plan for further educational upgrading. Candidates' answers to a survey questionnaire are used by an expert system to generate specific questions relevant to the candidate and her/his educational profile, and to recommend suitable broad areas of upgrading. After the candidate selects an area, the software produces a refined questionnaire, which leads to a list of recommended courses. In a third and final step of refinement, the software queries the candidate about their knowledge of each course and produces a detailed study plan. Once the proposed study plan is accepted by the candidate, Soft Counsel searches educational and training providers in the designated geographical area and provides a list of those that match the study plan.