Assisted Learning Virtual Support (ALVS) for postgraduate students, through the Graduate Virtual Research Environment (GVRE)

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a new virtual support to assist postgraduates through the Graduate Virtual Research Environment (GVRE). The virtual support will provide a 24 hour answering servicing for postgraduate students relating to their PhD journeys, for example, advice needed regarding “what is needed for your first 6 month Upgrade report”. The assisted learning mechanism found within the GVRE will use a rule base to retrieve not just text based answers but it will also search through a repository of videos (280) and relate them to the frequently asked question. This approach of blending videos to the student questions should enhance and accelerate the process of skill acquisition through critical thinking through guidance, hints and feedback.