Lessons in AutoTutor to Help Adults With Reading Comprehension Problems

• In Event: Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: Learning Process and Effects of Technology-Enhanced Learning

Abstract

A web-based intelligent tutoring system (AutoTutor) was designed to deliver comprehension strategy instruction for adults with low reading comprehension (grades 3 to 8). The system includes adaptive conversational trialogues with two conversational agents (tutor and peer) that interact with the adult learner in 35 AutoTutor lessons. This presentation describes the AutoTutor system and summarizes four studies conducted in the Center for the Study of Adult Literacy during the course of system development. These studies included a behavioral assessment of the digital literacy of adult learners, a survey on their access to and use computer technologies, a usability study with adults on a single lesson, and a feasibility study with 52 adults completing AutoTutor lessons in an intervention lasting 4 months.

Authors

• Arthur C. Graesser, The University of Memphis

• Zhiqiang Cai, The University of Memphis

• Whitney Baer

• Andrew Olney, The University of Memphis

• Maureen W. Lovett, The Hospital for Sick Children

• Daphne Greenberg, Georgia State University