Implementing an intelligent tutoring system for adventure learning

The success of intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) has always been questioned. Recent developments however in the object‐oriented technologies and artificial intelligence techniques have allowed development of better human‐computer interaction for effective teaching and learning. This paper presents the implementation of an ITS that employs game environment and object‐oriented user interface (OOUI) for teaching and learning. The reported implementation is based on use of a game environment to impart industrial training for energy conservation in a steam distribution system. The ITS developed allows players to assume a particular role in a process industry and learn efficient operation of steam distribution system for conserving energy in the plant. The design of game environment and supporting OOUI are discussed. Those aspects of design and implementation that are of equal interest to game designers, instructional designers and educationists are described in detail. The paper may assist game developers and instructional designers in developing ITS for other disciplines.