An ambitious and innovative project seeks to enhance learning through the use of artificial intelligence. The new Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) has emerged within the framework of the Directorate of Educational Innovation and allows for support for students and teachers during their final projects.

Led by Agostina Arbia, the STI project was developed in conjunction with professors and students from different academic units of the Universidad AustralIn this case, the application of the smart tutor Its objective is to guide the development of students' integrative projects. 

The challenge? Incorporating artificial intelligence tools to enhance learning. For teachers, learning involves developing critical thinking, building their own tools, understanding the usefulness of knowledge, and being able to thoughtfully engage with academic, professional, and social realities. In this sense, AI emerges as a disruptive force in education, bringing many new possibilities, but also challenges.

Currently, the Faculty of Engineering has developed four pilot projects for Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS). In this first stage, it is being used in the Operations Engineering course, a third-year Industrial Engineering program. The professors who teach the course, Juan Cruz Ravera, Alejandro Sureda, and Agostina Arbia, are pioneers in testing the tool.

What does it offer to students? 

The system's design was structured around Stanford's Design Thinking phases and developed collaboratively with a technical team. Its key differentiator is that it allows students to receive real-time feedback, with seamless interaction and constant updates.

• Four-level progression rubrics were developed in workshops with teachers to translate the evaluation criteria into clear and observable indicators. 

• The prototypes incorporate the instructions, requirements, and specific bibliography of the subject. 

What does it offer to teachers? 

The tool also enables teacher monitoring so they can make informed pedagogical decisions. The information it gathers about student inquiries is invaluable for reviewing concepts that haven't been fully understood or addressing common student questions, for example.

All of this allows for the enhancement of teaching: the teaching work is not replaced, but rather the possibilities for support are expanded.  

Next steps: experimental stage and transparency 

This initial testing with students includes an informed consent form developed in conjunction with the Data department, which details the purpose of the pilot and the use of the information. The goal is to gather direct evidence, identify opportunities for improvement, and continue refining the system before expanding its use to new implementations within the faculty.