INTELLIGENT TUTORING SYSTEM: UTILIZING USER PROFILING IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS COURSES

Abstract

Introduction: In higher education, institutions, and faculty members confront mounting pressures to deliver quality teaching and learning experiences while contending with limited resources. A pivotal challenge in this situation is the academic preparedness of students, often cited as a primary contributor to low academic performance. To address this challenge, tutorials are evolving to meet the diverse needs of students, particularly those entering higher education with varying levels of academic readiness.

User profiling, an innovative tool within ITS, collects and analyses learner characteristics to tailor learning content, strategies, and interactions. In the specialized domain of regulatory affairs, where a comprehensive understanding of various domains is essential, integrating an ITS with user profiling capabilities offers a promising avenue to enhance the learning experience. This study aims to develop and evaluate an ITS-based tutorial specifically designed for postgraduate students specializing in regulatory affairs.

Methodology:

This study involved creating distinct modules tailored for the architecture of an ITS, with a focus on the drug product life cycle. Utilizing an Initial Teaching System (ITS) tool, a conceptual map assessed students' prior knowledge, facilitating the identification of slow and fast learners. A supplementary tutorial, comprising student and expert knowledge modules, was developed based on student feedback. After an 8-week tutorial phase, student feedback was gathered via questionnaires and interviews, revealing insights into the acceptance and usability of the ITS among PG Regulatory Affairs students.

Result and conclusion:

The focus group interviews revealed that the ITS offers flexibility for learning anytime, anywhere, enables material review, and fosters an effective learning environment.