"TALK WITH THE EXPERTS": LEARNING MANAGEMENT DECISION-MAKING USING CAI

This paper describes the development and use of "Talk With the Experts," a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) tool for assisting learning management decision-making. Utilizing expert knowledge-based systems (EKBS), a user consults with computerized "experts" by answering a series of questions asked by the EKBS about his her specific situation (for example, judging the appropriateness of a franchise offering for the user). The system, using decision rules and computer logic, not only makes recommendations about a user's management decision problem situation, but also explains the reasoning processes leading to those recommendations. "Talk With the Experts" extends prior research in the CAI field in small but significant ways: it has incorporated advanced computer technologies into CAI tools and has developed applications to management decision-making learning.