An Ai Repository As A Course Development Resource

Abstract

Abstract NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract ---- Session 2220 An AI Repository as a Course Development Resource Ingrid Russell, Bill Manaris University of Hartford/University of Southwestern Louisiana ABSTRACT This paper presents preliminary results on an on-going project with AAAI (American Association of Artificial Intelligence) to develop a repository of pedagogic resources for the Introduction to Artificial Intelligence course. This repository is intended to assist educators by providing a variety of resources that may be utilized in the classroom to facilitate learning of various aspects and topics in Artificial Intelligence (AI). These resources include syllabi, sample programming assignments, sample written assignments, on-line tutorials on specific AI topics, papers related to AI pedagogy, AI tools and environments, and source code included in popular AI textbooks. This paper also discusses how these resources may be used by AI educators to develop course materials for the Introduction to AI course. 1. INTRODUCTION Artificial Intelligence is moving rapidly toward the mainstream in the field of computer science3. The growth of AI theory and application has contributed to its recognition as a key area of study. AI is now becoming an integral part of the undergraduate curriculum and its coverage there has begun to be addressed. In the past few years, coverage of AI topics in the CS curriculum has been addressed numerous times. For instance, the ACM/lEEE-CS Curricula 1991 makes specific recommendations regarding coverage of AI topics in the curriculum ‘ 2. Additionally, a number of papers have appeared discussing the various topics and concepts 1 to be included in undergraduate introductory AI courses and providing pointers to related resources 1’ * . Final] y, several papers have identified various delive~ methods of presenting such material, ranging from preparing a three-credit course in AI to spreading the material over a number of courses in the curriculum 2>6>11. However, due to its broad range of coverage, AI is a difficult course to teach. This paper presents preliminary results on an on-going project with A&U (American Association of Artificial Intelligence) to develop an AI Educational Repository intended to assist educators teaching the undergraduate Introduction to AI course. The project was announced by the president of AAM at the AAAI Fall symposium held in New Orleans in November 1994, a symposium motivated by concerns voiced by Al educators regarding difficulties associated w-ith teaching this course. This paper presents a brief overview of the repository with some sample sections and concentrates on its structure and how it can effectively be used as a tool in facilitating the process of course creation and curriculum development by AI educators. .- . - fhiii’ ‘O,,,pw } 1996 ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings ,, W-,..’.