Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS)
Quick Answer
An intelligent tutoring system (ITS) is a computer-based instructional system that adapts to an individual learner by maintaining an explicit domain model, a learner model of current mastery, and a pedagogical policy that selects the next hint, problem, or feedback. Classic ITSs operate at the step level rather than only grading final answers, and named exemplars include Cognitive Tutor, ASSISTments, AutoTutor, Andes, and ALEKS.
Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS)
An intelligent tutoring system (ITS) is a computer-based instructional system that diagnoses a learner's current state and adapts the next instructional move accordingly. Architecturally, an ITS comprises a domain model (skills, knowledge components, common misconceptions), a learner model that estimates per-skill mastery, a pedagogical policy that selects the next hint, problem, or feedback, and a dialogue or interface layer through which the loop runs. The defining property, per VanLehn (2011), is step-based adaptivity: an ITS evaluates intermediate steps in a solution rather than only the final answer.
This step-level discipline is what distinguishes an ITS from a generic LLM tutor. Reviews of classic ITSs (VanLehn, 2011; Kulik & Fletcher, 2016) report large learning gains over conventional instruction, and the strongest generative tutors today inherit ITS structure — explicit domain model, controlled pedagogical policy, and a learner model the system can act on — rather than discard it.
See also
- Generative AI tutors and personalized adaptive learning systems — the paper situating generative tutors as the next branch of the ITS lineage.