Assessment in a Cognitive Apprenticeship Based Learning Environment - Potential and Pitfalls

The Cognitive Apprenticeship-Based Learning Environments (CABLE) approach to designing tutoring systems is very popular, especially within the applied domains where learning is more concerned with the operational knowledge. Since CABLE can accommodate both the 'instruction' and 'construction' of knowledge and involves active engagement it has been more successful as demonstrated by the popularity and wide acceptance of simulation-based tutoring systems. A CABLE-based Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) provides powerful learning and assessment opportunities, however, merely tagging assessment functionality on to a system designed for teaching may be unsatisfactory. The assessment system needs to be considered separately.

Though the use of information and communication technology for assessment has come a long way, there are even more exciting possibilities ahead, provided we are cognizant of the possible pitfalls arising from the manner in which the technology is applied.