Knowledge Structures for a Computer-Based Training Aid for Troubleshooting a Complex System

Turbinia-Vyasa is a computer-based instructional system that trains operators to troubleshoot marine power plants. It is implemented on Apple Macintosh II computers. The simulator,Turbinia is based on a hierarchical representation of subsystems, components, and primitives together with necessary physical and logical linkages among them.Vyasa is the computer-based tutor that teaches the troubleshooting task usingTurbinia. The simulator, an interactive, direct manipulation interface, and the tutor (with its expert, student, and instructional modules) comprise the architecture for the instructional system. Details of knowledge organization that supports the functions of the three major elements of the tutoring system are discussed.