Initialising a cognitive user model of memory within a mobile game Konstantinos Manos, Maria Virvou Department of Informatics University of Piraeus

What we have… A user model that encapsulates information on how to measure one’s memory retention capabilities An ITS (with a Virtual Game as a front- end) that uses this model to simulate the student’s memory retention capabilities

What we need… The user model is based on an enhanced version of Ebbinghaus’ mathematical model. This model needs some initialisation variables that are user specific. E.g.: –Individual Memorisation Ability (MA) –Base Retention Percentage (BRP)

What we did… With the use of a “Memory Test” game, the initialisation data for the User Model are gathered and fed to the ITS. Student (User) ITS User Model Database Initialisation Application “Memory Game”

Memory Game The game used was the “Two-of-a-kind” The user gradually flips images trying to match them into pairs by remembering their positions. It is quick and easy. It is already known to the public. It provides data on the usage of the student’s short term memory

Data Mining… While the student plays the game EVERY action is recorded along with a timestamp After the game has ended the data acquired can be used to replay the whole session without the student The mathematical model depends on the time(s) the student sees an image and the time he uses it

Calculations With the use of these data the application tries to find the values of the various factors of the Ebbinghaus’ Model (BRP, MA, etc ) so that, if the model was used then the application could “guess” whether the student remembers the position of an image, even without him flipping it.

Evaluation Tests indicated that the pairs matched near the end of the game do NOT provide reliable information, along with the wrong choices at the beginning. After the first time, the application already has a model for the student and uses the new data to fine tune it.