Computer-assisted knowledge acquisition for hypermedia systems

The usage of procedural and declarative knowledge to set up the structure or 'web' of a hypermedia environment is described. An automated knowledge acquisition tool was developed that helps a knowledge engineer elicit and represent an expert's knowledge involved in performing procedural tasks. The tool represents both procedural and prerequisite, declarative knowledge that supports each activity performed by the expert. This knowledge is output and subsequently read by a hypertext scripting language to generate the link between blank, but labeled cards. Each step of the expert's activity and each piece of supporting declarative knowledge is set up as an empty node. An instructional developer can then enter detailed instructional material concerning each step and declarative knowledge into these empty nodes. Other research is also described that facilitates the translation of knowledge from one form into a form more readily useable by computerized systems.