Extending an Intelligent Tutoring System for Oral Communication with Peer Assessment Capabilities: An Evaluation Study

The ability to succinctly and effectively communicate complex ideas is increasingly recognized as a critical skill for engineering professionals, defining a realm of ill-defined learning tasks. The elevator pitch, particularly, serves as a prime example of this necessity. This study explores the extension of the EPIC intelligent tutoring system, originally designed to enhance oral communication skills in development and performance of elevator pitches through individual learning, by integrating collaborative capabilities with a focus on peer-assessment. A pilot study with 24 engineering students was conducted to assess the user experience, usability and learning outcomes. Results indicate that students’ experience and usability perceptions are generally positive. Moreover, students who positively rated the peer-assessment functionalities showed marked improvements in their abilities to deliver effective elevator pitches. Pedagogical implications and design criteria aiming to improve students’ valuation of collaborative work are discussed.