Comments and reflections on ITS and STEM education and training

This article provides brief comments and reflections on Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) and their use in providing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education and training as described in the four articles prepared for this special issue concerning the ONR (Office of Naval Research) STEM Grand Challenge. General points raised include the need for individualization in education and training and the need for STEM instruction in all sectors of the economy, especially the extensive education and training requirements of national defense. Other comments concern the role of ITS as an instructional approach in providing STEM education and training in general and in comparison with other computer-assisted approaches. Additionally, they discuss the establishment of STEM objectives and standards for ITS, with its promise to accelerate acquisition of technical expertise, and the use of mixed initiative, natural language dialogue to provide tutorial direction, advice, and hints.