Automated System for Checking Works with Free Response Using Intelligent Tutor’s Comment Analysis in Engineering Education

Students of engineering specialties preparation requires the use of a large number of laboratory works, practical works, calculated-and-graphic works and term papers in educational process. In general, the results of implementation of these works are presented in the form of free response and cannot be automatically checked by comparison with model answer defined by a tutor. Difficulties, arising during checking student works in the conditions of online learning, present a major problem. The problem is compounded by the fact that tutors must provide detailed responses about works, which includes comments, relating to errors made by students. It is suggested to apply intelligent technologies with the use of checking systems, which analyse the content of student works, in existing papers. However, the software is specific and has very limited applicability, especially in the field of engineering education, because student works contain a large quantity of illustrative material in addition to the text. A method for checking student works with free response using intelligent tutor’s comment analysis and automated checking system based on the method are proposed in the paper. The use of the system allows to facilitate and accelerate the work of tutor during preparing reviews about student works with free response, which is relevant for engineering education. The results of the system approbation during checking calculated-and-graphic works in Ufa State Aviation Technical University are presented in the paper.