R & D History

1975 - 1983, Inter University Department of Innovative Methods and Tools for Education, Moscow, Russia

Under the roof of Inter University Department of Innovative Methods and Tools for Education worked with the best Russian scientists and practitioners in CBT field developing and teaching CBT technologies and researching in the field of computer-based Cognitive Diagnostics. Studied pedagogical and psychological approaches in Cognitive Diagnostics, technical and medical Diagnostics, Pattern Recognition, their mathematical tools and methods. In this interdisciplinary research, Vladimir was supervised by full professor Ivan Tikhonov (famous for his pioneering work in the programmed instruction) in pedagogical aspects and by full professor Mikhail Zotov (distinguished scientist in Control Theory) in cybernetic aspects. Investigated different methods of representation and processing of uncertain pedagogical  knowledge/data measured in different scales. Studied models and methods of human experts' assessment and experts knowledge elicitation in parallel with a study of algebras of correct  representation and processing of elicited assessments. He was the first who proposed fuzzy networks for learner modeling in knowledge/skills diagnosing tasks. Developed mathematical methods for a correct inference of learner's knowledge/skills assessment in different scales. Developed algorithms, software systems, and applications for a learner knowledge/skills adaptive testing, diagnosing, and remediation. Based on his research Vladimir got 2 patents and published a number of papers and broshures.

1983 - 1990, Scientific Technical Center for Systems Modeling, Moscow, Russia

Supervised by distinguished professor of Cybernetics Constantine Pupkov (famous cybernetician) researched in the field of mathematical modeling man-machine systems and their human components for implementation in aeronautical training simulators. Studied modeling and assessment of operator's goal-oriented activity in unpredictable environment. Developed mathematical models, methods and simulator-based systems for assessment of human operator's performance, knowledge, and skills, for adaptive diagnosing, and remediation of operator fault causes. In Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Vladimir defended his PhD thesis on a theme "Automation of Cognitive Diagnosing in Adaptive CBT: Theory and Applications". Got one more patent, published a number of papers.

1990 - 1997, Moscow Engineering & Physics Institute, Moscow, Russia

Worked with interdisciplinary team of great psychologists, educators, instructors, analysts, subject matter experts, and software engineers developing integrated CBT solutions, simulators, tools, and applications for Nucler Power Plant personnel training. Specialized in development of dynamically adaptive Testing, Diagnosing and cost-effective Intelligent Tutoring Systems.  Developed learner models, mathematical methods, algorithms, and software prototypes of a generic model-based suite for easy design, release and delivery of cost-effective intelligent CBT. Designed a pioneering solution of "Intelligent Tutor" suite for intelligent CBT design and development. Realized this solution with the programming group developing the first DOS version of his "Intelligent Tutor" that has been used for intelligent CBT design in variety of different domains, presented on many international conferences and exhibitions.
Leading a programming group he developed the Windows version of his "Intelligent Tutor" suite comprised of generic shell, learner model, authoring tool, and applications design wizards. Developed and implemented 5 full-scale ITS courses for 2 nuclear power plants by leading subject matter experts.
As a Principal Investigator conducted an interdisciplinary research to enhance psychological aspects of model-based intelligent training systems.

1997 - 2004, LNK Corporation, Riverdale, MD, U.S.A.

Working with professor emeritus of Computer Science Dr. Laveen Kanal (famous in Artificial Intelligence and Pattern Recognition) researched in the field of Intelligent Tutoring Systems for NAVY. Investigated possibility to implement case-based learning and neural networks for model-based ITS self-improvement and further automation of CBT/WBT authoring.  Developed an advanced version of his intelligent tutoring Engine and authoring Wizard for easy design of quality CBT/WBT in different domains, for different categories of learners, and training paradigms. His authoring Wizard directs authors in sophisticated authoring process simplified by its decomposition into number of simple steps to fill in generic courseware framework with only specific data. His intelligent tutoring Engine is based on multi-aspect multi-modal fuzzy learner model, generic methods of goal-oriented dual control over learning activity including adaptive presentation, testing, and diagnosing modes. Being filled in by an author and customized by an instructor or even learner it automatically generates the best possible sequence of available interactive multimedia frames for a full set of instructional modes (pre-test, instruction, presentation, practice, testing, remediation, diagnosing, and post-test). Automatically generated sequences are learning goal oriented and tailored to current assessment of the learner model representing current knowledge, skills, learning styles, and preferences of the individual learner.
By leading a programmer group developed 3 software packages (DAMSeL). The first one is integrated with Quest5, commercial CBT authoring tool and player. The second web-oriented version uses standard browser interface. The third one is a web-based version extended with a  mini Learning Management System.
Using these tools developed 25 units of "Maintenance & Troubleshooting" course for US NAVY as well as a number of other demo-courses for potencial customers implementing interactive multimedia, HTML and VRML content.

As a visiting researcher at Computer Science Department of University of Maryland designed a visual authoring tool and worked on implementation of his authoring tool and engine within WebCT authoring and delivery platform.

2004 - 2005, Greenbelt, MD, U.S.A.

As an Independent Researcher worked on problems of Dynamic Adaptive Sequencing and Navigation of learning activities/resources within e-learning units . This work was specifically focused on intelligent extention of existing Learning Technology Standards, SCORM particularly. Developed "Unified Generator of Intelligent Tutoring", solely authored and applied for corresponding US patent. Then developed a number of the patent extentions and new applications. Presented these results on "Training for Tomorrow: Intelligent, Adaptive, Collaborative" NASA conference, Houston TX, 2004.

2005 - 2008, Charlotesville, VA, U.S.A.

As a co-Principal Investigator of “Achieving Competence Today” project prepared a technical part of corresponding winning proposal. Proposed his unified frameworks for a job/task analysis and revealing required competencies, for competence-oriented organization of curriculum, easy authoring, content quality evaluation and debugging. In cooperation with software engineers and subject mater experts developed, tested and debugged a first-in-the-class Competence-Based Curriculum Design Tool. Provided guidance and leadership in the analysis of organizational and professional activities, design and development of curriculum.

As an Instructional Designer designed and developed uniform courseware frameworks and templates for rapid design of online courses. In collaboration with faculty developed 8 elearning courses in Practice of Medicine, which now are used by thousands of students worldwide. Tested, reviewed and evaluated multiple elearning courses developed by faculty members. Kept abreast, conducted analysis and recommended emerging educational technologies (Including LMS: Blackboard, Sakai, Moodle), provided instructional support for subject matter experts, taught faculty on new educational technologies.

Participated in learning technology standard SCORM development. Found about 40 SCORM issues and on the last ADL Summit 2007 made a panel presentation on how to fix the issues by refining a SCORM.

As a member of Competence Group of Medbiquitous Consortium worked on Medical Educational Technology Standards. Proposed his analysis tools and unified frameworks for XML modeling of competencies in Healthcare industry.

2008 – Present, Charlottesville VA.

Consultant for NIH project “Genetic/Genomic Resource Tool for Healthcare Professional Education”. Co-Principal Investigator for RWJF project “Achieving Competence Today”. Principal Investigator of a Domain-Independent Intelligent Tutoring Suite project of the Screen Mentor.

Provided guidance and leadership in analysis of healthcare organizational, professional and learning activities. Developed the innovative Tool for systematic analysis of organizational and professional activities, and revealing required professional competencies. Developed the Curriculum Design Tool for specifying competence-based learning objectives, collecting related learning activities, resources and assessments. Integrated both tools to support systematic analysis, specification, planning and optimization of a complex mix of organizational, professional and learning activities within an enterprise, educational institution or program to better achieve learning objectives, professional competencies and organizational goals.

Participates at the international federation “Learning-Education-Training Systems Interoperability” (LETSI) Federation dedicated to improving individual and organizational learning and performance. Proposed an essential improvement of existing learning technology standard SCORM in his white papers “Competence Portability: Constructive Models” and “Content Aggregation Model and Recursive Manifest for SCORM 2.0” published at LETSI website.

During all these researches he studied generic interdisciplinary sciences (such as Semiotics, Communication Theory, Systems Analysis, Systems Theory, Operation Researches, Control Theory, Artificial Intelligence, Pattern Recognition, Test Theory, General Diagnostics, Knowledge Engineering, and so on) trying to understand and implement their philosophy, formal models and methods in his cost-effective intelligent tutoring systems design.

P.S. The father of Fuzzy Logic Lotfi Zadeh blessed him .