GKMARH@IRISHMVS.BITNET (steven horst) (10/23/88)
I am teaching a course on AI for Arts & Letters undergrads this spring semester, and should appreciate suggestions on freeware or inexpensive software that is useful for teaching basic AI concepts and techniques. The course is NOT primarily a PROGRAMMING course, and some students may actually have no progamming background at all. The time allocated for introducing AI techniques, moreover, is limited to a maximum of about 8 sessions, because the course covers philosophical issues and technology and society questions as well. (In other words, teaching LISP or Prolog is pretty much out of the question.) Since concepts like semantic networks, frames and feedback loops and techniques like backward chaining are language-independent, I have some hope that either (a) someone has developed some good educational software for teaching AI concepts and techniques to people who don't use LISP or Prolog, or (b) something on the order of an expert systems shell might be easily adaptable to educational ends. I should appreciate suggestions on good freeware or commercial software that can be bought or licenced at a low price. Applications that run on the Macintosh would be of particular interest, as my university has become highly Mac-oriented. I should also be interested in hearing other people's experiences in trying to put together a broad introduction to AI for undergraduates who are NOT specializing in an area closely related to AI (computer science, cognitive psychology, logic, &c.) Thank you in advance. ***************************************************** * Steven Horst Bitnet: gkmarh@irishmvs * * Department of Philosophy 219-239-7458 * * Notre Dame, IN 46556 * *****************************************************