Singular Action, Complex Cognition: An Intelligent Tutoring System in Riichi Mahjong

This paper investigates the application of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) in facilitating the acquisition of complex cognitive skills within the context of Riichi Mahjong. Riichi Mahjong, also known as Japanese Mahjong, is a domain where singular actions are the result of complex cognitive processes. Utilizing Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA), we have constructed an expert cognitive model and developed an ITS that breaks down these actions into subgoals and subsequently into Knowledge Components (KCs). A pilot observational study provided preliminary evidence of the ITS’s effectiveness in improving skill acquisition. By analyzing learning curves with DataShop and applying the Multi-method Approach to Data-Driven Redesign (MADDRED), we present the proposed ITS redesign to address over-practice. Our future research agenda is to conduct a randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of the original versus the redesigned ITS. This study contributes to the broader discourse on the efficacy of ITS in teaching skills where complex cognition manifests in singular actions, paving the way for future advancements in intelligent tutoring across various domains.