Toward tutoring systems inspired by applied behavioral analysis

In this paper, we introduce an artificial tutoring systems inspired by Applied Behavioral Analysis, named ABA tutor. Applied Behavioral Analysis is the application branch of analysis of behavior that derives from Behaviorism in psychology and has relevant features that can be transferred in an effective tutoring systems: the techniques of ABA are reproduced in the ABA tutor. Moreover we describe the first implementation of ABA tutor and the application to olfactory learning, as a case-study. In more detail, the ABA tutor has been applied to SNIFF, an integrated software and hardware system conceived to train the sense of smell with a gamified approach, and has been tested on 84 people. Results indicate the effectiveness of ABA tutor in promoting olfactory learning, thus supporting that this tutor can be successfully introduced in learning environments. © Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018.