A new method for studying problem solving and tool use in stingrays (Potamotrygon castexi)

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Kuba ◽  
Ruth A. Byrne ◽  
Gordon M. Burghardt
Keyword(s):  
Tool Use ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don Tustin

AbstractFunctional analysis is used to identify potential reinforcers by generating hypotheses about possible functions of a behaviour. Current methods of functional analysis emphasise observations of events, especially consequences, that occur in the immediate environment of the behaviour. While these methods are well suited for assessing behaviour that is reinforced frequently, they are less appropriate for assessing behaviour that is reinforced only intermittently. A new method for conducting functional analysis is presented that is designed to assess intermittently reinforced behaviour. The new method is illustrated using data that were gathered from an extension of a standard problem-solving format. Data are interpreted using the principle of revealed preference that arose from behavioural economics. The revealed preference method is illustrated using information provided by a client with a dependent personality disorder.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lakshmi Nair ◽  
Sonia Chernova

Robots in the real world should be able to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Particularly in the context of tool use, robots may not have access to the tools they need for completing a task. In this paper, we focus on the problem of tool construction in the context of task planning. We seek to enable robots to construct replacements for missing tools using available objects, in order to complete the given task. We introduce the Feature Guided Search (FGS) algorithm that enables the application of existing heuristic search approaches in the context of task planning, to perform tool construction efficiently. FGS accounts for physical attributes of objects (e.g., shape, material) during the search for a valid task plan. Our results demonstrate that FGS significantly reduces the search effort over standard heuristic search approaches by ≈93% for tool construction.


Author(s):  
Dawndra Meers-Scott ◽  
LesLee Taylor ◽  
John Pelley

Critical thinking cannot be fully developed without involvement in collaborative learning activities that elicit problem solving dialogue. Concept maps are effective tools for dialogue because they require decisions about the organization of and the relationships between facts and concepts. This active decision making process develops both long term memory and the ability to apply that knowledge. The authors describe a new method for incorporating scored concept maps into an established collaborative learning method, Team-Based Learning, as a way to improve the effectiveness of individual preparation and for enhancing the problem solving dialogue during group activities. Their new method, Team-Based Concept Mapping, has advantages for students with different personality types and with different backgrounds because it provides greater clarity and precision in the group dialogue. The effect of concept mapping on the interaction between different personality types is discussed and suggestions for future studies to develop this method are offered.


Author(s):  
Houda Tadjer ◽  
Yacine Lafifi ◽  
Hassina Seridi-Bouchelaghem

Problem-based learning (PBL) is an approach that improves students' skills in problem solving. The application of PBL as an approach of teaching in a class requires students' presence; such constraint cannot be fulfilled by all students. Therefore, it is important to avoid this problem by implementing an online PBL environment where students are grouped remotely and work together to solve a problem proposed by the teacher. This will guide the learning process of the learners and can evaluate their solution. In reality, we can find members who do not really contribute to solve a problem. From this point of view, the teacher's evaluation will not be adequate to estimate the contribution of the learner in the solution of a given problem. Therefore, it is important to think of another way for assessing learners' solution. So, the challenge is to implement an online PBL environment and to propose a new method for assessing students. In this paper, the authors present their system called Problearn. The developed system allows students to solve problems remotely in small groups. Furthermore, the system evaluates each student based on his behavioral profiles during the problem-solving process. To do so, the system must keep track of different actions carried out by the students. This system has been tested by students of a computer science department where they achieved very good results.


1998 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 581-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg Goldenberg ◽  
Sonja Hagmann

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