A Learning-Community Recommendation Approach for Web-Based Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning has been defined as learners working together as a team to solve a problem to complete a task or to accomplish a common goal, which emphasizes the importance of interactions among members to promote the whole learning performance. With the popularity of society networks, cooperative learning is no longer limited to traditional classroom teaching activities. Since society networks facilitate to organize online learners, to establish common shared visions, and to advance learning interaction, the online community and online learning community have triggered the establishment of web-based societies. Numerous research literatures have indicated that the collaborative learning community is a critical issue to enhance learning performance. Hence, this paper proposes a learning community recommendation approach to facilitate that a learner joins the appropriate learning communities, which is based on k-nearest neighbor (kNN) classification. To demonstrate the viability of the proposed approach, the proposed approach is implemented for 117 students to recommend learning communities. The experimental results indicate that the proposed approach can effectively recommend appropriate learning communities for learners.





References:
[1] Wang, Q., Design and evaluation of a collaborative learning environment, Computers & Education. 2009, 53(4), pp. 1138-1146. [2] Wang, R., Wang, X. and Kim, M. J., Motivated learning agent model for distributed collaborative systems, Expert Systems with Applications. 2011, 38(2), pp. 1079-1088. [3] Rae, J., Roberts, C. and Taylor, G. Collaborative Learning: A Connected Community Approach, in proceedings of Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology. 2006, 3, Manchester, Englandpp. 519-528. [4] Artz, A. F. and Newman, C. M., Cooperative learning, Mathematics Teacher. 1990, 83, pp. 448-449. [5] Hron, A. and Friedrich, H. F., A review of web-based collaborative learning: factors beyond technology, Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. 2003, 19(1), pp. 70-79. [6] Hernandez-Leo, D., Bote-Lorenzo, M. L., Asensio-Perez, J. I., Gocmez-Sanchez, E., Villasclaras-Fernandez, E. D., Jorrin-Abellan, I. M. and Dimitriadis, Y. A., Free-and Open-Source Software for a Course on Network Management: Authoring and Enactment of Scripts Based on Collaborative Learning Strategies, IEEE Transactions on Education. 2007, 50(4), pp. 292-301. [7] Johnson, D. W., Johnson, R. T. and Smith, K. A., Cooperative Learning: Increasing College Faculty Instructional Productivity. 1991: School of Education and Human Development, George Washington University. [8] Anaya, A. R. and Boticario, J. G., Application of machine learning techniques to analyse student interactions and improve the collaboration process, Expert Systems with Applications. 2011, 38(2), pp. 1171-1181. [9] Ellis, S. S. and Whalen, S. F., Cooperative Learning: Getting Started. 1990: Scholastic New York. [10] Johnson, D. W. and Johnson, F. P., Joining together: group theory and group skills (7th ed.). 2000: Allyn & Bacon, Boston. [11] Wardell, C. S. and Paschetto, G. Small group instruction in real-time over the web, in proceedings of the inter-service industry training simulation and education conference. 2001, Orlando, Florida.pp. [12] Chuang, P.-J., Chiang, M.-C., Yang, C.-S. and Tsai, C.-W., Social Networks-based Adaptive Pairing Strategy for Cooperative Learning, Educational Technology & Society. 2012, 15(3), pp. 226239. [13] Chang, B., Cheng, N.-H., Deng, Y.-C. and Chan, T.-W., Environmental design for a structured network learning society, Computers and Education. 2007, 48(2), pp. 234-249. [14] Brown, J. S. Leveraging technology for learning in the cyber age - opportunities and pitfalls, in proceedings of International conference on computers in education (ICCE 98) (Invited Speaker). 1998, pp. [15] Lipponen, L., Hakkarainen, K. and Paavola, S., Practices and orientations of CSCL. In: J.W. Strijbos, P.A. Kirschner and R.L. Martens (Eds.), What we know about CSCL. 2004, Norwell, MA: Kluwer Academic. 31-50. [16] Barron, B., Achieving coordination in collaborative problem-solving groups, The Journal of the Learning Sciences. 2000, 9(4), pp. 403-436. [17] Chou, C. and Sun, C. T., A Computer-Network- Supported Cooperative Distance Learning System for Technical Communication Education, IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication. 1996, 39(4), pp. 205-214. [18] Neo, M., Developing a collaborative learning environment using a web-based design, Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. 2003, 19(4), pp. 462-473. [19] Lindberg, E. Networked, Problem Based, Collaborative Learning: Building and Sustaining Learning Communities, in proceedings of International Conference On Engineering Education 1999. 1999, Ostrava - Prague, Czech Republicpp. [20] Chen, J. H., Yen, Z. H. and Ho, S. Y., Design of optimal nearest neighbor classifier using an intelligent multi-objective evolutionary algorithm, Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS). 2004, 3157, pp. 262-271. [21] Kuncheva, L. I. and Jain, L. C., Nearest neighbor classifier: Simultaneous editing and feature selection, Pattern Recognition Letters. 1999, 20(11-13), pp. 1149-1156. [22] Chang, C.-K., Refining Collaborative Learning Strategies for Reducing the Technical Requirements of Web-Based Classroom Management, Innovations in Education and Teaching International. 2001, 38(2), pp. 133-143. [23] Yang, F., Wang, M., Shen, R. and Han, P., Community-organizing agent: An artificial intelligent system for building learning communities among large numbers of learners, Computers and Education. 2007, 49(2), pp. 131-147. [24] Rovai, A., Building classroom community at a distance: A case study, Educational Technology Research and Development. 2001, 49(4), pp. 33-48. [25] Preece, J. and Maloney-Krichmar, D., Online Communities: Design, Theory, and Practice, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. 2005, 10(4). [26] Tang, T. and Chan, K. Feature Construction for Student Group Forming Based on Their Browsing Behaviors in an E-learning System in proceedings of PRICAI 2002: Trends in Artificial Intelligence. 2002, 2417, Springer Berlin / Heidelberg, pp. 512-521. [27] Li, J.-W., Chang, Y.-C. and Chiang, M.-L. A GA-Based Approach for Automatic Aggregation of Learning Community for Network Supported Cooperative Learning, in proceedings of The International Conference on Information Society (i-Society 2012). 2012, London, U.K.pp. [28] Mitchell, T., Machine Learning. 1997: McGraw-Hill Companies. [29] Chang, Y. C., Kao, W. Y., Chu, C. P. and Chiu, C. H., A Learning Style Classification Mechanism for E-Learning, Computers & Education. 2009, 53(2), pp. 273-285.