Title: The Design and Control Systemic Methodology (DCSYM): a multi-agent modelling and operation platform

Authors: Nikitas Assimakopoulos, Ioannis Theocharopoulos

Addresses: Department of Informatics, University of Piraeus, 80, Karaoli and Dimitriou St., GR-18534, Piraeus, Greece. ' Department of Informatics, University of Piraeus, 80, Karaoli and Dimitriou St., GR-18534, Piraeus, Greece

Abstract: The DCSYM is a systemic methodology with a robust mathematical and semantic understructure capable of effectively guiding multi-agent dialectic design processes concerning boundary critiques, structures, procedures and interventions. This methodology proposes a high-level design language, which enables effective synchronous and asynchronous multi-agent conversations. The outputs of DCSYM methodology are highly conceivable and comprehensive semantic diagrams with a consistent mathematical description that can be easily manipulated with the use of appropriate software. DCSYM is applied in the creation of the structural and procedural patterns of self-organised autonomous Virtual Communities (VCs) in the Greek secondary education.

Keywords: DCSYM; design and control systemic methodology; virtual learning communities; conversation theory; web based communities; online communities; multi-agent systems; MAS; agent-based systems; semantic diagrams; Greece; secondary education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASS.2009.027659

International Journal of Applied Systemic Studies, 2009 Vol.2 No.3, pp.193 - 217

Published online: 06 Aug 2009 *

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