Title: Growing interest-oriented learning communities for mobile-learners

Authors: Fan Yang, Ruimin Shen, Peng Han, Ren Tong, Zuwei Hu, Xia Wang

Addresses: Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, F.6 HaoRan High-Tech Building, No.1954, HuaShan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China. ' Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, F.6 HaoRan High-Tech Building, No.1954, HuaShan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China. ' Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, F.6 HaoRan High-Tech Building, No.1954, HuaShan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China. ' Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, F.6 HaoRan High-Tech Building, No.1954, HuaShan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China. ' Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, F.6 HaoRan High-Tech Building, No.1954, HuaShan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China. ' Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, FernUniversitat, Philipp-Reis-Gebaude (PRG), Universitatsstr. 27, Hagen D-58084, Germany

Abstract: How to increase the learning efficiency in m-learning is becoming more and more important. Thus, there is an urgent need to find an effective way to cluster m-learners based on dynamic learning behaviours and provide suitable personalised recommendation based on group learners. This paper reports on an attempt to construct a flexible and effective self-organisation system that groups similar m-learners according to their interests and dynamic learning behaviours. We use a multi-agent mechanism to manage and organise m-learners. Furthermore, we present effective award and exchange algorithms, so eventually m-learners with similar interests can be clustered into the same community. Experiments have shown that this mechanism can organise m-learners properly, and has sustainably improved speed and efficiency.

Keywords: m-learning; self-organisation; learning community; multi-agent systems; agent-based systems; mobile learning; dynamic learning behaviours; mobile devices; e-learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2004.005730

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2004 Vol.14 No.4/5, pp.422 - 434

Published online: 28 Nov 2004 *

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