Dynamic Group Formation in Mobile Computer Supported Collaborative Learning Environment

Sofiane Amara(1,2), Joaquim Macedo(1), Fatima Bendella(2) and Alexandre Santos(1)

(1)Universidade do Minho
Centro Algoritmi
Escola de Engenharia
4710-057 Braga, Portugal
(2)University of Sciences and Technology Mohamed Boudiaf
ORAN, ALGERIA

Tel.: +351 253 604430
Fax.: +351 253 604471
E-mail: {sofiane.amara, bendella} (at) univ-usto.dz, {macedo, alex} (at) di.uminho.pt,


Abstract

Forming suitable learning groups is one of the important factors that determine the efficiency of collaborative learning activities. However, only a few studies were carried out to treat this problem in the mobile learning environments.

In this paper we propose a new approach for an automatic, customized, and dynamic group formation in Mobile Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (MCSCL) contexts. The proposed solution is based on the combination of three types of grouping criteria: learner’s personal profile, learner’s behaviours, and context information. The system gives the instructors a total freedom to select the type, the number, and the weight of grouping criteria. To our best knowledge, such a learning group formation approach was never proposed nor analyzed. This new approach on dynamic group formation represents, apart from a grouping mechanism, also a flexible tool that helps the educationists to control and evaluate each learner, and to manage the learning processes from the beginning to the end of collaborative learning activities.


International Conference on Computer Supported Education (CSEDU 2015), Lisbon, Portugal, 23-25 May, 2015