An effective lecture/class allocation method based on users' profiles in elective subjects

This paper proposes an effective lecture allocation method based on users' profiles and utilities in elective subjects. In many universities and colleges, elective subjects systems are employed as a curriculum in which students make their own learning experiences. Students select multiple subjects based on their interests and preferences. Generally, each university determines members of elective subjects based on only one simple rule, such as the order of grade, random selection, and first arrival. Current determination systems have strong limitations in terms of reflecting users multiple preferences. We propose a new determination algorithm and a user support system based on users' profiles and multi attribute preferences. When users preferences are not reflected in algorithm-based determination, a coordination agent decides lecture allocation cooperatively with each user's agent. Main advantage of our system is mainly that lectures are allocated effectively, that is reflected users' multiple preferences.

1 Introduction

As computer engineering develops, many systems have been proposed for supporting in education. In this paper, we propose a lecture allocation support system for elective subjects. Our system is a class organization support system to determine allocations of lectures that can be used in universities. In the universities, there are compulsory/required subjects and elective/optional subjects. Students take elective subjects selecting many options prepared by university.