Abstract
Fostering knowledge exchange among peers is important for learners’ motivation, achievement of learning goals as well as improvement of problem solving competency. Still, the positive effects of such an exchange depend strongly on the suitability of the selected peers in a group.
A comparison of existing algorithmic solutions applicable for E-learning and CSCL scenarios reveals limited support for requirements derived from related work in pedagogical psychology. Therefore, the GroupAL algorithm is proposed. It supports the use of criteria that are either expected to be matched homogeneous or heterogeneous among participants while aiming for equally good group formation for all groups. A normed metric allows for comparison of different group formations and is robust against variations. Finally, the evaluation reveals the advantages and widespread applicability of GroupAL. Compared to existing solutions, it achieves a better group formation quality under the chosen conditions.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Albert, D., Lukas, J.: Knowledge Spaces: Theories, Empirical Research, and Applications. Psychology Press (1999)
Baumert, J., Klieme, E., Neubrand, M., Prenzel, M., Schiefele, U., Schneider, W., Tillmann, K.J., Weiß, M.: Erfassung fächerübergreifender Problemlösekompetenzen in PISA. Tech. rep. OECD PISA Deutschland, Berlin (1999)
Borsch, F.: Kooperatives Lehren und Lernen im schulischen Unterricht, 1st edn. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart (2010)
Cavanaugh, R., Ellis, M.: Automating the Process of Assigning Students to Cooperative-Learning Teams. In: Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (2004)
Christodoulopoulos, C.E., Papanikolaou, K.A.: A Group Formation Tool in an E-Learning Context. In: 19th IEEE International Conference on Tools with Artificial Intelligence(ICTAI 2007), October 2007, pp. 117–123 (2007)
Cohen, E.G., Goodlad, J.I.: Designing Groupwork: Strategies for the Heterogeneous Classroom, 2nd edn. Teachers College Press (1994)
Damon, W.: Peer Education: The Untapped Potential. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 5(4), 331–343 (1984)
de Los Angeles Constantino-González, M., Suthers, D.D., Escamilla De Los Santos, J.D.: Coaching Web-based Collaborative Learning based on Problem Solution Differences and Participation. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education 13(2-4), 263–299 (2003)
Dillenbourg, P.: What do you mean by Collaborative Learning? In: Dillenbourg, P. (ed.) Collaborative-learning: Cognitive and Computational Approaches, pp. 1–15. Elsevier, Oxford (1999)
Felder, R.M., Silverman, L.K.: Learning and Teaching Styles. Engineering Education 78, 674–681 (1988)
Garton, L., Haythornthwaite, C., Wellman, B.: Studying Online Social Networks. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication 3(1), 1–9 (2006)
Gogoulou, A., Gouli, E., Boas, G., Liakou, E., Grigoriadou, M.: Forming Homogeneous, Heterogeneous and Mixed Groups of Learners. In: Brusilovsky, P., Grigoriadou, M., Papanikolaou, K. (eds.) Proceedings of Workshop on Personalisation in E-Learning Environments at Individual and Group Level, 11th International Conference on User Modeling, pp. 33–40 (2007)
Inaba, A., Supnithi, T., Ikeda, M., Mizoguchi, R., Toyoda, J.: How Can We Form Effective Collaborative Learning Groups? In: Gauthier, G., VanLehn, K., Frasson, C. (eds.) ITS 2000. LNCS, vol. 1839, pp. 282–291. Springer, Heidelberg (2000)
Jain, A.K., Murty, M.N., Flynn, P.J.: Data Clustering: A Review. ACM Computing Surveys 31(3), 264–323 (1999)
Kester, L., Van Rosmalen, P., Sloep, P., Brouns, F., Kone, M., Koper, R.: Matchmaking in Learning Networks: Bringing Learners Together for Knowledge Sharing. Interactive Learning Environments 15(2), 117–126 (2007)
Kolb, A.Y., Kolb, D.A.: The Kolb Learning Style Inventory - Version 3.1 Technical Specifications. Tech. rep. HayGroup, Boston, USA (2005)
Konert, J.: Interactive Multimedia Learning: Using Social Media for Peer Education in Single-Player Educational Games (accepted for publication). Ph.d. thesis, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany (2014)
Konert, J., Burlak, D., Göbel, S., Steinmetz, R.: GroupAL: Ein Algorithmus zur Formation und Qualitätsbewertung von Lerngruppen in E-Learning-Szenarien mittels n-dimensionaler Gütekriterien. In: Breitner, A., Rensing, C. (eds.) Proceedings of the DeLFI 2013: Die 11. e-Learning Fachtagung Informatik der Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V., pp. 71–82. Köllen, Bremen (2013)
Konert, J., Burlak, D., Göbel, S., Steinmetz, R.: GroupAL: ein Algorithmus zur Formation und Qualitätsbewertung von Lerngruppen in E-Learning-Szenarien. i-com 13(1), 70–81 (2014)
Lisak, A., Erez, M.: Leaders and followers in multi-cultural teams. In: Proceeding of the 2009 International Workshop on Intercultural Collaboration, IWIC 2009, p. 81. ACM Press, New York (2009)
Michaelsen, L.K., Fink, L.D., Hall, A.: Designing Effective Group Activities: Lessons for Classroom Teaching and Faculty Development. In: DeZure, D. (ed.) To Improve the Academy: Resources for Faculty, Instructional and Organizational Development, New Forums, Stollwater (1997)
Mitchell, S.N., Reilly, R., Bramwell, F.G., Lilly, F.: Friendship and Choosing Groupmates: Preferences for Teacher-selected vs. Student- selected Groupings in High School Science Classes. Journal of Instructional Psychology 31(1), 1–6 (2012)
Ounnas, A., Davis, H., Millard, D.: A Framework for Semantic Group Formation. In: Eighth IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies, pp. 34–38 (2008)
Ounnas, A., Millard, D.E., Davis, H.C.: A Metrics Framework for Evaluating Group Formation. In: Proceedings of the 2007 International ACM Conference on Supporting Group Work, GROUP 2007, p. 221 (2007)
Paredes, P., Ortigosa, A., Rodriguez, P.: A Method for Supporting Heterogeneous-Group Formation through Heuristics and Visualization. Journal of Universal Computer Science 16(19), 2882–2901 (2010)
Race, P.: Making Learning Happen, vol. 2. Sage Publications, London (2010)
Shim, K.J., Srivastava, J.: Team Performance Prediction in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs). In: 2010 IEEE Second International Conference on Social Computing, pp. 128–136 (August 2010)
Soh, L.K., Khandaker, N., Jiang, H.: I-MINDS: A Multiagent System for Intelligent Computer- Supported Collaborative Learning and Classroom Management. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education 18(2), 119–151 (2008)
Strijbos, J.: Designing for interaction: Six steps to designing computer-supported group-based learning. Computers & Education 42(4), 403–424 (2004)
Tuckman, B.: Developmental sequence in small groups. Psychological Bulletin 63(6), 384–399 (1965)
Westera, W., Wagemans, L.: Help me! Online Learner Support through the Self- Organised Allocation of Peer Tutors. In: Abstracts of the 13th International Conference on Technology Supported Learning & Training, pp. 105–107. ICEW GmbH, Berlin (2007)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this paper
Cite this paper
Konert, J., Burlak, D., Steinmetz, R. (2014). The Group Formation Problem: An Algorithmic Approach to Learning Group Formation. In: Rensing, C., de Freitas, S., Ley, T., Muñoz-Merino, P.J. (eds) Open Learning and Teaching in Educational Communities. EC-TEL 2014. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 8719. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11200-8_17
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11200-8_17
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-11199-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-11200-8
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)