We apologize for a recent technical issue with our email system, which temporarily affected account activations. Accounts have now been activated. Authors may proceed with paper submissions. PhDFocusTM
CFP last date
20 December 2024
Reseach Article

A New Approach to Collaborative Group Formation

by Anurag Sarkar, Dibyabiva Seth, Kaustav Basu, Anal Acharya
International Journal of Computer Applications
Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA
Volume 128 - Number 3
Year of Publication: 2015
Authors: Anurag Sarkar, Dibyabiva Seth, Kaustav Basu, Anal Acharya
10.5120/ijca2015906462

Anurag Sarkar, Dibyabiva Seth, Kaustav Basu, Anal Acharya . A New Approach to Collaborative Group Formation. International Journal of Computer Applications. 128, 3 ( October 2015), 7-14. DOI=10.5120/ijca2015906462

@article{ 10.5120/ijca2015906462,
author = { Anurag Sarkar, Dibyabiva Seth, Kaustav Basu, Anal Acharya },
title = { A New Approach to Collaborative Group Formation },
journal = { International Journal of Computer Applications },
issue_date = { October 2015 },
volume = { 128 },
number = { 3 },
month = { October },
year = { 2015 },
issn = { 0975-8887 },
pages = { 7-14 },
numpages = {9},
url = { https://ijcaonline.org/archives/volume128/number3/22851-2015906462/ },
doi = { 10.5120/ijca2015906462 },
publisher = {Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA},
address = {New York, USA}
}
%0 Journal Article
%1 2024-02-06T23:20:16.374919+05:30
%A Anurag Sarkar
%A Dibyabiva Seth
%A Kaustav Basu
%A Anal Acharya
%T A New Approach to Collaborative Group Formation
%J International Journal of Computer Applications
%@ 0975-8887
%V 128
%N 3
%P 7-14
%D 2015
%I Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA
Abstract

This paper implements a tool, referred to as the Automated Group Decomposition Program (AGDP), which divides a class of students into groups, using the k-means algorithm, for the purpose of collaborative learning, and then heterogenizes the groups based on a factor called the degree of heterogeneity (DOH). The tool takes as input two sets of scores and the students’ roll numbers and outputs the required groups. The first score set scored students on communication skills, fluency in using computers and group work attitude. This score set was used to generate the homogeneous groups. The second score set scored students on their knowledge of the subject and was used to generate the heterogeneous groups. The tool can be used to generate homogeneous clusters, heterogeneous clusters and a mixture of both. This tool can not only be used by teachers but also by instructors with minimal computer experience wishing to form groups to maximize learning.

References
  1. Graf, S., and Bekele, R., “Forming Heterogeneous Groups for Intelligent Collaborative Learning Systems with Ant Colony Optimization”, Lecture Notes in Computer Science Volume 4053, 2006, pp 217-226.
  2. Slavin, R.E, “Developmental and Motivational Perspectives on Cooperative Learning: A Reconciliation”, Child Development, Vol. 58, No. 5, Special Issue on Schools and Development (1987) 1161–1167.
  3. Ames, C., and Ames, R. (eds.),“Research on Motivation in Education”, Academic Press Inc., Orlando, USA (1985).
  4. Dansereau, D., and Johnson, D., “Cooperative learning. In: Druckman, D., Bjork, R.A.: Learning, Remembering, Believing: Enhancing Human Performance”, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. (1994) 83–111.
  5. Jacobs, G., “Cooperative Goal Structure: A Way to Improve Group Activities”, ELT Journal. Vol. 42, No. 2 (1988) 97–100.
  6. Johnson, D.W., and Johnson, R.T., “Cooperative Classrooms. In: Brubacher, M. (eds.): Perspectives on Small Group Learning: Theory and Practice”, Rubican Publishing Ind., Ontario (1990).
  7. Krejins, K., Kirschner, P.A., and Jochems, W., “The Sociability of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Environments. Educational Technology and Society”, Vol. 5, No. 1 (2002) 26–37.
  8. Augustine, D. et al, “Cooperation works! Cooperative Learning can benefit all students”, Educational Leadership 7 (1989).
  9. Dai-Yi Wang, Sunny S.J. Lin, and Chuen-Tsai Sun, “DIANA: A Computer-Supported heterogeneous grouping system for teachers to conduct successful small learning groups”, Computers in Human Behavior, Volume 23, Issue 4, July 2007, Pages 1997–2010.
  10. Christodoulopoulos, C.E., and Papanikolaou, K.A., “A Group Formation Tool in an E-Learning Context”, 19th IEEE International Conference on Tools with Artificial Intelligence (ICTAI 2007), Vol. 2, pp. 117-123, Oct. 2007.
  11. Redmond, M.A., “A Computer Program to Aid Assignment of Student Project Groups”, ACM SIGCSE Conference, 2001, pp. 134-138.
  12. Gokhale, A.A., “Collaborative Learning Enhances Critical Thinking”, Journal of Technology Education Fall 1995, Vol. 7, Number 1.
  13. Alavi, M., “Computer-Mediated Collaborative Learning: An Empirical Evaluation”, Management Information Systems Research Center, University of Minnesota, Vol. 18, No. 2 (Jun., 1994), pp. 159-174.
Index Terms

Computer Science
Information Sciences

Keywords

collaborative learning k-means constraint satisfaction degree of homogeneity group learning homogeneous groups heterogeneous groups.