QoS-based Semantic Micro Services Discovery and Composition using ACO Algorithm

Abstract

In this paper, we present a new model of e-Learning platforms based on semantic micro services using discovery, selection and composition methods to generate learning paths. In this model, each semantic micro service represents an elementary educational resource that can be a course, an exercise, a tutorial or an evaluation implementing a precise learning path objective. The semantic micro services are described using ontologies and deployed in multi-instances in a cloud environment according to a load balancing and a fault tolerance system. Learners' requests are sent to a proxy micro service having learning paths abstract structures represented as an oriented graph. Proxy micro service analyses the request to define the learner profile and context in order to provide him with the semantic micro services responsible of the educational resources satisfying his functional and non-functional needs. In this model, to achieve an optimal learning path generation a two steps process is employed, where local optimization uses semantic discovery and selection based on a matchmaking algorithm and a quality of service measurement, and global optimization adopts an ant colony optimization algorithm to select the best resource combination. Our experimental results show that the proposed model can effectively returns optimized learning paths considering individual, collective and pedagogical factors.