A model for personalized course material generation based on student learning abilities and interests

Abstract

With the ability to connect people and information around the world, the Internet is already having a significant impact on the traditional education. Nowadays, students can easily access the online course materials anytime anywhere. As a coin has two sides, Internet also amplifies the complexity of the course materials development and their provisioning. Since the learning initiative is taken by a student in the e-learning environment, traditional teacher-driven learning model is no longer applicable. Thus, student-centered course materials which are prepared based on individual student's learning expectation and individual academic background become critical. In this paper, we introduce a model for personalized course material generation through 1) student ability test based on Item Response Theory, 2) a Dynamic Conceptual Network for course materials management, and 3) intelligent knowledge base facilities, such as personal profiles, to help understand students' behaviors so as to materialize the concept of personalization. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.