Adaptive Learning Path Recommendation based on Graph Theory and an Improved Immune Algorithm

Adaptive learning in e-learning has garnered researchers' interest. In it, learning resources could be recommended automatically to achieve a personalized learning experience. There are various ways to realize it. One of the realistic ways is adaptive learning path recommendation, in which learning resources are provided according to learners' requirements. This paper summarizes existing works and proposes an innovative approach. Firstly, a learner-centred concept map is created using graph theory based on the features of the learners and concepts. Then, the approach generates a linear concept sequence from the concept map using the proposed traversal algorithm. Finally, Learning Objects (LOs), which are the smallest concrete units that make up a learning path, are organized based on the concept sequences. In order to realize this step, we model it as a multi-objective combinatorial optimization problem, and an improved immune algorithm (IIA) is proposed to solve it. In the experimental stage, a series of simulated experiments are conducted on nine datasets with different levels of complexity. The results show that the proposed algorithm increases the computational efficiency and effectiveness. Moreover, an empirical study is carried out to validate the proposed approach from a pedagogical view. Compared with a self-selection based approach and the other evolutionary algorithm based approaches, the proposed approach produces better outcomes in terms of learners' homework, final exam grades and satisfaction.