Automatic Group Formation for Large Classes in Distance Education

Resumo

. In this work, a group formation method was developed for distance education environments involving large classes, such as Moocs, in order to facilitate interactions between students. Group formation principles are applied as an attempt to meet the dichotomy that exists between the collective, which involves the formation of an on-line learning community on a massive scale, and the individual, with different interests, previous knowledge, expectations and profiles. The formation of groups is automatic, using an algorithm based on the particle swarm method and considering three criteria: level of knowledge, interest and leadership profile.