A novel algorithm for dynamic student profile adaptation based on learning styles

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.E-learning recommendation systems are used to enhance student performance and knowledge by providing tailor- made services based on the students’ preferences and learning styles, which are typically stored in student profiles. For such systems to remain effective, the profiles need to be able to adapt and reflect the students’ changing behaviour. In this paper, we introduce new algorithms that are designed to track student learning behaviour patterns, capture their learning styles, and maintain dynamic student profiles within a recommendation system (RS). This paper also proposes a new method to extract features that characterise student behaviour to identify students’ learning styles with respect to the Felder-Silverman learning style model (FSLSM). In order to test the efficiency of the proposed algorithm, we present a series of experiments that use a dataset of real students to demonstrate how our proposed algorithm can effectively model a dynamic student profile and adapt to different student learning behaviour. The results revealed that the students could effectively increase their learning efficiency and quality for the courses when the learning styles are identified, and proper recommendations are made by using our method

Unequal Power Relations in the Norwegian Planning System: Selective Use of Regional Planning

Planprosesser på lokalt nivå blir noen ganger stanset som følge av innsigelser fremmet fra overordnede planmyndigheter. Allikevel er det usikkert i hvor stor grad disse innsigelsesprosessene kunne blitt unngått. Samtidig har Kommunal- og moderniseringsdepartementet (KMD) med Jan Tore Sanner som statsråd satt seg som mål å effektivisere norsk planlegging ved å fjerne såkalte tidstyver. Semistrukturerte dybdeintervju med dokumentanalyse har belyst viktige aspekter av hvilke forhold de ulike aktørene har til hverandre. Intervjuene begrenset seg til relevante fagfolk med kunnskap om planprosessene fra case-området i Bærum kommune på Bekkestua og Fossum. I tillegg ble andre fagfolk med godt innsyn i plan- og innsigelsesprosesser også intervjuet, samt sjefen for Planutvalget i Bærum kommune. Dette resulterte i syv separate dybdeintervju som ble utført på arbeidsplassene til disse personene, fullt anonymisert. Opptak og transkribering ble brukt for å samle inn og bearbeide dataene. Dette prosjektet har vart i ca. fem måneder. Resultatene har vist gjennom intervjuene at interesser bak forslag til områder som avviker fra regionale planer og føringer driver disse forslagene. Oppgaven viser hvordan maktmekanismer blir brukt som virkemiddel for å fremme disse områdene. Særinteresser fra ulike aktører, og manglende åpen dialog mellom aktører og myndigheter trekkes frem som hovedårsaker bak unødvendige innsigelsesprosesser. Bedre kommunikasjon mellom politikere og administrasjoner i det norske plansystemet kan bidra til å gjøre selektiv bruk og oppfølging av regional planlegging mindre fremtredende enn det er i dag.Planning processes at the local level are sometimes halted owing to objections submitted from regional and national planning authorities. Yet it is uncertain to what extent these objections processes could be avoided. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation with Jan Tore Sanner as minister, set a goal to streamline the Norwegian planning by removing so-called time-thieves from the planning processes. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with document analysis have illuminated important aspects of what relations the different actors have with each other. The interviews were limited to relevant professionals with knowledge of the planning process from the case in Bærum municipality and the areas of Bekkestua and Fossum. In addition, other professionals with valuable insight into the planning and objection processes also interviewed, as well as the chief of the planning committee in Bærum municipality. This resulted in seven separate and completely anonymous in-depth interviews conducted at the interview subjects work places. Recording and transcribing was used to collect and process data. This project has lasted for about five months. The results have through the interviews shown that interests behind proposals for areas that deviate from regional plans and guidelines driving these proposals. The thesis shows how power mechanisms are being used as an instrument to promote these areas. Vested interests from various stakeholders, and lack of open dialogue between stakeholders and authorities is cited as the main reasons behind unnecessary objection processes. Better communication between politicians and administrations in the Norwegian planning system can help to make selective use and monitoring of regional planning less prominent than it is today.M-BYRE