How to Form Groups in Virtual Learning Environments? A hybrid approach using genetic algorithms and clustering algorithms

• Milnner Kauan T. Andrade Federal Institute of Southern Minas Gerais http://orcid.org/0009-0006-8547-7036
• Vinícius A. Silva Federal Institute of Southern Minas Gerais https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0726-7379
• Hiran Nonato M. Ferreira Federal Institute of Southern Minas Gerais https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4977-9495

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/sbie.2024.242721

Abstract

According to the ”Censo de Educação Superior de 2022”, there was an increase of 189.1% in enrollments in Distance Education between the years 2018 and 2022. In this context, classes can be larger, as there is no physical limitation imposed by a classroom, and the necessary interactions for teaching are facilitated by computing. This work studies another computational facility that can be inserted into the academic context. Therefore, a methodology that combines techniques, WMH K-means and Genetic Algorithms (GA), is proposed to create solutions that seek to optimize relationships among students. The approach was tested with probabilistically generated data and analyzes the hybrid method in relation to an approach solely using GA. The goal is to enable a more efficient and productive learning environment.

Keywords: Groups, Educational Environments, Education

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