Multi-agent systems support for community-based learning

Electronic distributed learning that overlooks the physical and geographic status of learners has become a reality. Moreover, its quality has been considerably improved by utilizing recent advances in web-based technology. Various electronic learning support systems such as Internet-based tutorials and Virtual Universities have appeared in different forms and reflect advances in technology. However, there remains a huge barrier to support the shareable and collaborative learning available through virtual communities. Our solution to these problems was to develop an educational middleware, called the Community-Based Learning (CoBL) framework whose goal is to: (a) adapt to the diverse requirements of learners; (b) support shareable and collaborative learning; and (c) be capable of facilitating distributed learning over the Internet. The CoBL framework is based on: (1) agents to manage individual learners and communities of learners; (2) a shared data model for integrating heterogeneous communities; and (3) a component-oriented development approach. We have implemented the CoBL prototype system and used it for community-based leaming. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.