Modified recommender system model for the utilized eLearning platform

Abstract

The recommender system has been designed to impose a degree of order into the content management of e-courses accompanying subjects on geography, history and culture of English-speaking countries within the Management of Tourism bachelor study programme. The article discusses blended learning form of education with a focus on an innovative approach to content creation and a recommender system of learning material in e-courses. These two interconnected parts of e-courses are analysed on both a theoretical and practical basis resulting in the design of a recommender system model reflecting technical specifications of established learning management system at the university. The effort of educators to enhance students’ learning performance is run via active involvement of students into the process of education by means of creation, presentation and evaluation of study materials. This approach is based on elaborated guiding in the virtual space, in utilizing proper tools for communication, navigation and evaluation of students’ presentations. The evaluation of students’ presentations is made in the virtual space and also during face-to-face classes, for it is the inseparable part of the recommender system and as a whole corresponds to the blended learning concept. The pilot stage of implementation of the recommender system was tested during the last academic year. Students welcomed the new approach, earlier some students felt limited by time and others by lack of knowledge to evaluate which material is worth studying. Appropriateness of the model was demonstrated by reduced failure rate at the final tests.