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An improved hybrid ontology-based approach for online learning resource recommendations

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Abstract

In recent years, online learning has become more and more popular. However, because of information overload, learners often find it difficult to retrieve suitable learning resources. Although many scholars have proposed excellent online learning resource recommendation algorithms, the accuracy of personalized recommendation results still needs to be improved. This study proposes an improved hybrid ontology-based approach for online learning resource recommendations, combining collaborative filtering algorithm and sequential pattern mining (SPM) techniques. Ontology can be used effectively for knowledge representation to avoid cold start and data sparsity problems. And the history of learners’ sequential access patterns helps in providing recommendations that are more consistent with the law of learning activities. Experimental results reveal that our improved hybrid approach for learning resource recommendations yields better performance and recommendation quality than other related algorithms. Compared with previous research outcomes, our collaborative filtering engine, with ontology domain knowledge, makes full use of the historical learning paths of similar learners. The ontology construction in this study has a more reliable theoretical basis and the selection of features is more representative. In addition, improvement of the SPM process further improves the efficiency of our recommended algorithm.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (72004139), the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (20ZR1454500), and the Shanghai Planning Office of Philosophy and Social Science (2019EGL018).

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  1. School of Business and Management, Shanghai International Studies University, No.550, West Dalian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China

    Shang Shanshan, Gao Mingjin & Luo Lijuan

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  1. Shang Shanshan
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SS conceptualized and designed research, interpreted data, supervised the research team, MJ and LJ collected and analyzed data, drafted the manuscript, MJ interpreted data and reviewed and edited the manuscript. The authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Luo Lijuan.

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Shanshan, S., Mingjin, G. & Lijuan, L. An improved hybrid ontology-based approach for online learning resource recommendations. Education Tech Research Dev 69, 2637–2661 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-10029-0

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