Hybrid attribute-based recommender system for personalized e-learning with emphasis on cold start problem

This article introduces a recommendation system that merges a knowledge-based (attribute-based) approach with collaborative filtering, specifically addressing the challenges of the pure-cold start scenario in personalized e-learning. The system generates learning recommendations by assessing item similarities, utilizing the Rogers-Tanimoto similarity measure for materials and users, and Jaccard's similarity for user comparisons. Unlike traditional collaborative methods relying on prior ratings, this approach depends on attributes. Additionally, user and learning material profiling structures were created to serve as fundamental inputs for the recommendation algorithm. These profiles represent student and material knowledge in a two-dimensional space to facilitate matching. Our processes incorporate user learning styles, preferences, and prior knowledge as metrics for achieving the desired level of personalization. The system produces a list of top recommendations based on predicted ratings. To validate its efficacy, a website resembling our learning platform was developed and tested by users. The primary results demonstrate the system's ability to identify similar users even in a pure cold start condition without existing ratings. Consequently, the system proves its capability in recommending suitable materials, modeling students, and identifying similar user groups. The evaluation results of the proposed system showed a good level of satisfaction by the testimonials, quantified by a score of 82% for the recommended materials (16% higher than exiting cold-start systems), and an average score of 90% in terms of satisfaction about the generated student profiles. As they proved the capability of the framework in recommending suitable materials, and its capability in modeling students, finding similar groups of users.