A lecture allocation support system for elective subjects-based curricula

This paper proposes a lecture allocation support system based on users´ utilities in elective subjects. Elective subjects systems are employed in many universities and colleges and students select subjects based on their interests and preferences. Generally, educational institutions (universities) determine members of elective subjects based on only one simple rule, such as the order of grade, random selection, and so on. Current determination systems have strong limitations in terms of reflecting users multiple preferences. We propose a new determination algorithm and a user support system based on users multi attribute preferences. We employ the multi-attribute utility theory to show as formula and calculate users multiple preferences. Furthermore, our system takes the manager´s intention into consideration. When users preferences are not reflected in algorithm-based determination, a coordination agent decides lecture allocation cooperatively. Advantages of our system are mainly as follows. Lectures are allocated effectively, that is reflected users´ multiple preferences. Managers can operate the class organization based on their intentions.