E‐learning agents

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the advantages of using intelligent agents to facilitate the location and customization of appropriate e‐learning resources and to foster collaboration in e‐learning environments. Design/methodology/approach – This paper proposes an e‐learning environment that can be used to provide customized learning. It utilizes a set of interacting agents that can personalize instruction based on an individual's prior knowledge as well as their cognitive and learning needs. The e‐learning agents monitor the e‐learning environment and improve learning and collaboration based on learners' prior knowledge, social characteristics and learning style. Findings – E‐learning agents should allow the discovery of new learning objects more easily, allow learners to customize materials presented to improve learning outcomes, and improve collaboration in the e‐learning environment. Originality/value – Little prior research has been done on the use of agents in e‐learning environments. This paper proposes a set of e‐learning agents that, if implemented in online education or training environments, should provide tangible benefits to organizations.