The challenge of optimizing personalized learning pathways to maximize student engagement and minimize task completion time while adhering to prerequisite constraints remains a significant issue in educational technology. This paper applies the Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA) as a new solution to this problem. Our approach compares SSA against traditional optimization techniques such as Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The results demonstrate that SSA significantly outperforms these methods, achieving a lower average fitness value of 307.0 compared to 320.0 for GA and 315.0 for PSO. Furthermore, SSA exhibits greater consistency, with a lower standard deviation and superior computational efficiency, as evidenced by faster execution times. The success of SSA is attributed to its balanced approach to exploration and exploitation within the search space. These findings highlight the potential of SSA as an effective tool for optimizing personalized learning experiences.

Collaborative Research: A Student-Centered Personalized Learning Framework to Advance Undergraduate Robotics Education, National Science Foundation PI: David Feil-Seifer, co-PI: Fredrick Harris, Sergiu Dascalu, Amount: $320,214, June 1, 2022 - May 31, 2025