SEUL.org: Linux in education report #17 for April 24

[ Thanks to Doug Loss
for this link. ]

“The Genetic Algorithm Time Tabler is being developed in Estonia
to help computerize the Estonian educational system. We haven’t
done more than take a cursory look at it, but the source for the
latest version is available here.”

“Simon John Karl Horman from The University of New South
Wales has written a thesis on scheduling through the use of genetic
algorithms. Here’s the first paragraph from its abstract: “The
aim is to solve a complex problem using the algorithms suggested by
natural selection. This has come to be known as a Genetic Algorithm
due to the close ties with Genetics. The problem of scheduling The
University of New South Wales Examination Timetable is a complex
problem that has real world application. Hence application in this
area has the potential to promote the strengths of using genetic
algorithms.”

“Other possibilities include WebEvent, although it’s commercial
and not directly aimed at solving the school scheduling problem,
and Visual Scheduling System, although it’s an MS-DOS program
(presumably it would run under DOSEMU). Finally, the University of
Algarve, Portugal, is working on timetabling software for their own
use. They say, “The code is currently not available (it really
isn’t ready for public consumption), but we intend to make source
available for the redesigned system as we make progress on it.”

Complete
Story