An Active Learning System for Auction Agent Programming with Competitions

Recent researches argue that web-based learning environment and active learning would greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of teaching. This paper aims to develop a system which promotes efficient learning by a web-based system and facilitates active learners’ participation through game competition for an e-commerce topic, auction agent programming. The game competition is about an auction among travel agencies to bid resources for their clients. All travel agencies are actually software agents programmed by learners. The agent performs best in terms of profit and utility would be the winner. This competition encourages learners to think, discuss and apply their understanding.