A Virtual Advisor Utilizing Multi-Agent Software Teams and Contingency Theoretic Coordination Models

Abstract

Few tools are available for managing distributed educational support processes, from answering “quick” student questions, to degree planning and course scheduling. The dual purpose of our work is to analyze the viability of synthesizing two well-established paradigms (agent-based systems and Information Processing Theory) to create a distributed Web-based support system for a virtual university. Currently, we are developing a smart agent-based resource for advising (SARA) that will serve different departments at multiple universities. This effort allows the investigation of distributed advising systems in a virtual university, along with providing a platform for investigating utilization of brick-and-mortar research on coordination and control of human employees in a completely virtual world. In this chapter, we present SARA to argue for the benefits derived from integrating agent-based systems development and information-processing theory for creating rapidly customizable Web-based support systems.