Personalized Programming Education: Using Machine Learning to Boost Learning Performance Based on Students' Personality Traits

TL;DR

This study develops a physiological signal-based model to objectively predict students' personality traits, aiming to enhance personalized programming education and improve learning outcomes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel physiological signal approach for personality assessment, overcoming limitations of traditional questionnaires in educational settings.

Findings

Galvanic skin response and heart rate variance predict extroversion.

Heart rate variance predicts agreeableness and conscientiousness.

Physiological signals can inform personalized teaching strategies.

Abstract

Studies have indicated that personality is related to achievement, and several personality assessment models have been developed. However, most are either questionnaires or based on marker systems, which entails limitations. We proposed a physiological signal based model, thereby ensuring the objectivity of the data and preventing unreliable responses. Thirty participants were recruited from the Department of Electrical Engineering of Yuan Ze University in Taiwan. Wearable sensors were used to collect physiological signals as the participants watched and summarized a video. They then completed a personality questionnaire based on the big five factor markers system. The results were used to construct a personality prediction model, which revealed that galvanic skin response and heart rate variance were key factors predicting extroversion; heart rate variance also predicted agreeableness and conscientiousness. The results of this experiment can elucidate students personality traits, which can help educators select the appropriate pedagogical methods.