Oct 2026· Frontiers in Computing and Intelligent Systems· 4 references
Online Learning and Analytics
Abstract
Verifying whether learners are actually engaged with online course resources is challenging. Ineffective learning behaviors are common. These include dropping out midway and letting videos play without watching. The "Smart Classroom Manager" is a deep learning system with three layers: perception, analysis and application. The recognition module is a convolutional neural network for facial expressions. From its outputs, a learner psychological model is derived in the two-dimensional valence–arousal space, and the results are mapped to four learning emotion labels: focus, confusion, joy, and fatigue. These labels feed three functions: facial attendance tracking, early warning of abnormal learning states, and learning behavior profiling. Online classrooms impose strict latency limits, and two engineering choices address this constraint. Facial landmark prediction shrinks the region the detector has to search, and edge computing takes part of the inference load off the server. In practice, the system lets online teaching platforms watch learning states as they happen, and the data it collects can support ongoing reforms in teaching evaluation.
This publication proposes a definition and a classification of agile software development approaches and analyses ten software development methods that can be characterized as being "agile" against the defined criterion.
P. Abrahamsson, O. Salo, Jussi Ronkainen et al.· arXiv.org· 727 citations· ⚡54
The study shows that agile practices improve both informal and formal communication, but indicates that, in larger development situations involving multiple external stakeholders, a mismatch of adequate communication mechanisms can sometimes even hinder the communication.
M. Pikkarainen, Jukka Haikara, O. Salo et al.· Empirical Software Engineeri...· 401 citations· ⚡48
The results indicate that software engineering work practices are chosen opportunistically, adapted and configured to provide value under the constrains imposed by the startup context.
Nicolò Paternoster, Carmine Giardino, M. Unterkalmsteiner et al.· Information and Software Tec...· 394 citations· ⚡54
The perception of the impact of agile methods is predominantly positive, and several challenge areas were discovered, but based on this study, agile methods are here to stay.
M. Laanti, O. Salo, P. Abrahamsson· Information and Software Tec...· 260 citations· ⚡20
Related blog posts
MIT News · Artificial Intelligence· news.mit.eduOct 15, 2026
A new computational approach reveals how cells communicate to assemble into tissues. This could accelerate stem cell engineering, improve disease models, and inform therapies.
Microsoft Research Blog· microsoft.comOct 15, 2026
Zero-knowledge proofs can verify computing results without rerunning workloads or exposing sensitive data. Magnetar helps bring them into the mainstream with support for standard programming languages, major speed gains, and quantum-resistant security. The post Proof-based general-purpose computing with Magnetar appeared first on Microsoft Research.
MIT News · Artificial Intelligence· news.mit.eduOct 8, 2026