Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15516/cje.v27i1.5950
Leveraging Metaheuristic Optimized Classifier Exploitability to Detect and Understand Student Dropout
Žaklina Spalević
; Singidunum University Belgrade, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Lazar Stošić
orcid.org/0000-0003-0039-7370
; University UNION Nikola Tesla Belgrade, Faculty of Informatics and Computer Science
Nebojša Bačanin Džakula
orcid.org/0000-0002-2062-924X
; Singidunum University Belgrade, Faculty of Informatics and Computing
Luka Jovanović
; Singidunum University Belgrade, Faculty of Informatics and Computing
Filip Marković
; University of Pristina in Kosovska Mitrovica, Faculty of Technical Sciences
Abstract
Education is crucial for social progress, fostering knowledge, skills, and cognitive development, and is closely linked to long-term economic growth. By enhancing the general knowledge and skills of the population, education fuels innovation and the adoption of new ideas, making human capital a key driver of economic development. A well-educated workforce significantly contributes to research and development, integrating innovations into production and promoting economic growth. Despite extensive research, maintaining high enrolment and low dropout rates remains challenging. The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing this issue is underexplored. This work aims to fill this gap by leveraging metaheuristic optimized deep neural networks to detect students at risk of dropping out. A modified version of the firefly algorithm (FA) is introduced specifically to meet the demands of this optimization. Additionally, explainable AI (XAI) techniques are employed to better understand the factors influencing student decisions, thereby aiding in the formulation of effective retention policies. The introduced methodology is evaluated on a realworld dataset, with the best models achieving an accuracy exceeding 82% for dropout detection.
Keywords
Academia; Deep Neural Networks; Explainable Artificial Intelligence; Firefly Algorithm; Legal regulation and Ethical Principles
Hrčak ID:
333387
URI
Publication date:
28.3.2025.
Visits: 686 *