The applicability of social network analysis to the study of networked learning

Abstract

Studying networked learning (NL) by applying social network analysis (SNA) has gained popularity in recent years. However, it appears that in the context of NL the choice of SNA indices is very often dictated by using easily achievable SNA tools. Most studies in this field only involve a single group of students and utilise simple indices, such as density and Freeman's degree centrality. This study uses data collected from 23 groups of pupils and correlates various SNA indices with the pupils' experiences of the learning process, thus identifying SNA indices that actually relate to the experiences of a learning process. The results show that density is not very useful in studying NL, and Freeman's degree centrality is meaningful only in certain cases. Further, the study points out several potentially better suited indices for use in further studies of NL.

Keywords:

• networked learning
• social network analysis
• progressive inquiry
• density
• Freeman's degree

Acknowledgements

The data for this study were generated and collected as part of the ITCOLE project, financially supported by the European Union under the ICT domain of the 6th Framework Programme.