Investigating Interactions in a Virtual Learning Environment through Social Network Analysis

• Autor(a) principal: Sacerdote, Helena Célia de Souza
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Outros Autores: Fernandes, Jorge Henrique Cabral
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: InCID
• Texto Completo: https://www.revistas.usp.br/incid/article/view/59105
• topic: Interações Sociais. Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem. Análise de Redes Sociais.; Social Interactions; Virtual Learning Environment; Social Network Analysis

This paper analyzes the interactions between individuals in the Virtual Learning Environment, used as supporting college classroom, the Sistema Aprender of the University of Brasilia - Brazil. It also examines the use of resources available in the environment. The analysis utilized data from users' activities on the exchange of messages in discussion forums through the exploratory method of Social Network Analysis and used the files of individual activity logs generated by the environment. The results show that interactions in the discussion forums occurred only among students, which is attributed to the mode of teaching. Students remained in this more central position along the course. There was similarity in the interactions of prominent individuals. The use of environmental resources by students was more prominent than the others in the class, but the student who used the most resources has not been the most prominent. The use of analysis of interactions and resource use in AVA as strategic information for evaluating classes and individuals can promote the design of appropriate environments to meet the user's needs in the process of teaching and learning environments supported by information technology and communication.