Collective Knowledge Advancement Through Idea-Friend Maps in a Knowledge-Building Environment

• In Event: Technology Methods and Tools for Promoting Understanding Within Collaborative Environments

Abstract

We examined a knowledge-building environment, mediated by Knowledge Forum®, in which representations from a learning analytics tool were used to create “Idea-Friend Maps”, to scaffold collective inquiry. Fifty-three Grade-Five students from thirteen groups studying Electricity participated. Quantitative analysis of KF notes indicated that students’ contribution to collective knowledge advancement predicted their individual science scores. Analysis using analytics-based pivotal turns, centralities, and KB discourse moves showed that all groups made collective advances. Further analyses revealed different patterns of knowledge-building trajectories among high-medium-low groups and illuminated the role of Idea-friend Maps in scaffolding collective knowledge building. This study shed light on how learning analytics can be used to chart knowledge-building trajectories in collective inquiry and promote knowledge-building in large communities.

Authors

• Xueqi FENG, Southern University of Science and Technology

• Jan van Aalst, The University of Hong Kong

• Carol K. Chan, University of Hong Kong