Fostering Online Discussions Through Social Learning Analytics

• In Event: 30.064 - Alternative Analyses of Learners' Interactions

Abstract

Learning analytics are commonly reserved for the teacher. This paper reports on the initial phase of a design research program that aimed to devise social learning analytics to be used by students. The developed tool, CanvasNet, aimed to foster online discussions by turning discussion data into actionable insights for students. The first pilot, implemented in an undergraduate course, showed both early promise and significant challenges facing this effort. Future efforts in this area need to strive for tool simplicity, scaffold students to develop procedural and conceptual knowledge necessary for interpreting provided analytics, and bring analytics and pedagogical designs into greater coordination.

Authors

• Bodong Chen, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

• Yu-Hui Chang, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

• Fan Ouyang, University of Minnesota

• Wanying Zhou, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities