Between Centrality and Peripherality: A Social Network Analysis of Preservice Teachers' Participation in Online Discussions

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Classroom Talk, Opportunities to Learn, and Student Understanding

Abstract

With an interest in participation dynamics in blended communities, this study extends research on social network analysis (SNA). Employing a quantitative tool in a qualitative way, this study aims not only to visualize socially networked interactions reciprocated by preservice bilingual teachers, from a central to a more peripheral participation, but also to explore what influences participation trajectories. Qualitative content analysis captured how each comment created in knowledge co-construction processes influenced the goal of the interaction. Findings showed that central players varied in each discussion, and some participants showed characteristic interaction patterns across the semester. The most central role based on SNA did not always coincide with discourse roles in conversations, and group differences in social network interactions were noticeable.

Authors

• J. Hannah Park, The University of Texas - San Antonio

• Kyle M. Williams, The University of Texas at Austin

• Eunjeong Choi, The University of Texas - Austin

• Jeonghyun Jonna Lee, The University of Texas - Austin

• Rachel E. Gaines, Kennesaw State University

• Diane L. Schallert, The University of Texas - Austin

• Allison Zengilowski, The University of Texas - Austin