The Effect of Centralization and Cohesion on the Social Construction of Knowledge in Discussion Forums

Autor/inn/en	Tirado, Ramon; Hernando, Angel; Aguaded, Jose Ignacio
Titel	The Effect of Centralization and Cohesion on the Social Construction of Knowledge in Discussion Forums
Quelle	(2012), S.1-24 (25 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1049-4820
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Educational Technology; Electronic Learning; Computer Assisted Instruction; Distance Education; Integrated Learning Systems; Asynchronous Communication; Discussion; Computer Mediated Communication; Social Networks; Instructional Effectiveness; College Instruction; Network Analysis; Content Analysis; Discourse Analysis; Correlation; Data Analysis; Centralization; Learning Processes; Structural Equation Models; Cooperative Learning; Group Dynamics; Social Work; Case Method (Teaching Technique); Practicums; Graduate Students; Spain + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Unterrichtsmedien; Computer based training; Computerunterstützter Unterricht; Distance study; Distance learning; Fernunterricht; Diskussion; Computerkonferenz; Social network; Soziales Netzwerk; Unterrichtserfolg; Hochschullehre; Netzplantechnik; Inhaltsanalyse; Diskursanalyse; Korrelation; Auswertung; Centralisation; Zentralisierung; Learning process; Lernprozess; Kooperatives Lernen; Gruppendynamik; Soziale Arbeit; Case method; Fallmethode; Practicum; Praktikum; Praktika; Graduate Study; Student; Students; Aufbaustudium; Graduiertenstudium; Hauptstudium; Studentin; Spanien
Abstract	Interactive relationships in online learning communities can influence the process and quality of knowledge building. The aim of this study is to empirically investigate the relationships between network structures and social knowledge building in an asynchronous writing environment through discussion forums in a learning management system. The quality of the knowledge construction process is evaluated through content analysis, and the network structures are analyzed using a social network analysis of the response relations among participants during online discussions. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze relations between network structures and knowledge construction. Working on data extracted from a 6-week distance-learning experiment, we analyzed how 10 groups developed collaborative learning social networks when participants worked together on case resolution. The results show a positive correlation between cohesion and centralization, and the positive influence of the cohesion index and the centralization index on social presence and cognitive presence in knowledge building. However, this must be understood within the context of social networks in which messages sent to all group members occupy the center. This underlines the need for reinforcing participations that are directed to the group as a whole, and the importance of the fact the network contains both central and intermediate members. By contrast, we propose that the combination of analysis techniques used is a good option for this type of study while recognizing that it is necessary to continue validating the instruments in terms of their own theoretical suppositions. (Contains 2 figures and 3 tables.) (As Provided).
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10