Theme 1: Knowledge building for a Knowledge Society
Knowledge Building: A Trajectory
An
application of social network analysis to knowledge building
Li Sha & Jan van Aalst, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada
Li Sha & Jan van Aalst, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada
This paper is a design study that explores the use of server log data to guide knowledge building. We use the Analytic Toolkit for Knowledge Forum™ (KF) and techniques from social network analysis to analyze participation and interactivity in two KF databases. In doing so, we connect individual measures on the use of KF features with measures that probe collaboration at a more systemic level. The first case study is drawn from a grade 4 class; the second study is drawn from a grade 9 class. In each case, the results uncover useful information about participation and interactivity. In the first study, there were correlations between the use of KF features and the social network variables that deteriorated over time; there also was a lack of reciprocity in the interactions. In the second study there were no significant relationships between the use of KF features and the social network variables. We emphasize not the findings of the studies themselves, but argue that analyses like these be used to inform a class’s ongoing efforts to improve its knowledge building discourse.
Please note that the completed paper is available at http://www.educ.sfu.ca/kb/kb-welcome.htm