Networks of information sharing among computer-supported distance learners

  • Authors:
  • Caroline Haythornthwaite

  • Affiliations:
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Venue:
  • CSCL '99 Proceedings of the 1999 conference on Computer support for collaborative learning
  • Year:
  • 1999

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Abstract

Collaborative learning requires interaction and exchange among learners as they share experiences and solve problems cooperatively. In computer-supported distance learning classes it is often difficult to know to what extent individuals are interacting and how much they communicate with other class members. To explore intra-class interaction, social network data were gathered on the exchange of information and advice about class work among members of four distance learning classes, and the use of media for this exchange. Results present a preliminary evaluation of characteristics of the "typical" student's network in these classes, including the size of the network, the frequency of exchanges, and the media used, and its relation to students sense of belonging to the class.