Enabling Information Access in Virtual Learning Environment: The Case of Data Science Minor

Abstract

In this paper, we present our current research regarding information interaction strategies of students of minor specialization in Data Science. We employed an online platform, consisted of a third-party and our software, to provide students with means of learning and analyse their learning activity. We developed several indicators to estimate their activity: coding activity, friends network size, and Q&A activity. We show that high-achieving and low-achieving students use resources in different ways, with substantial inequality in resource access/use. Based on the research, we propose two features that supposedly would provoke students to participate in a Q&A activity decreasing inequality in the use of these resources.