Discovering and analyzing learning pattern on web based learning using social network analysis

Abstract

Web based learning has been promoting alternative way of learning for decades. The difficulty of web based learning is to provide the appropriate support for the learners so that the learners will not get lost and their learning achievements can be ensured. This paper thus proposes the method for discovering learning patterns of the learners on web based learning particularly for ensuring the learning achievement. The learning pattern is discovered by analyzing the interactions among the learners and the learning objects with social network analysis. Then, the achievement learning pattern is finally determined by analyzing the sets of obtained social network measurements. The interaction data is gathered from online course named introduction to Information Technology in the 2013 academic year, particularly for spreadsheet content module having 10 learning objects. The interaction patterns only of two groups of students including scientific and nonscientific background knowledge who pass the spreadsheet examination are analyzed. Finally, learning patterns ensuring learning achievement for spreadsheet content module of those students having different background knowledge is revealed.