ERIC Number: EJ935852
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1049-4820
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Exploring Affiliation Network Models as a Collaborative Filtering Mechanism in E-Learning
Rodriguez, Daniel; Sicilia, Miguel Angel; Sanchez-Alonso, Salvador; Lezcano, Leonardo; Garcia-Barriocanal, Elena
Interactive Learning Environments, v19 n4 p317-331 2011
The online interaction of learners and tutors in activities with concrete objectives provides a valuable source of data that can be analyzed for different purposes. One of these purposes is the use of the information extracted from that interaction to aid tutors and learners in decision making about either the configuration of further learning activities or the filtering of learning resources. This article explores the use of an affiliation network model for such kind of purposes. Concretely, the use of techniques such as "blockmodeling"--a technique used to derive meaningful patterns of relationships in the network--and the analysis of "m-slices"--a technique helpful to study cohesion in relationships--are explored as tools to decide on the configuration of topics and/or learner groups. In particular, the results of the case study show that such techniques can be used to (i) filter participants for rearranging groups; (ii) rearrange topics of interest; and (iii) dynamically change the structure of a course. The techniques presented can be considered a case of collaborative filtering based on social network structure. (Contains 6 notes, 1 table and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Electronic Learning, Interaction, Tutors, Social Networks, Decision Making, Learning Activities, Models, Case Studies, Outcomes of Education, Evaluation
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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