Exploring the Relationship between SPOC Forum Behaviors and Learning Outcomes Based on Social Network Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents research that works in progress. Small private online courses (SPOCs) have received widespread attention for their adaptability to blended teaching in higher education. As an interactive tool, the SPOC discussion forum generates a large amount of data every day, including learning contents discussion, questions raising and feedback. In this paper, the computer structure course served as the research object, which is a SPOC for sophomores. Social network analysis (SNA) methods were utilized to explore the network extracted from the discussion forum. The results show that learners' three measures of centrality are significantly positively related to learning outcomes, and learners who play different roles in the discussion forum have a significant difference in their final grades. Our results can enable faculties to improve the curriculum and use online learning forums more effectively, such as increasing the number of teacher assistants (TAs) participating in the discussion forum, encouraging students to check the discussion forum regularly and post their learning feelings or questions.