Investigating Interactive Behaviors in Online Community of Inquiry Using Social Network Analysis

Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to study the interactive behaviors of learners in the online community of inquiry, and then proposed the strategies of intervention teaching from the perspective of the community of inquiry (COI) theory, for teachers to design learning activities suitable for learners. The research adopted the method of social network analysis to analyze 623 posts of the online community of inquiry, which were generated by 54 first-year graduate students during one semester of learning science and technology on the Knowledge Forum6 platform. The features of learners' social network structure were extracted, and from the three dimensions of network structure, centrality and cohesion subgroup, founding that s2, s12, s3 and s4 were the core members of the network, able to initiate topics and communicate with others actively, master more learning resources and have a great influence in the community. However, s13 and s43 were fringe members who spoke little in the community and were easily overlooked. From the perspective of the COI theory, this paper put forward several teaching intervention strategies.