Who is speaking? Who is listening? A Network Approach in Analyzing Communication Structures and Social Construction of Knowledge in Online Asynchronous Discussion Forums

Abstract

Network plays a central role in the knowledge construction formed from the interactions and collaboration of online learners in asynchronous discussion forums. The very nature of networks to form connections, relationships, and links uncovers unique and wider opportunities for online learners to create higher levels of knowledge the more they interact and collaborate with each other. The opportunities to construct knowledge among online learners elevate as the connections and links formed from interacting with each other widen and enlarge reach. This study employed multi-analysis methodologies, with Social Network Analysis as the primary research approach, in combination with Interaction Analysis Model (IAM) and Cluster Analysis to uncover and understand connections, links, patterns, and structures formed from online interactions (speaking and listening) that may influence the social construction of knowledge that occurred in the online discussion forums. This paper suggests that the network structures of online interactions (speaking and listening), both in terms of posts contributed and posts viewed, have potential influence on the knowledge construction of online learners based on the results of the study.