The Study on the Roles in the Practical Applying Oriented Asynchronous Collaborative Learning Network

Abstract

Asynchronous collaborative learning network (ACLN) makes the process of collaboration learning more convenient. In ACLN there are various roles, e.g., group leader, group member including positive member and negative member etc. They play different parts in group learning, especially each person. This work explored how the personal member enact relationship in the regular collaborative learning and influence the direction of the group, and how their interaction is enabled and constrained by personal role. This study considers four aspects of ACLN: the design, cohesion, roles and power network structures. The design is evaluated by the Social Interdependence Theory of Cooperative Learning. The network structures are analyzed by Social Network Analysis of the response relations among participants during online discussions. After analyzing data for three years from one ACLN academic university courses, we found that the knowledge construction process reached the setting aim and developed cohesive cliques in ACLN.