Using social network analysis to investigate students' collaboration patterns in eMUSE platform

Social network analysis can be used to investigate collaboration in learning networks, which can be modeled as social graphs. We have already proposed a conceptual framework for knowledge extraction and visualization from a social media-based learning environment, starting from specific educational needs identified by the instructors. In the current paper, we experimentally validate this framework on our eMUSE social learning platform. In particular, we investigate students' collaboration patterns in a project-based learning scenario. Social network analysis techniques are used to extract knowledge regarding specific differences in blog vs. microblog support, as well as intra-team vs. inter-team collaboration; several salient students and teams are also analyzed in more detail.