Article Abstract

	Title:	Evaluation of communication in web-supported learning communities – an analysis with triangulation research design
	Author:	Andreas Harrer, Sam Zeini, Niels Pinkwart
	Address:	Collide Research Group, University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Engineering, 47048 Duisburg, Germany. ' Collide Research Group, University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Engineering, 47048 Duisburg, Germany. ' HCI Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh PA, USA
	Journal:	International Journal of Web Based Communities 2006 - Vol. 2, No.4  pp. 428 - 446
	Abstract:	In current educational practice, web-based environments are an established means to support learning scenarios. In the study presented in this article, we use them as supporting tools for presence-learning scenarios and investigate the effects of electronic communication forms in this environment. Following the idea of triangulation, we utilised qualitative methods, statistical analysis and Social Network Analysis. Qualitative methods were used to classify the usage types of communication in Wiki and discussion forums. Based on these categories, we selected project groups with maximal variance of their communication behaviour and conducted Social Network Analysis to explore communication structures in detail. This research design is supported by the fact that no single communication form proved to be superior: combined usage produced better results with respect to the final scores. We concluded that more aspects of the respective communication forms should be taken into account to be able to compare them properly.
	Keywords:	web-based communication; presence-learning scenarios; community portals; evaluation; triangulation design; social network analysis; SNA; web based communities; wikis; discussion forums.
	DOI:	10.1504/IJWBC.2006.011768
		Purchase this Paper         Comment on the Paper