A Characterization of Social Networks for Effective

Communication and Collaboration in Computing Education

Gerald C. Gannod and Kristen M. Bachman

Dept. of Computer Science and Software EngineeringMiami University, Oxford OH

http://mlearning.muohio.edu/mlcTwitter: @miami_mlearning

2

Introduction

• Social networks (SN) are extremely popular– Twitter, Facebook, G+ boast millions of

users

http://ex.pn/LExZsy

• Gaining use in the workplace– P&G, Best Buy, Deloitte, Dow Chemical,

IBM, SAP, Accenture, Microsoft, IBM, HP, Eli Lilly…

3

Contributions

• Identify common modes of communication in social networks

• Characterize how these modes can be used in an education setting

• Suggest how different genres of communication can be aided by social networks

4

Social Networks• In the workplace

– DiMicco et al. indicate that SN used to strengthen “weak ties” at IBM

– Asunda argues SN improve networking, collaboration, information sharing, etc.

• In education– Junco et al. found an

increase in engagement when Twitter used for discussions, etc.

– Ellison et al. found students used SN to maintain “bridging” social capital (e.g., strengthening weak ties)

5

Our Experience

• Goals– Increase engagement between stakeholders

of the course• Student/Faculty, Student/Student,

Student/Customer

– Decrease e-mail usage Decrease repetition

– Support inverted (i.e., flipped) classroom

• Google Plus used for this work– Used Twitter and Facebook in the past

6

Social Network Features

• Status updates

• Commenting

• Positive Reinforcement

• Social Tagging

• Linking

• Video Teleconferencing

• IM Support

• Document Support

• Video Support

• Recipient Filtering

7

8

Uses

• Status Updates as Broadcasts– Reminders

– Assignment announcements

– Commentaries and hints

– Content sharing

9

Uses• Questions, Answers,

and Comments– Ask First

– Search First

– Consult (SN) First

• Ideal case: students address questions by consulting the SN first and discussing issues with colleagues

10

Social Networks and Communication Genres

• Situational Learning• Effective

communication occurs within context

• Carter et al. – genres of software engineering– Workplace

scenarios

• Several modes of communication in SN fall within workplace scenarios

11

Example: Requirements

12

Observations

• Students familiar with the technology

• Potential for cheating

• Students adept at writing short, well-articulated messages benefitted the most

• Engaged participants derived more utility than disengaged

13

Recommendations

• If you plan on using social media– Establish guidelines for using social

media• In what ways are the different modes going

to be used?

– Define an acceptable use policy• What are is allowed and what is not allowed

–Model desired behavior and usage• Be an active participant within the social

network

14

Future Work

• Formally study engagement and achievement– Ask, Search, Consult behaviors and

performance

• Weak ties/Social capital versus Engagement when social network is integrated into course activities