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The Development of Autonomous Student Learning Networks: Patterns of Interactions in an Open World Learning Environment for Teachers Exploring Teaching with and through Computer Science

Author

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  • Gerald Ardito

    (School of Education, Manhattanville College, New York, NY 10577, USA)

  • Betül Czerkawski

    (Department of Applied Technology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85635, USA)

Abstract

This pilot case study sought to investigate patterns of interactions between learners and their instructor in a teacher education course called “Computer Science for Teachers”. This course was constructed to leverage aspects of open world game design elements in order to investigate the effects of degrees of autonomy in gameplay/learning. This course was conducted in a specially built social learning platform based on Elgg software. Student interactions with the instructor and other students in this course were analyzed to determine the learning networks students constructed during each key learning activity as well as the epistemic spaces defined by these interactions. Descriptive statistics along with social network analysis (SNA) and epistemic network analysis (ENA) were used to investigate these data. The findings indicate that more traditional/less open world gaming type learning activities were associated with learning networks and epistemic spaces that were teacher-centered and narrower, while more open world gaming/high levels of autonomy (student-centric) learning activities were associated with learning networks that were highly decentralized and epistemic spaces that featured students asking and answering questions of/for one another. These findings were consistent with existing research into player behavior in open world type games and learner behavior in settings with high levels of autonomy support. Implications for further research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerald Ardito & Betül Czerkawski, 2021. "The Development of Autonomous Student Learning Networks: Patterns of Interactions in an Open World Learning Environment for Teachers Exploring Teaching with and through Computer Science," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:8696-:d:608113
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eric Bettinger & Jing Liu & Susanna Loeb, 2016. "Connections Matter: How Interactive Peers Affect Students in Online College Courses," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(4), pages 932-954, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhuoyao Cui & Haochen Yang, 2023. "From Game Elements to Active Learning Intentions: Exploring the Driving Factors in Digital Learning Platforms," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, November.

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