Effect of three network visualizations on students' social?cognitive engagement in online discussions

Social learning analytics (SLA) tools are designed to visually demonstrate online discussions with a goal foster student engagement. However, empirical studies indicate controversial results of the effect SLA on This design-based research designs student-facing tool from three perspectives and further uses mixed methods investigate effects tool. Results have positive influences increasing social-cognitive The social network visualization has both socially active inactive students; it particularly increases peripheral students' topic improves all perspective expressions, indicating that demonstrating interested topics may increase cognitive triggers information sharing, which is considered as beginning engagement development. Based results, this proposes integrated implications by considering theory, pedagogical supports Practitioner notes What already known about turn data into actionable insights Network-oriented, content-oriented process-oriented major approaches. Extant paper adds via visualizations. examine show Implications for practice and/or policy Design needs consider learner agency, disposition characteristic in local context. Instructors should deliberately guide students reflect demonstrated Future design make integrate multiple analytic varied ways.