LEARNER-CENTERED NETWORKS UNRAVELED: ANALYZING INTERACTION MODELS IN COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

Abstract

In collaborative environments, social networks emerge due to interdependencies and interactions among actors and their partners. As collaboration advances, participant behaviors become interdependent, leading to profile variations that influence partner profiles. These interactions eventually culminate in the formation of relationships termed "ties," which can be strong, weak, or dissolved over time. Various activities, such as university course projects, arise from these ties, creating observable interactions in the network. This article explores the evolution of networks and learner interdependence within them, particularly focusing on learning-related interactions in educational settings. This survey article presents a comprehensive classification of networks and interaction models among learners. It delves into structural characteristics, illustrating how learners engage within these networks. The paper is organized into sections that progressively detail different network types: ego networks, duocentric networks, triadic networks, and scale-free networks. Comparative analysis across these models further enhances our understanding. By comprehensively categorizing these networks, this article contributes valuable insights for students, instructors, and curriculum developers seeking to comprehend learner dynamics and interactions in collaborative learning scenarios.