Social Networking Analysis as a Learning Analytics Tool for Asynchronous Online Forums: Case Study of Students' Participation Using Canvas Forum and WhatsApp Messaging

This study investigates the application of Social Network Analysis (SNA) as a Learning Analytics (LA) tool to understand student interaction patterns within a health science course using Canvas forums and WhatsApp groups. This case study explores how distinct platforms contribute to learning outcomes in response to the observed increase in student success rates following the COVID-19 lockdown. Results from the SNA reveal notable differences: WhatsApp, with a network density of approximately 0.28 and a higher degree of centrality, promotes frequent and informal peer interactions, fostering a collaborative environment. In contrast, Canvas shows a lower network density (≈0.19), emphasizing structured, task-oriented discussions aligned with formal academic goals. Degree and betweenness centrality metrics highlight key students as central figures in each network, with WhatsApp displaying multiple communication hubs, while Canvas has fewer central participants, typically instructors or high-performing students. These findings underscore the complementary roles of WhatsApp and Canvas, suggesting that integrating formal and informal platforms can enhance student engagement and academic performance. The participants n=15 completed the course. This study provides educators with actionable insights on using SNA and LA to monitor engagement, target interventions, and support asynchronous learning environments effectively.