Research on the Relationships of Interactions in Connectivist Learning Based on Social Network Analysis

Connectivist learning is gradually becoming the main online learning form. Interaction is the foundation, process, and result of connectivist learning. It is the key to success in learning. This study aims to explore the networked relationships and action mechanism among interactions. Methods of content analysis and social network analysis are used to analyze the text data generated by learners in Module 4 of the first Chinese cMOOC course and the following conclusions are obtained. Innovation interaction plays an important role in the formation of the interaction network mainly playing the role of outward expansion. Sensemaking interaction occupies the position of the broke and assumes the role of bridging Wayfinding interaction and Innovation interaction. Wayfinding interaction is located at the edge of the network and it plays a role in promoting the generation of Sensemaking. In addition, there is a certain recursion between the three-type interactions reflected in their structural similarity. This study provides support for research related to connectivist interaction and provide guidance for teachers to design, implement, and optimize the connectivist courses.