Journal Article

Using learning analytics to explore peer learning patterns in asynchronous gamified environments

Moon, Jewoong, Edmonds, Christopher Thomas, Noroozi, Omid, McNeill, Laura, Banihashem, Seyyed Kazem

2024

Overview

This study explored the dynamics of students' knowledge co-construction in an asynchronous gamified environment in higher education, focusing on peer discussions in college business courses. Utilizing epistemic network analysis, sequence pattern mining, and automated coding, we analyzed the interactions of 1,319 business students. Our findings revealed that externalization and epistemic activity were prevalent, demonstrating a strong link between problem-solving and conceptual understanding. Three primary discussion types were observed: argumentative, epistemic, and social, each with unique patterns of engagement and idea integration. Effective knowledge co-construction patterns included open-ended questions with an epistemic focus, debates serving as intense knowledge co-construction arenas, and social interactions fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment. The introduction of gamification elements led to increased student engagement and participation. Our findings emphasize the significance of structured analysis, collaboration, and argumentation in promoting effective knowledge co-construction in peer learning settings. This study offers insights into the temporal interplay of discourse dimensions and their potential for collaborative learning, enhancing our understanding of how learning analytics can be employed to discover ways in which students co-construct knowledge in asynchronous gamified environments.

• Publisher: Springer International Publishing,Springer Nature B.V,SpringerOpen
• Subject: Analytics / Argument structure / Argumentation / Asynchronous gamified environments / Business education / Business students / Collaboration / Collaborative learning / College students / Colleges & universities / Computer Appl. in Social and Behavioral Sciences / Computer Science / Computers and Education / Conceptual knowledge / Cooperative learning / Educational Environment / Educational Technology / Epistemic network analysis / Epistemology / Gamification / Higher Education / Humanities / Information Systems Applications (incl.Internet) / Knowledge / Knowledge co-construction / Law / Learner Engagement / Learning / Learning analytics / Learning environment / Network analysis / Pattern analysis / Peer learning / Peers / Problem solving / Research Article / Social interaction / Statistics for Social Sciences / Student participation / Students / Technological Innovations for Facilitation of Peer Learning Processes and Outcomes