Prof. Boran Wang
Foreign Studies College, Northeastern University, China
Title: A Study on the Interactive Behavior in the Discussion Forum of College English MOOCs Based on Social Network Analysis
Abstract:
As an Internet-based learning and communication space, the interaction between people in MOOCs is no longer a simple linear process, but a complex network phenomenon. To study this phenomenon, this research adopts social network analysis (SNA) from sociology, and analyzes a large amount of interactive data generated in the discussion forum of a college English course on the Chinese University MOOC platform --- iCourse. On a macro level, the overall properties and trends of changes at various stages of the interaction network are explored, and on a micro level, the centrality of individuals is analyzed. Finally, based on the analysis results, the existing problems and strategic suggestions for the social interaction in college English MOOCs are proposed.
Key words: college English MOOC; interaction behavior; social network analysis
Biography:
Wang Boran, PhD, professor of Foreign Studies College, Northeastern University, China, excellent teacher of Liaoning Province, director the National First-class Undergraduate Course, leading talent of Shenyang City, Secretary General of College Foreign Language Teaching Guidance Committee of Liaoning Province, and Executive Vice Dean of Liaoning Translation Society. His major research interests are psycholinguistics, foreign language education, translation theory and practice, and teaching materials design. He has published more than 90 papers, 4 academic monographs, and edited more than 50 national planning textbooks and supplementary teaching materials. Besides, he has presided over or participated in more than 60 national, provincial and ministerial scientific research and teaching reform projects, among which he has presided over one project of the National Social Science Fund and one project of the Humanities and Social Science Fund of the Ministry of Education.