Does social software fit for all? Examining students’ profiles and activities in collaborative learning mediated by social software

• Jari Laru , LET – Learning & Educational Technology Research Unit, University of Oulu, Snellmania, Finland
• Piia Näykki , LET – Learning & Educational Technology Research Unit, University of Oulu, Snellmania, Finland
• Sanna Järvelä , LET – Learning & Educational Technology Research Unit, University of Oulu, Snellmania, Finland

In this study the dependencies between higher education students’ profiles, activities, and learning outcomes in collaborative learning -- as mediated by social software -- were examined. Although the sample size in this study was small (n=22), Bayesian Dependency Modeling method provided statistically viable insight. The results show that learners who were active reflectors in their blogs, but who were also interested in what others achieved, obtained the best results in knowledge tests. Based on the analysis, two distinct learner profiles that reflect differences in the students’ dependencies can be distinguished: monitor and reflector. Furthermore, an indirect dependencies found in the analysis suggests that both reflectors and monitors are also active wiki editors and participants in face-to-face discussions. Further qualitative analyses are needed in order to get an in-depth view of the complex interactions and dependencies within and between the face-to-face and virtual, but also individual and social, planes of collaboration.
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