Title :
The Design and Evaluation of a Peer Ratings System for Online Learning Communities
Author :
Thoms, Brian ; Garrett, Nathan ; Ryan, Terry
Author_Institution :
Social Learning Software Lab., Claremont Grad. Univ., Claremont, CA, USA
Abstract :
In this paper we explore the idea that ratings systems, common across successful e-commerce sites, can better engage individuals in online learning networks. To test this we implement a ratings system as a mechanism for influencing social interaction in our university´s online learning community (OLC). Our research measures the impact this system had on five graduate courses over the course of two semesters. Our research also provides insight into how user-driven content can provide input into other systems, such as a recommender system to aid in fostering new online social connections.
Keywords :
computer aided instruction; educational technology; information networks; social aspects of automation; OLC; e-commerce sites; online learning communities; online learning community; online learning networks; peer ratings system; social interaction; Collaborative software; Educational institutions; Information services; Information technology; Internet; Online Communities/Technical Collaboration; Peer to peer computing; Recommender systems; System testing; Web sites;
Conference_Titel :
System Sciences (HICSS), 2010 43rd Hawaii International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Honolulu, HI
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-5509-6
Electronic_ISBN :
1530-1605
DOI :
10.1109/HICSS.2010.370