The Design and Evaluation of a Peer Ratings System for Online Learning Communities

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.