Designing a Peer Support System for Computer Programming Courses Using Online Social Networking Software

In this paper we explore the design and preliminary evaluation of an online peer-to-peer support system for higher education. Our software utilizes existing online social networking (OSN) software to provide students with a multi-dimensional peer-to-peer support structure. More specifically, this research introduces an innovative expansion to online course learning software that enhances communication based on a student´s course activity including course grades and technical abilities. We measure the impact of our system across introductory computer programming courses, taken by traditional college students. Initial survey data was positive and while overall levels of agreement fell between pretest and posttest surveys, the majority of students responded favorably to the new system.