Engineering Social Networks Using the Controllability Approach Applied to E-learning

In our previous research we focused on the analysis and further utilization of social networks for E-Learning in industrial settings. The existence of implicit social networks in E-Learning setups has been investigated [4], [5], demonstrated [9], [14] and used [12], [13]. We started investigating the influence of the social network position of a trainee / trainer (tutor) in E-Learning in [9], [12]. In the research provided in [12], some light was shed on the dependencies between the factors underlying E-Learning processes within an organization and the final outcomes of these processes. A theoretical framework for measuring correlations between the social context, communication and knowledge improvements of the trainees in an industrial environment was proposed. The analysis in [12] shows that enhancement of the communication between tutors and trainees within the social network is recommended in order to improve the learning outcome. For this purpose, we investigate how experiences gained elsewhere with applied control theory could be used in our industrial setting.