Antonina Ivanova, Galina Momcheva - Social Network Analysis as a Technology-Enhanced Learning tool - overview of learning and research practices at Varna Free University | VocTEL 2015

1. www.vfu.bg www.vfu.bg/cs fb.com/cs.vfu

2. www.vfu.bg/cs
www.facebook.com/cs.vfu
Social Network Analysis as a
Technology-Enhanced Learning tool -
overview of learning and research
practices at Varna Free University
Antonina Ivanova, Galina Momcheva

3. Abstract
• Social Network Analyses (SNA) is actually widely used
topic in a number of courses in our university supporting
project-oriented approaches and using research in
learning.
• The article represents the research of applying social
network analysis to public groups in social networks in
order to visualize and analyze the levels of influences.
• In the collaborative research activities are involved
members of the Department of Computer Science and
students from Master Degree Programs in Digital
Marketing & Web Design and International Business
Project Management.

4. Some Definitions
• Social network analysis (SNA) is a strategy for
investigating social structures through the use
of network and graph theories. It characterizes
networked structures in terms of nodes (individual
actors, people, or things within the network) and
the ties or edges (relationships or interactions) that
connect them.
• SNA measures and maps the flow of relationships
and relationship changes between knowledge-
possessing entities.

5. VFU and SNA
• Varna Free University uses cutting edge approaches
in learning processes
• Technology-enhanced learning is supported on all
levels in university
• Using SNA in different courses students are
stimulated to research specific relations in public
groups
• Students develop projects

6. VFU and SNA
• Varna Free University offers courses based on the
Social Network Analysis for bachelor and master
programs
• The courses use social network analysis, both its
theory and computational tools, to make sense of
the social and information networks that have been
fueled and rendered accessible by the internet.
• Each course observes SNA according to the
corresponding program

7. SNA Courses
Degree Program Course
Bachelor Business
Administration
Social Network
Analysis in
Business
Management
Master Digital Marketing
&Web Design
Social network
analysis
Master International
Business Project
Management
Social network
analysis

8. Research Topics
• Network Dynamics in various application fields:
Innovation, technology transfer, academic cooperation
(co-author networks)
• Identifying strategic and influential connections
• Dynamic teams research
• Gathering information about the structure of the network
• Researching information flow and resource exchange
• Identifying cliques or subgroups of actors
• Potential coalitions, cut-points

9. Software tools
• Visualize
• Collaborate
• Explore
• NodeXL

10. Examples and students’ work

11. Examples and students’ work

12. Courses benefits
• Collaborative Learning Techniques
• Project Based Learning
• Teamwork
• Interdependence
• Small & balanced groups
• Sharing responsibility
• Mutual help & advice
• Risk/initiative-taking
• Incentive-based group tasks

13. SNA in Semantic Web

14. www.vfu.bg/cs
www.facebook.com/cs.vfu
Social Network Analysis as a
Technology-Enhanced Learning tool -
overview of learning and research
practices at Varna Free University
Antonina Ivanova, Galina Momcheva