Using log variables in a learning management system to evaluate learning activity using the lens of activity theory

As the advance of learning technologies and analytics tools continues, learning management systems (LMSs) have been required to fulfil the growing expectations for smart learning. However, the reality regarding the level of technology integration in higher education differs considerably from such expectations or the speed of advances in educational technologies. This research aimed to evaluate the current activation levels and usage patterns of a LMS. A large data-set was analysed, which included the online activity information from 7940 courses. Through data pre-processing, general indicators reflecting login frequencies of the virtual campus and activity-based indicators presenting the activation patterns of diverse functions provided by Moodle were derived. Activity theory was applied to interpret the results of analysis, since it has been recognised as a powerful framework to understand phenomena encompassing interactive systems. Further, time-series investigation over three consecutive semesters allowed observation of historical changes. The results revealed considerably low use of the virtual campus with only slight changes, as well as significantly different activity patterns across course attributes and colleges. Contradictions among components in the activity system are discussed, along with the implications for improving teaching and learning with LMS in higher education.     

WebIntera-classroom: an interaction-aware virtual learning environment for augmenting learning interactions

Interaction is critical for successful teaching and learning in a virtual learning environment (VLE). This paper presents a web-based interaction-aware VLE – WebIntera-classroom – which aims to augment learning interactions by increasing the learner-to-content and learner-to-instructor interactions. We design a ubiquitous interactive interface that integrates a pen-and-paper interface with a web-based whiteboard to promote effective learner-to-content interactions. We develop a learning analytics tool that instantly shows learners’ learning interactions, with which instructors can supervise learner-to-instructor interactions. We implement a high-granularity Learning Analytics Engine (hgLAE) to broadcast, record and play a lecture recording. The hgLAE identifies hotspots in a lecture recording and raises students’ awareness of the hotspots when they watch the recording. WebIntera-classroom has been deployed in 11 universities in China. The system obtained high satisfaction in the questionnaires (N?=?464) and face-to-face interviews (N?=?60) conducted with the users from China Jiliang University. We compared the students’ performance, respectively, achieved in traditional classroom and in WebIntera-classroom at China Jiliang University during 2012–2013. The result demonstrates that the students could gain performance improvement by using WebIntera-classroom.     

How does collaboration affect researchers’ positions in co-authorship networks?

Collaboration usually has a positive effect on researchers’ productivity: researchers have become increasingly collaborative, according to recent studies. Numerous studies have focused on enhancing research collaboration by recommendation technology and measuring the influence of researchers. However, few studies have investigated the effect of collaboration on the position of a researcher in the research social network. In this paper, we explore the relationships between collaboration and influence by social analytical methods, which are pertinent to analyzing the network structure and individual traits. We evaluate three aspects of the researchers’ influence: friendship paradox validation, social circle, and structure of a researcher's ego network. Furthermore, the ”six degrees of Bacon number” theory, generalized friendship paradox, and triadic closure theory are introduced to support our analysis. Experimental results show that collaboration can help researchers increase their influence to some extent.     

智慧科研:让管理更科学——精细化自然科学基金项目管理新思维

本文针对传统的国家自然科学基金(以下简称科学基金)项目管理方式在项目管理各阶段呈现的问题,提出了一种科学基金项目管理的新思维,即从经验式到精细化的科学基金项目管理方案。其基本原理是用数据说话,即基于优质数据的科学化管理。具体包括:如何从科学文献库中检索和收集科研成果数据、如何全面分析科研成果数据和如何智能辅助科学基金项目管理各个环节的管理决策。这一思路的应用将有效提升科学基金项目管理的效能,提高科学基金的使用效益。     

Eye tracking technology to audit google analytics: Analysing digital consumer shopping journey in fashion m-retail

Rapid changes in digital consumer behaviour, influenced by exponential adoption of smartphones, require timely and sophisticated responses from retailers to these consumer needs. With a growing amount of big data available, fashion retailers need to innovate and develop more sophisticated analytics for new consumer behaviours such as m-commerce. This research has considered how Google Analytics data can be applied to develop customer journey maps to understand digital consumer behaviour. A multi-method research design was used, incorporating an innovative mobile eye tracking technology and mobile fashion consumer data from Google Analytics. Digital customers’ shopping journeys on the fashion retailer’s website were mapped using data sourced from eye tracking and Google Analytics, gathered in parallel. The comparison of these shopping journeys allowed a critical evaluation of the precision and usefulness of the Google Analytics database. Google Analytics tracked only half of the digital users’ activities, whereas eye tracking data documented digital consumers’ interaction with all elements of the fashion retailer’s website. The conclusion reached is that eye tracking can be used to audit the Google Analytics database for potential gaps in data and also to inform and improve marketing decision-making.     

The dynamic effect of interactivity on customer engagement behavior through tie strength: Evidence from live streaming commerce platforms

Interactivity, which is a key characteristic of the live streaming commerce environment, fosters users’ active attitudes and behaviors in communications and transactions. However, the literature on live streaming commerce, is scarce, and few studies examine how interactivity influences customers’ non-transactional behaviors from a dynamic perspective. In this setting, based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework, we developed a research model using real-time data to investigate the dynamic effect of interactivity on customer engagement behavior through tie strength in live streaming commerce, which is a relatively new derivative of social commerce. This study developed a text mining method to quantify constructs using a large-scale sample of 3,500,445 online review texts. Our empirical study found that interactivity has a curvilinear relationship with customer engagement behavior. Besides, tie strength plays an intermediary role between interactivity and customer engagement behavior. It was further observed that both tenure of membership and popularity have an important moderating relationship between interactivity and tie strength. The study enriches the relationship marketing theory and live streaming commerce literature. Moreover, this study is one of the first studies to use real-time online data for live streaming commerce research.     

Fifty years of information management research: A conceptual structure analysis using structural topic modeling

Information management is the management of organizational processes, technologies, and people which collectively create, acquire, integrate, organize, process, store, disseminate, access, and dispose of the information. Information management is a vast, multi-disciplinary domain that syndicates various subdomains and perfectly intermingles with other domains. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the information management domain from 1970 to 2019. Drawing upon the methodology from statistical text analysis research, this study summarizes the evolution of knowledge in this domain by examining the publication trends as per authors, institutions, countries, etc. Further, this study proposes a probabilistic generative model based on structural topic modeling to understand and extract the latent themes from the research articles related to information management. Furthermore, this study graphically visualizes the variations in the topic prevalences over the period of 1970 to 2019. The results highlight that the most common themes are data management, knowledge management, environmental management, project management, service management, and mobile and web management. The findings also identify themes such as knowledge management, environmental management, project management, and social communication as academic hotspots for future research.     

A Study of Learning Behavioral Engagement in Live Teaching

Based on the related theories and research results of learning behavioral engagement, this study constructed an evaluation framework of learning behavioral engagement in live teaching, which included 24 indicators in three dimensions: compliance with norms, learning participation and social participation. A small-class live English learning for younger students on the ClassIn was taken as a case study program. Five younger students attended this English learning course of 16 lessons totaling 950 minutes. The preset indicators were preliminarily examined based on the teaching records and the recorded course data. Then, experts in the field of educational technology were invited to develop the learning behavioral engagement dimensions and indicator weightings by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process, and to determine the evaluation indicator system for the evaluation of learning behavioral engagement. Finally, based on this framework, the characteristics of learning behavioral engagement of the case course were analyzed, and the influences of students’ individual factors, teaching and environmental factors on learning behavioral engagement in live teaching were investigated.     

面向群体智能塑造未来教育:一项重要研究课题

群体智能指群体在完成一系列不同任务时表现出的综合能力,是面向未来复杂情境中跨学科、综合型任务解决过程必不可少的关键要素。教育现代化进程中的群体智能教育是面向未来培养公民信息素养、合作能力、问题解决能力的重要载体和实现目标。文章基于当前研究领域中对群体智能基本概念的辨析和探索,从国际视野出发,剖析基于不同的技术手段对群体智能教育的探索和实践,提出教育信息化时代中国教育领域中进一步强化群体智能教育、推动"五育并举"、促进培养复合型人才的可行路径。