The Network Profile Summary: exploring network science through the lens of student motivation
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Complex Networks
Abstract
Productive learning environments strike a balance between student motivation and the necessary learning outcomes associated with a particular course. This article explores one way to achieve such a balance and discusses some of the subtle benefits that spring from that balance. We designed a network science course that achieves course objectives and at the same time allows students to develop, test, and monitor a network of their own choosing. Rather than use canned networks, we introduce a set of assignments called the Network Profile Summary in which students continually apply newly learned course concepts to their selected networks and are therefore able to realize the utility and place of these concepts. This course design fosters student motivation and encourages independent learning. Under this pedagogical paradigm, students began to see coursework, concepts and feedback as productive and globally meaningful rather than corrective and locally meaningful.
Description
item.page.type
journal-article
item.page.format
Keywords
Network Profile Summary
Citation
Ralucca Gera, Jessica M Libertini, Jonathan W Roginski, Anthony Zupancic, The Network Profile Summary: exploring network science through the lens of student motivation, Journal of Complex Networks, Volume 6, Issue 3, July 2018, Pages 470–484, https://doi.org/10.1093/comnet/cnx040