Assessing Learning Networks: Using Network-based Methods to Conceptualize, Measure, and Tell the Story of Your Community

3:45-4:35 p.m.

Location: Warhol A

Type: Informative/panel Interactive

Audience: Linked Courses, Coordinated Studies, Living Learning Communities, Residential Colleges

Presenters: Rachel Smith, Iowa State University

"Community" can be conceptualized as patterns of relationships, or networks, that shape students' meaning-making. Focusing on what drives students' relationship network formation and the educational outcomes such networks are associated with allows us to more intentionally shape environments to facilitate learning. However, most learning community assessment measures focus on individual behaviors, experiences, and outcomes. This session will draw on examples of social network analysis (SNA) based assessments of learning communities for students exploring majors to help you examine the relational mechanisms you use to form community, practice network-based assessment methods, and apply findings from network-based assessment to strengthen your learning community's subsequent development. Participants will gain a basic understanding of SNA, develop a network assessment activity for use with their LC students, and depart with a toolkit for further network-based assessment applications.