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Comparing Friends and Peer Tutors Amidst COVID-19 Using Social Network Analysis

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  • Nurul Zahirah Abd Rahim

    (Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
    Department of Mathematics, College of Computing, Informatics and Media, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Melaka Branch, Jasin Campus, Merlimau 77300, Melaka, Malaysia)

  • Nurun Najwa Bahari

    (Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Nur Syaza Mohd Azzimi

    (Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Zamira Hasanah Zamzuri

    (Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Hafizah Bahaludin

    (Department of Computational and Theoretical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan 25200, Pahang, Malaysia)

  • Nurul Farahain Mohammad

    (Kampung Oren, Ulu Tiram, Johor Bahru 81800, Johor, Malaysia)

  • Fatimah Abdul Razak

    (Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia)

Abstract

COVID-19 has drastically changed the teaching patterns of higher education from face-to-face to online learning, and it has also affected students’ engagement socially and academically. Understanding the nature of students’ engagement during online learning can help in identifying related issues so that various initiatives can be implemented in adapting to this situation. In this study, social network analysis is conducted to gain insights on students’ engagement during COVID-19. Directed and weighted networks were used to visualize and analyze friendship as well as peer tutor networks obtained from online questionnaires answered by all students in the class. Contrasting friends and peer tutors reveals some hidden interactions between students and shines some light on dynamics of the online learning community. The results indicate that, popular and important peer tutors may not be high achievers and thus possibly contributing to the spread of misinformation in the online learning community. By comparing weighted indegree and betweenness centrality values, we suggest approaches to cultivate a healthy online learning community. This study highlights the use of social network analysis to assist and monitor students’ engagement and further formulate strategies in order to make the class a conducive online learning community, particularly in the advent of online learning in higher education institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Nurul Zahirah Abd Rahim & Nurun Najwa Bahari & Nur Syaza Mohd Azzimi & Zamira Hasanah Zamzuri & Hafizah Bahaludin & Nurul Farahain Mohammad & Fatimah Abdul Razak, 2023. "Comparing Friends and Peer Tutors Amidst COVID-19 Using Social Network Analysis," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:11:y:2023:i:4:p:1053-:d:1073892
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zuraida Abal Abas & Mohd Natashah Norizan & Zaheera Zainal Abidin & Ahmad Fadzli Nizam Abdul Rahman & Hidayah Rahmalan & Ida Hartina Ahmed Tharbe & Wan Farah Wani Wan Fakhruddin & Nurul Hafizah Mohd Z, 2022. "Modeling Physical Interaction and Understanding Peer Group Learning Dynamics: Graph Analytics Approach Perspective," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-18, April.
    2. Tea Pavin Ivanec, 2022. "The Lack of Academic Social Interactions and Students’ Learning Difficulties during COVID-19 Faculty Lockdowns in Croatia: The Mediating Role of the Perceived Sense of Life Disruption Caused by the Pa," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-11, January.
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