Monitoring Students Learning Networks Dynamics in Higher Education

This paper describes a model to monitor the evolution of a learning network in higher education settings through the analysis of the value created in terms of intellectual capital, described as human, social and structural capital. The dynamics of the network will be mapped looking at reports elaborated by learners and tutors during the research projects of an International Master's Program, organised in mobility for a small period of time. An enquiry and action based learning format challenged students to complete e-business projects, where industry and academic testimonials acted as mentors. The residential nature of the course ensured full participation of tutors and learners at all stages of the project. In addition, patterns of networking activity differed between project stages. Methods and tools of Social Network Analysis are applied to understand the network evolution and the emergence of new relationships starting from the initial learning community. Preliminary results indicate that high attainment students developed a larger number of external connections with potential stakeholders in different industries. The more outwardly connected a students was, the higher was his/her final score and the less dense was his/her friendship network.