SNAPP is a tool that provides simple visualizations of student interactions and relationships using social network analysis to assist with interpreting learning networks and evaluating the impact of activities. It does not require access to the learning management system database or administrative rights by using a bookmarklet for data collection. SNAPP aims to identify creativity in students by mapping network centrality measures like betweenness and closeness to monitor a learner's creative capacity over time. However, further work is needed to incorporate content analysis and discourse to understand the quality of exchanges and reasons connections are formed.

1. SNAPP: Just a small step
Shane Dawson
Shane.dawson@unisa.edu.au
Twitter: @shaned07

2. Introduction
• SNAPP a quick history
• An overview
• Measuring creativity
• Need to bring in content analysis

3. More intuitive
visualisations
Connections

4. Report overload

5. Tool usage
Identified what tools are used across an
institution
- Content page & discussion forum

6. • Social Networks Adapting Pedagogical Practice
• Focus on student relationships (learning
networks)
• Simple visualizations to assist with interpretation
and evaluate impact of activities
SNAPP

7. But no access to LMS database
- Bookmarklet
SNAPP

8. SNAPP
• No need to access database
• No need for Admin rights (installation of a
bookmark)
• Broad accessibility and compatibility
• Fast delivery mechanisms – focus on simplicity

9. SNAPP

10. SNAPP

11. SNAPP
Forum 1 Forum 2

12. SNAPP
Forum 1 Forum 2
Visualisations for
interpretation

13. • Can we identify creativity in development or
only as an outcome/product?
• Social networks?
Creativity

14. Ronald Burt
“…see early and more broadly”
Communication
Problem solving
Translators of information
Burt, R. (1992). Structural holes: The social structure of competition. Cambridge, Mass:
Harvard University Press.
Creativity

15. Bridging structural holes
Creativity

16. Student cognitive playfulness and creativity
Mapping network centrality measures
- Betweenness
- Closeness
- Degrees
Dawson, S., Tan, J. P. L., & McWilliam, E. (2011). Measuring creative potential: Using social
network analysis to monitor a learners' creative capacity. Australasian Journal of Educational
Technology, 27(6), 924-942.
Creativity

17. Creativity

18. Self-reported high levels of creativity – brokers in the
network
• How does this translate to future graduate qualities?
• Creativity within the workplace?
Creativity

19. Missing
Discourse analysis
Assessment of the
quality of exchanges
Understanding of why
connections formed