A FORÇA DOS LAÇOS SOCIAIS NA CONSTITUIÇÃO DE UMA COMUNIDADE VIRTUAL DE APRENDIZAGEM

Abstract

This paper is part of the studies that are beingimplemented in the distance learning area, focusing thevirtual learning communities (VLC). The VLC emerges froma social network mediated by the computer. A social networkis composed by actors and their connections, linked throughsocial ties. The social ties are understood as the effectiveinteraction between participants in a relationship. Thus, thisstudy has the purpose of mapping the social network in adiscussion forum, in order to understand the VLC in aformal distance learning environment. The methodologyinvolves articulation between the content analysis of themessages and the structure of the social net, which has beenmapped using the AGNA software.

Index Terms - distance learning, virtual learningcommunities, social network.