Abstract:

Workers use social infrastructure known as networks in their everyday jobs to solve work-related issues. Networks, in this case, can be defined as a platform of social partnerships among workers that reveals the transfer of knowledge in their workplace. Hence, it is vital to understand how workers develop knowledge through these networks. This paper attempts to propose a conceptual framework to study networked learning in the workplace by examining how workers build connections through their networks and their learning interests. The framework deploys a multi-method design to triangulate and contextualise the findings. The research design of this study is tailored to address the two main research questions. It deploys analytic methods such as social network analysis and text analysis to understand learning interactions and learning needs respectively. The paper discusses the methodology approach that could be used to implement to address the research questions. The paper also presents a few conceptual examples of expected outcomes to demonstrate how to gain insights into the use of social network analysis and text analysis.

Keywords:

Networked Learning, Social Network Analysis, Text Analysis, Learning Interactions, Learning Needs.