Monitoring Collaborative Interactions in Online Learning: Insights from Moodle Log Records

Authors

  • Anuradha Peramunugamage The Open university of Sri Lanka https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4769-6503
  • Uditha W Ratnayake Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
  • Shironica P. Karunanayaka Department of Secondary and Tertiary Education, Faculty of Education, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1995-8828
  • Ellen Francine Institute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Carlos, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3275-2293
  • William Simão de Deus Institute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Carlos, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7540-3742
  • Chulantha L Jayawardena Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5589-349X
  • R. K. J. De Silva Department of Textile and Apparel Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9941-8711

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v12i2.1554

Keywords:

Moodle, Vector Space Model (VSM), collaborative learning, online interactions, learning analytics, online learning

Abstract

Interactions among students in online learning environments are difficult to monitor but can be crucial for their academic performance. Moodle is one of the best and most popular online learning platforms, where its log records can reveal important information on students’ engagement and the respective performance. This study examines the degree of student participation and performance in online collaborative content creation activities, based on three iterative testing cycles: systematically designed Moodle forum discussions, group assignments, Wikis and Moodle workshops, specifically to obtain peer feedback. The abovementioned collaborative Moodle content creation and corresponding log record analysis was executed for four modules conducted at two higher education institutions from Sri Lanka and Brazil. Regression analysis on log records and student performance on four modules indicated a positive correlation, with R2 values between 26% and 43.8%. A significant amount of data which remained unexplained were subjected to the Vector Space Model (VSM) data mining algorithm to uncover in-depth information. The results, indicating substantial influence on student performance by participation in online collaborative activities, provided vital insights into necessary improvements on instructional design. Accordingly, promoting productive student interactions could be significant in online learning environments, and the findings of this study underscore the importance of utilising the learning analytics data driven approaches to elevate student performance.

Author Biographies

Anuradha Peramunugamage, The Open university of Sri Lanka

Anuradha Peramunugamage is an OWSD fellowship 2020 recipient and a PhD student at The Open University in Sri Lanka. She has over fifteen years of professional experience in information systems, learning management systems, and educational technologies. She earned a BSc (Hons) in Information Technology from the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology in 2004 and an MSc in Information Management from the same institution (2007). She obtained her MPhil in Educational Technologies at the University of Colombo School of Computing, Sri Lanka (2020). Her research interests include educational technology, blended learning, e-learning, mobile learning, Open Educational Resources (OER) and engineering education. Email: anuradhaperamunugamage@gmail.com (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4769-6503)

Uditha W Ratnayake, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

Uditha W. Ratnayake is a Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka. She graduated from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (1994) specialising in Computer Science and Engineering. She obtained her PhD in IT from Murdoch University, Australia in 2004. Her research interests are data mining, artificial intelligence techniques (Neural networks, Agent technology), and OER based e-learning. Email: udithaw@ou.ac.lk (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2178-9261)

Shironica P. Karunanayaka , Department of Secondary and Tertiary Education, Faculty of Education, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala.

Shironica P. Karunanayaka is a Senior Professor in Educational Technology Department of Secondary and Tertiary Education, Faculty of Education, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. She is a former Dean of the Faculty of Education and a former Head of the Department of Secondary and Tertiary Education at OUSL. Her key research focus is in the areas of Information and Communication Technologies in Education, Learning Experience Design, Open Educational Resources and Open Educational Practices. Email: spkar@ou.ac.lk (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1995-8828)

Ellen Francine , Institute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Carlos, Brazil

Ellen Francine Barbosa is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICMC-USP), Brazil. She received her PhD in Computer Science from ICMC-USP. During her PhD, she was also a visiting scholar at the Georgia Institute of Technology and at the University of Florida, USA. Her main research interests are related to CS education and training, Open Education Resources, mobile learning, educational data mining, and augmented and virtual reality. A list of her main publications can be found on Lattes Platform: http://lattes.cnpq. br/7913302545613108. Email: francine@icmc.usp.br (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3275-2293)

William Simão de Deus, Institute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Carlos, Brazil

William Simão de Deus received his Technologist and MSc degrees from the Federal Technological University of Paraná, Cornélio Procópio, Brazil, in 2015 and 2018, respectively. He is a professor at the Federal Institute of Paraná (IFPR) and received his PhD from the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Sciences (ICMC) at the University of São Paulo (USP). He has been a visiting researcher at the University of Virginia (UVA) and his experience and research interests lie at the intersection of Education and Software Engineering, with a focus on teaching and learning computer programming and software development, including Open Educational Resources and Computer Science Education. Email: williamsimao@usp.br (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7540-3742)

Chulantha L Jayawardena, Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Chulantha L. Jayawardena is a Professor at the Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. He has a Bachelor’s in Earth Resources Engineering and a PhD in Earth Sciences and is involved in teaching, research and academic administration in engineering while experimenting with technology enabled distance learning strategies in challenging environments. Email: chulanthaj@uom.lk (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5589-349X)

R. K. J. De Silva, Department of Textile and Apparel Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

R.K.J. de Silva is a Senior Lecturer and an academic researcher at the Department of Textile and Apparel Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. She obtained her BSc in Engineering in Textile and Clothing from the University of Moratuwa. She received her PhD in Industrial Management in a split-site program at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, and the Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. She has taught pattern technology, garment technology, and 2D CAD in apparel for twelve years. She had industry experience in the same field before joining academia and is passionate about innovative teaching, learning, and assessment methods. Email: Jayamalide@uom.lk (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9941-8711)

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Published

2025-07-25

How to Cite

Peramunugamage, A., Ratnayake, U., Karunanayaka, S., Francine, E., Simão de Deus, W., Jayawardena, C., & De Silva, J. (2025). Monitoring Collaborative Interactions in Online Learning: Insights from Moodle Log Records. Journal of Learning for Development, 12(2), 290–312. https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v12i2.1554

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2025): ISSUE 2

Section

Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Anuradha Peramunugamage, Uditha W Ratnayake, Shironica P. Karunanayaka , Ellen Francine , William Simão de Deus, Chulantha L Jayawardena, R. K. J. De Silva

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Received 2024-06-21
Accepted 2025-05-15
Published 2025-07-25