Forum posts, communication patterns, and relational structures: A multi-level view of discussions in online courses

Interpersonal online interactions are key to digital learning pedagogies and student experiences. Researchers use learner log and text data collected by technologies that mediate learner interactions online to provide indicators about interpersonal interactions. However, analytical approaches used to derive these indicators face conceptual, methodological, and practical challenges. Existing analytical approaches are not well aligned with the theories of digital learning, lack rigor, and are not easily replicable. To address these challenges, we put forward a multi-level framework linking indicators of individual posting with group-level communication and emergent relational structures. We exemplify the use of the framework by analyzing twenty online and blended courses. Empirical insights demonstrate how indicators at these three levels relate to each other and to potential instructor decisions. Our conclusion highlights current gaps in the framework and the areas for future work.