Ela Castellanos-Reyes

Also known as: Ela Castellanos-Reyes; Daniela Castellanos Reyes

community of inquiry, social presence, online learning, network analysis, social networking sites, meta-analysis, learning analytics

Dr. Castellanos-Reyes is an Assistant Professor in Learning, Design, and Technology at North Carolina State University. She received her PhD and Master's degrees in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University. Dr. Castellanos-Reyes approaches her research with the belief that online and distance learning improve women's lives, and ultimately society. She is an educational researcher within the fields of instructional design, online learning, and learning analytics. Her research focuses on supporting online learners' social presence through network analysis. Specifically, Dr. Castellanos-Reyes is interested in how peer-influence shapes learning communities in online learning environments. Her recent work examines the relationship between student retention and social media affordances (e.g., like buttons) in Massive Open Online Courses. Dr. Castellanos-Reyes' methodological expertise includes network analysis, survey research, and hierarchical linear models. Her work has been published in Computers in Human Behavior, the Journal of Computing in Higher Education, and TechTrends. Her work has been supported by National Academy of Education, the Spencer Foundation, and the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) and the Frank DeBruicker Graduate Award in Educational Technology. Prior to her doctoral studies, Ela earned her B.A. in English Philology and English Education from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia.

Works (46)

Updated: March 29th, 2025 05:05

2025 journal article

Transforming online learning research: Leveraging GPT large language models for automated content analysis of cognitive presence

The Internet and Higher Education, 65, 101001.

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes, L. Olesova & A. Sadaf

author keywords: Cognitive presence; Online learning; Artificial intelligence in education; Automated content analysis; Discussion boards; Large language models; GPT
topics (OpenAlex): Online Learning and Analytics; Online and Blended Learning; Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods
Sources: NC State University Libraries, Web Of Science, Crossref
Added: March 2, 2025

2024 conference paper

Creating Diverse Data Science Learning Pathways with the ADAPT Model

IUSE Summit. Poster presented at the IUSE Summit, Washington, DC.

By: S. Byun, R. Levy, S. Jiang, D. Castellanos-Reyes & J. McClure

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2024 conference paper

Educational Leadership Beyond the Classroom: Charting Your Course

NC Annual Hispanic/Latino Professional Educators Summit. Presented at the NC Annual Hispanic/Latino Professional Educators Summit.

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2024 conference paper

Enhancing Open Educational Resources Sustainability and Impact: A Longitudinal Study Using Learning Analytics

American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting. Presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes & D. Wiley

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2024 conference paper

Generative AI for Content Analysis of Discussion Board Text Data

Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting. Presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting, Kansas City, Kansas, USA.

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes, L. Olesova & A. Sadaf

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2024 conference paper

Impact of Debt Avoidance on Retention and Completion Rates of Bachelor’s Degree at 4-year public institutions

National Center for Education Statistics Data Institute. Presented at the National Center for Education Statistics Data Institute, Washington, D.C.

By: F. Abbas, G. Chu, C. Forney, D. Castellanos-Reyes, B. Williams & X. Zhang

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2024 conference paper

Learning Analytics in Community of Inquiry Research

Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting. Presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting, Kansas City, Kansas, USA.

By: S. Caskurlu, K. Kozan, J. Lim & D. Castellanos-Reyes

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2024 conference paper

Systematic Review on the Affordances and Use of AI in Online Teaching for Higher Education

Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting. Presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting, Kansas City, Kansas, USA. https://virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/public/4164/submission/811

By: M. Zhuang, S. Long, F. Martin & D. Castellanos-Reyes

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2024 journal article

The Impact of OER’s Continuous Improvement Cycles on Students’ Performance: A Longitudinal Analysis of the RISE Framework

The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 25(4), 128–147.

topics (OpenAlex): Higher Education Learning Practices; Educational Assessment and Pedagogy; Education Systems and Policy
Sources: NC State University Libraries, ORCID, Crossref
Added: February 24, 2025

2024 journal article

The evolution of social presence: A longitudinal exploration of the effect of online students' peer-interactions using social network analysis

The Internet and Higher Education, 61, 100939.

author keywords: Social presence; Longitudinal network analysis; Interaction; Online learning; Influence; SAOM
topics (OpenAlex): Online and Blended Learning; Impact of Technology on Adolescents; Online Learning and Analytics
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
4. Quality Education (Web of Science)
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries, Crossref, ORCID
Added: April 29, 2024

2024 article

Transforming Online Learning Research: Leveraging GPT Large Language Models for Automated Content Analysis of Cognitive Presence

Castellanos-Reyes, D., Olesova, L., & Sadaf, A. (2024, May 28).

topics (OpenAlex): Online and Blended Learning; Online Learning and Analytics; Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
4. Quality Education (OpenAlex)
Source: ORCID
Added: March 28, 2025

2024 article

Transforming Online Learning Research: Leveraging GPT Large Language Models for Automated Content Analysis of Cognitive Presence

Castellanos-Reyes, D., Olesova, L., & Sadaf, A. (2024, May 28).

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes, L. Olesova & A. Sadaf

topics (OpenAlex): Topic Modeling; Online Learning and Analytics
Source: ORCID
Added: March 28, 2025

2024 conference paper

Visualizing Interaction Patterns Within Practical Inquiry Model (PIM) Through Social Network Analysis (Poster 8)

AERA 2024. Presented at the AERA 2024.

By: L. Olesova*, H. Choi, D. Castellanos-Reyes, A. Sadaf, S. Gant & L. Cabrales

topics (OpenAlex): Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods; Online and Blended Learning; Educational Games and Gamification
Sources: NC State University Libraries, Crossref
Added: March 2, 2025

2023 conference paper

Exploring social presence and influence in online students: A longitudinal network analysis

International Network for Social Network Analysis - SUNBELT. Poster presented at the International Network for Social Network Analysis - SUNBELT, Portland, OR, USA.

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes & J. Richardson

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2023 conference paper

Impact of an Open Online Repository to Support Online Teaching and Learning: The Users' Perspective

Proceedings of the 2023 AERA Annual Meeting. Presented at the 2023 AERA Annual Meeting.

By: J. Richardson, D. Castellanos-Reyes, S. Janakiraman & S. Duha

topics (OpenAlex): Online Learning and Analytics; Open Education and E-Learning; Online and Blended Learning
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
4. Quality Education (OpenAlex)
Sources: NC State University Libraries, Crossref
Added: March 2, 2025

2023 conference paper

Implementation of scaffolding in higher education

EDEN 2023 Annual Conference – Digital Learning Europe. Presented at the EDEN 2023 Annual Conference – Digital Learning Europe, Dublin, Ireland.

By: J. Richardson, S. Caskurlu, D. Castellanos-Reyes, H. Fiock & M. Duha

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2023 conference paper

Social presence over time: A social learning analytics approach

Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting. Presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, USA.

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes & J. Richardson

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2023 conference paper

The Evolution of Social Presence: Longitudinal Network Analysis of Students' Peer Influence in Online Learning

AERA 2023. Presented at the AERA 2023.

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes* & S. Gant

topics (OpenAlex): Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Sources: NC State University Libraries, Crossref
Added: March 2, 2025

2023 article

The Impact of OERs’ Continuous Improvement Cycles on Students’ Performance: A Longitudinal Analysis of the RISE Framework

Castellanos-Reyes, D., Salamanca, S. C., & Wiley, D. (2023, November 3).

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes, S. Salamanca* & D. Wiley

topics (OpenAlex): Online Learning and Analytics; Open Education and E-Learning
Source: ORCID
Added: March 28, 2025

2023 journal article

The i-SUN process to use social learning analytics: a conceptual framework to research online learning interaction supported by social presence

FRONTIERS IN COMMUNICATION, 8.

author keywords: interaction; social presence; social learning analytics; network analysis; conceptual framework; online learning; distance education; social network analysis (SNA)
topics (OpenAlex): Online and Blended Learning; Online Learning and Analytics; Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods
TL;DR: A conceptual framework to make SLA accessible for researchers investigating learners' interactions in online learning and offers a unique perspective to online learning researchers and practitioners by focusing on the social and pedagogical implications of applying network analysis to understand online learning interaction. (via Semantic Scholar)
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries, Crossref
Added: September 5, 2023

2022 conference paper

Analyzing problem-solving using process data and transitional networks: The case of Colombia and Singapore

Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Learning Analytics and Knowledge (LAK’22). Presented at the 12th International Conference on Learning Analytics and Knowledge (LAK’22), New York, NY.

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes, K. Chartier & J. Richardson

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: October 19, 2023

2022 conference paper

Learning Analytics for Continuous Improvement: An Instructional Design Perspective

Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting. Presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. https://convention2.allacademic.com/one/aect/aect22/

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes, S. Caskurlu, D. Ifenthaler, C. Ocak, K. Staudt Willet & D. Wiley

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2022 chapter

Mobile learning in emergency situations: Four design cases from Latin America

In V. Dennen, C. Dickson-Deane, X. Ge, D. Ifenthaler, S. Murthy, & J. Richardson (Eds.), Global Perspective on Educational Innovations for Emergency Solutions (1st ed., pp. 89–98).

Ed(s): V. Dennen, C. Dickson-Deane, X. Ge, D. Ifenthaler, S. Murthy & J. Richardson

topics (OpenAlex): Educational Innovations and Technology; Mobile Learning in Education; E-Learning and Knowledge Management
Sources: NC State University Libraries, NC State University Libraries
Added: October 12, 2023

2022 conference paper

Purdue Repository for online Teaching and Learning (PoRTAL): Developing and Implementing OERs to Guide Excellence in Online Teaching

20th Hawaii International Conference on Education. Presented at the 20th Hawaii International Conference on Education, Hawaii, USA.

By: J. Richardson, W. Huang, J. Alsup, D. Castellanos-Reyes & M. Duha

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2022 conference paper

Researching Online Learning Interaction using Social Learning Analytics: A Conceptual Framework

American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting. Roundtable presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, USA. https://convention2.allacademic.com/one/aera/aera22/

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes, S. Ramoutar & J. Richardson

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2022 conference paper

Scaffolding in Online Higher Education Courses: Insights from Faculty

American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting. Roundtable presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, USA. https://convention2.allacademic.com/one/aera/aera22/

By: J. Richardson, S. Caskurlu, D. Castellanos-Reyes, S. Duan, M. Duha, H. Fiock, Y. Long

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2022 conference paper

Students’ Peer Influence of Social Presence in Online Learning: A Longitudinal Study

Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting. Poster presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. https://convention2.allacademic.com/one/aect/aect22/

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes, J. Richardson, Y. Maeda & A. Koehler

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2022 journal article

The Impact of COVID-19 on Education: A Meta-Narrative Review

TechTrends, 66(5), 883–896.

topics (OpenAlex): COVID-19 and Mental Health; Educational Innovations and Technology; Technology-Enhanced Education Studies
Sources: Crossref, NC State University Libraries, ORCID
Added: October 7, 2023

2022 journal article

The Process of Developing a Digital Repository for Online Teaching Using Design-Based Research

TechTrends, 67(2), 217–230.

topics (OpenAlex): Open Education and E-Learning; Online Learning and Analytics; E-Learning and Knowledge Management
TL;DR: The purpose of this paper is to share the DBR process that the PoRTAL team used to develop an OER repository within an HPT model for Designing Digital Repositories. (via Semantic Scholar)
Sources: Crossref, NC State University Libraries, ORCID
Added: October 7, 2023

2022 conference paper

The Relationship between Cognitive Presence in Online Learning and Students’ Learning and Satisfaction: A Meta-Analysis

Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting. Presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. https://convention2.allacademic.com/one/aect/aect22/

By: S. Caskurlu, J. Richardson, Y. Maeda & D. Castellanos-Reyes

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 10, 2025

2021 chapter

Investigating intentionality in pre-service teachers’ personal and professional social networking site usage.

In M. Griffin & C. Zinskie (Eds.), Social Media: Influences on Education. Social Media: Influences on Education. Information Age Publishing.

By: A. Koehler, E. Besser & D. Castellanos-Reyes.

Ed(s): M. Griffin & C. Zinskie

Source: ORCID
Added: March 28, 2025

2021 journal article

Instructors’ conceptualization and implementation of scaffolding in online higher education courses

Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 34(1), 242–279.

topics (OpenAlex): Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods; Education and Critical Thinking Development; Online and Blended Learning
TL;DR: This multiple case study explores how instructors conceptualize and employ scaffolding in online courses and showed that instructors' conceptualization and implementation of scaffolding differed based on their discipline and teaching philosophy, and the unique features of online courses. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
4. Quality Education (OpenAlex)
Sources: ORCID, Crossref, NC State University Libraries
Added: October 4, 2023

2021 journal article

Introduction to the Special Issue: Highlighting AERA's Online Teaching and Learning SIG 2021

Online Learning (OLJ). https://publons.com/wos-op/publon/53916959/

Contributors: D. Castellanos-Reyes, J. Richardson & K. Swan

Source: ORCID
Added: October 9, 2023

2021 journal article

Introduction to the Special Issue: Highlighting AERA’s Online Teaching and Learning SIG 2021

Online Learning, 25(4).

topics (OpenAlex): Online and Blended Learning
Source: Crossref
Added: February 24, 2025

2021 chapter

Investigating intentionality in preservice teachers’ personal and professional social networking site usage

In M. Griffin & C. Zinskie (Eds.), Social Media: Influences on Education (pp. 33–64). Information Age Publishing.

By: A. Koehler, E. Besser & D. Castellanos-Reyes.

Ed(s): M. Griffin & C. Zinskie

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: October 19, 2023

2021 journal article

The dynamics of a MOOC's learner-learner interaction over time: A longitudinal network analysis

Computers in Human Behavior, 123, 106880.

Contributors: D. Castellanos-Reyes*

topics (OpenAlex): Online Learning and Analytics; Online and Blended Learning; Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
4. Quality Education (OpenAlex)
Sources: ORCID, Crossref, NC State University Libraries
Added: October 4, 2023

2021 chapter

The relationship between social network sites and perceived learning and satisfaction for educational purposes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

In M. Griffin & C. Zinskie (Eds.), Social Media: Influences on Education (pp. 231–263). Information Age Publishing.

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes, Y. Maeda & J. Richardson

Ed(s): M. Griffin & C. Zinskie

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: October 19, 2023

2021 chapter

The relationship between social network sites and perceived learning and satisfaction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

In M. Griffin & C. Zinskie (Eds.), Social Media: Influences on Education. https://www.infoagepub.com/products/Social-Media

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes, Y. Maeda & R. J.C

Ed(s): M. Griffin & C. Zinskie

Source: ORCID
Added: March 28, 2025

2020 journal article

20 Years of the Community of Inquiry Framework

TechTrends, 64(4), 557–560.

Contributors: D. Castellanos-Reyes*

topics (OpenAlex): Online and Blended Learning; Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods; E-Learning and Knowledge Management
Sources: ORCID, Crossref, NC State University Libraries
Added: October 4, 2023

2020 report

Authentic Learning

In Purdue Repository for online Teaching and Learning – PoRTAL. https://www.purdue.edu/innovativelearning/download/authentic-learning/

By: M. Yang & D. Castellanos-Reyes

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: October 19, 2023

2020 journal article

Introduction to the Special Issue: Highlighting AERA’s Online Teaching and Learning SIG 2020

Online Learning, 24(4), 1–4.

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes, J. Richardson* & K. Swan*

topics (OpenAlex):
Source: Crossref
Added: October 12, 2023

2020 chapter

Socratic Seminar

In R. Kimmons (Ed.), The Students's Guide to Learning Design and Research. https://edtechbooks.org/studentguide/socratic_seminar

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes

Ed(s): R. Kimmons

Source: ORCID
Added: October 4, 2023

2018 report

21st Century Skills and Online Learning

In Purdue Repository for online Teaching and Learning – PoRTAL. https://www.purdue.edu/innovativelearning/download/21st-century-skills-and-online-learning/

By: S. Janakiraman & D. Castellanos-Reyes

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: October 19, 2023

2018 report

Instructor Role Adjustment

In Purdue Repository for online Teaching and Learning – PoRTAL. https://www.purdue.edu/innovativelearning/download/instructor-role-adjustment/

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes & J. Richardson

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: October 19, 2023

2018 report

Readiness to Teach Online

In Purdue Repository for online Teaching and Learning – PoRTAL. https://www.purdue.edu/innovativelearning/download/readiness-to-teach-online/

By: D. Castellanos-Reyes, J. Richardson & H. Fiock

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: October 19, 2023

2018 report

Teamwork.

In Purdue Repository for online Teaching and Learning – PoRTAL. https://www.purdue.edu/innovativelearning/download/teamwork/

By: A. Koehler, S. Hanakiraman & D. Castellanos-Reyes

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: October 19, 2023

Employment

Updated: June 29th, 2023 20:53

2023 - present

North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina, US
Assistant Professor Teacher Education and Learning Sciences

2017 - present

Purdue University West Lafayette, IN, US
Research Assistant Curriculum and Instruction

Education

Updated: October 4th, 2023 15:43

2019 - 2023

Purdue University IN, IN, US
PhD Learning Design & Technology (Curriculum and Instruction)

2017 - 2019

Purdue University West Lafayette, IN, US
M.S. Learning Design and Technology Curriculum and Instruction

Funding History

Funding history based on the linked ORCID record. Updated: October 4th, 2023 15:49

award July 1, 2022 - July 1, 2023
The Spread of Social Presence: Longitudinal Network Analysis Modeling of Students’ Peer Influence in Online Learning
Spencer Foundation

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