ERIC Number: EJ979686
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Oct
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0266-4909
EISSN: N/A
Promoting Argumentation in Primary Science Contexts: An Analysis of Students' Interactions in Formal and Informal Learning Environments
Simon, S.; Johnson, S; Cavell, S.; Parsons, T.
Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, v28 n5 p440-453 Oct 2012
The paper reports on the outcomes of a study that utilized a graphical tool, Digalo, to stimulate argumentative interactions in both school and informal learning settings. Digalo was developed in a European study to explore argumentation in a range of learning environments. The focus here is on the potential for using Digalo in promoting argumentative interactions of students in primary science, first, in a school-based context of students investigating and learning about electricity, and second, in a hands-on science discovery centre where students are interacting with different scientific phenomena. Data sources included observations of students using Digalo in the two contexts and the resultant Digalo maps. Analysis of observations focused on students' engagement and interactions, and of Digalo maps in terms of the process and content of argumentation. A previously developed level system was used to evaluate the process of argumentation. The study has revealed some limitations of Digalo as a teaching resource, but has provided insights into ways in which students build their knowledge with the help of Digalo as they interact with each other and with scientific phenomena. (Contains 1 table and 3 figures.)
Descriptors: Persuasive Discourse, Maps, Educational Resources, Hands on Science, Informal Education, Educational Environment, Foreign Countries, Science Education, Science Curriculum, Science Instruction, Information Technology
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A