ERIC Number: EJ854107
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Dec
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1556-1607
EISSN: N/A
Putting the Pieces Together: Online Argumentation Vee Diagrams Enhance Thinking during Discussions
Nussbaum, E. Michael; Winsor, Denise L.; Aqui, Yvette M.; Poliquin, Anne M.
International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, v2 n4 p479-500 Dec 2007
We examine the effect of online Argumentation Vee Diagrams (AVDs) on the quality of students' argumentation during asynchronous, online discussions. With AVDs, students develop arguments on both sides of a controversial issue and then develop an integrated, overall final conclusion. In this study, students used AVDs individually before composing discussion notes, and then--at the end of the discussion--jointly created a group AVD using "Wiki" technology. Compared to a control group, the experimental intervention was found to significantly enhance the integration of arguments and counterarguments (specifically, compromises) and fostered opinion change. For AVDs to be effective, however, it was found to be necessary to include specific scaffolds on how to evaluate argument strength and/or to provide practice and feedback in using the AVDs.
Descriptors: Feedback (Response), Control Groups, Persuasive Discourse, Visual Aids, Controversial Issues (Course Content), Experimental Groups, Scaffolding (Teaching Technique), Discussion Groups, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills, Educational Technology, Computer Assisted Instruction, Computer Mediated Communication, Electronic Publishing, Internet, Asynchronous Communication, Computer Software, Cooperative Learning, Instructional Effectiveness
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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
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A