The following is a summary of Engaging Students in Scientific Activity and
Scientific Controversy
by Cavalli-Sforza, Gabrys, Lesgold and Weiner (1992 - 1993?) Proceedings (?): Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC), U of Pittsburgh
Summary
The paper deals with the development of a computer based system that
addresses the authors' view that there is a gap between what is being taught
in science classrooms and "real-life" scientific activity. They state,
"Missing from the science classroom is the idea of science as a process that
includes both experimental and theorising activity, both individual and
collaborative work, both solitary reasoning and reflection and dialectical
argument with peers in formal and informal settings". The paper focuses on
presenting a tentative architecture for such a system and it briefly
discusses the components that are already under development. These
components include; display and participating in a scientific controversy,
graphical display of a controversy and underlying arguments and interacting
with the argument. The knowledge representation technique used is a hybrid
mapping system which incorporates all of spatial location, link-based and
node-based system mapping devices (using the terminology of Lambiotte,
Dansereau, Cross and Reynolds; "Multirelational Semantic Maps"). The system
also incorporates a knowledge base called the Resource Center which contains
all the available information in the domain of study. There is a system
component which actively aids users in engaging in a scientific argument.
The paper ends with a comparison to related work, a description of the
current status of the work and conclusions
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