Mapping alternative discourse structures onto computer conferences

Abstract

The ubiquity of asynchronous discussion boards makes them a key knowledge-building tool in online learning courses. However, online discussions are often less focused than necessary because learners lack skills in analysis, argumentation, and other rhetorical skills. Rhetorical skills can be scaffolded in online discussion boards by constraining the kinds of comments that learners can contribute to the discussion. We describe a system for imposing different discourse structures onto conversations in order to scaffold different forms of reasoning and some preliminary research findings.