TY - JOUR
T1 - Leveraging epistemological diversity through computer-based argumentation in the domain of probability
AU - Abrahamson, D.
AU - Berland, M.W.
AU - Shapiro, R.B.
AU - Unterman, J.W.
AU - Wilensky, U.
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - The paper is a case study of technology-facilitated argumentation. Several graduate students, the first four authors, present and negotiate complementary interpretations of a diagram generated in a computer-simulated stochastic experiment. Individuals use informal visual metaphors, programming, and formal mathematical analysis to ground the diagram, i.e., to achieve a sense of proof, connection, and understanding. The NetLogo modeling-and-simulation environment (Wilensky, 1999) serves to structure the authors' grounding, appropriating, and presenting of a complex mathematical construct. We demonstrate individuals' implicitly diverse explanatory mechanisms for a shared experience. We show that this epistemological diversity, sometimes thought to undermine learning experiences, can, given appropriate learning environments and technological fluency, foster deeper understanding of mathematics and science.
AB - The paper is a case study of technology-facilitated argumentation. Several graduate students, the first four authors, present and negotiate complementary interpretations of a diagram generated in a computer-simulated stochastic experiment. Individuals use informal visual metaphors, programming, and formal mathematical analysis to ground the diagram, i.e., to achieve a sense of proof, connection, and understanding. The NetLogo modeling-and-simulation environment (Wilensky, 1999) serves to structure the authors' grounding, appropriating, and presenting of a complex mathematical construct. We demonstrate individuals' implicitly diverse explanatory mechanisms for a shared experience. We show that this epistemological diversity, sometimes thought to undermine learning experiences, can, given appropriate learning environments and technological fluency, foster deeper understanding of mathematics and science.
M3 - Article
VL - 26
SP - 39
EP - 55
JO - For the Learning of Mathematics
JF - For the Learning of Mathematics
ER -