Argumentation and text-based conferencing

This paper focuses on the use of computer mediated communication (cmc), specifically text-based asynchronous conferencing. It reports on two small scale studies which investigated its use as a medium for developing students’ argumentation skills. The first study focused on a postgraduate distance program in Applied Linguistics whilst the second study focused on an undergraduate distance program in Health and Social Welfare. Both programs were delivered by the Open University, UK and students represented a diverse population with regard to age, ethnicity, educational achievement and geographical location. The paper discusses the use of a linguistic framework to investigate how teachers and diverse communities of students are using cmc to develop new ways of exchanging views on academic ideas and issues. Argumentation…