Reasoning

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Reasoning conversing
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Objectives

• Introduce some tools for reasoning
• Review the nature of arguments
• Introduce some basic concepts in logic
• Consider communication for problem solving
• Review asynchronous synchronous communication
  tools

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Tools for reasoning

• Expert systems
• Take the place of a human expert
• Draw conclusions based on data and rules
• Argumentation analysis
• Support human reasoning
• Provide guidance and support for validity

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Expert Systems

• Database systems declarative (factual)
  knowledge
• Expert systems declarative and procedural
  knowledge
• emulate the reasoning of human experts and draw
  conclusions
• Components
• knowledge base
• facts rules
• inference engine
• search techniques to apply the facts and rules to
  draw conclusions and advise on action
• user interface
• requesting and accepting information
• presenting conclusions and explanations

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Expert Systems in the classroom

• Culminating activity
• summarising facts
• developing rules
• organising knowledge
• Assistance with complex activities
• substitute for human expert or books
• Diagnostic aid

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Systems that learn

• Expert systems
• Built by knowledge engineers
• Obtain rules from experts
• Neural networks
• Built to learn adaptively
• Develop patterns based on examples

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Argument

• an argumentation debate.
• a matter of contention.
• a process of reasoning series of reasons.
• a statement or fact tending to support a point.
• an abstract or summary of the chief points in a
  book or sections of a book.
• Computers a datum or value used while
  transferring information from part to part of a
  program
• Macquarie dictionary

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A good argument will have

• a thesis that declares the writer's position on
  the problem at hand
• an acknowledgment of the opposition that nods to,
  or quibbles with other points of view
• a set of clearly defined premises that illustrate
  the argument's line of reasoning
• evidence that validates the argument's premises
• a conclusion that convinces the reader that the
  argument has been soundly and persuasively made.
• http//www.dartmouth.edu/compose/student/ac_paper
  /logic.html

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Argumentation problem solving

• Argumentation making claims with justifications
  using evidence
• Especially important for ill-structured problems
• Coherent arguments to justify solutions
• Requires problem solvers to
• Identify alternative perspectives
• Develop select preferred solution
• Support solution with data evidence
• David Jonassentiger.coe.missouri.edu/jonassen/Ar
  gumentation.pdf

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Logical fallacies to be avoided

• Hasty generalization
• Either/or fallacy
• Non sequitur
• Ad hominem
• Red herring

• Circular reasoning
• Begging the question
• False analogy
• Post hoc, ergo propter hoc
• Equivocation

http//www.dartmouth.edu/compose/student/ac_paper
/logic.html
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Formal (Aristotelian) logic

• System of rules for valid reasoning
• Includes formal structures - syllogisms
• Deductive
• From general to particular
• Inductive
• From particular to general
• Arguments can be logically valid but untrue

All women are brilliant My wife is a
woman Therefore, my wife is brilliant
http//www.dartmouth.edu/compose/student/ac_paper
/logic.html
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Toulmins logic - rational argumentation

• a CLAIM is made
• GROUNDS (DATA), i.e., facts to support it, are
  offered
• a WARRANT for connecting the grounds to the claim
  is conveyed
• BACKING, the theoretical or experimental
  foundations for the warrant, is shown
• appropriate MODAL QUALIFIERS (some, many, most,
  etc.) temper the claim and
• possible REBUTTALS are considered.
• http//www.concentric.net/Creyn266/COMM335/Toulmi
  n.htm

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Supporting reasoning

• Cho Jonassen
• Argumentation scaffolds improved student argument
  generation
• Transferred to other activities
• Reason!Able
• Supports analysis of arguments
• Improves student understanding of argument
• Improves argument development

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Conversation and learning

• Not all learning is individual
• Social constructivism
• Socially negotiated meaning
• Knowledge is shared
• Learning can occur through discourse
• Collaborative knowledge building

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Computer conferencing tools

• Synchronous
• Real-time
• Accessing at the same time
• Asynchronous
• Delayed
• Accessing at different times

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Synchronous tools

• Text-based chat
• Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
• ICQ, AOL, MSN, etc.
• MUDs, MOOs
• Graphic support
• Whiteboards, file transfer
• WebCT, BlackBoard, etc.
• Video
• Netmeeting, CUSeeMe, etc.

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Using synchronous tools

• Needs focus and structure
• Advantages
• Immediacy
• Limitations
• Distraction is easy
• Tendency to be social

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Asynchronous tools

• E-mail (one to one)
• Direct to address
• Bulletin boards (one to many)
• Posted to public area
• Conferencing (many to many)
• Shared access space

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Using asynchronous tools

• Time to compose message or response
• More considered, reflective
• More focused less social than synchronous
• Supports extended work in small groups
• Mutual support networks
• Some systems provide scaffolding
• Provision for exchange of files
• Benefits from moderation