Presentation at UCIS `96
"Using Complex Information Systems"
Cognitive, Ergonomic, Educational Aspects
Univ. Poitiers, France, 4.-6.9.1996


 
 

DisNet - A Model of Discursive Networking

© Julean A. Simon, David C. Wohlhart

Extended Abstract

DisNet is a "multi user domain"; i.e. an environment for structured communication and collaborative working, learning and playing. It conforms with the basic idea of hypersystems in that it allows for representing context as a linked, nonlinear knowledge structure integrating multiple data types. Additionally DisNet integrates the common capabilities of hypersystems (i.e. representation, browsing, retrieval) with features supporting the generation and differentiation of contextual relations. "Discursive Networking" attempts to organize collaborative learning and working as an open discourse and to represent the development-process of a context as a networking of semantical units on the basis of their relations. The context which is continuously differentiated by collaborators in a group-project is accessible by them on different levels: these are represented as graphical domains of interaction, which are coupled structurally; the "Context Domain" organizes the context in a 2D- or 3D-space as a semantic network, allows user-centered navigation, aids the orientation in the contextual network and its structuring. In the "Content Domain" a sophisticated multi-field representation-tool supports the editing and browsing of contextual components. The environment is highly user-definable due to the modularity of the system; distributed maintenance of the contextual space as well as of the system is supported: beyond the authority over the content the student is given the responsibility for the organization and maintenance of the environment which intends to motivate a conscious and self-responsible participation. The pedagogical goals aim at improving argumentative preciseness, acquisition of analytical and integrative competencies and developing awareness of knowledge-relations. We understand that a main feature catalyzing learning is the feedback between mutually stimulating interactions, such as orientation, interpretation, reuse, differentiation, extension, etc. In the paper we will describe the approach, provide an overview of the main system features and elaborate our understanding of context generation with DisNet.
 


CONTENT

    1. Requirements
      1.1 Project Background
      1.2 Pedagogical Considerations
      1.3 System Requirements
    2. The DisNet Model
      2.1 Objects
      2.2 GUI
      2.3 Modularity and Configurability
    3. Generating Context with DisNet
    4. Conclusion
    References

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