Title: Evidence-Based Reasoning and Reporting
Performer(s):
Roger Schank, Chris Riesbeck
Northwestern University
Institute for Learning Science
1890 Maple Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
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Cluster: EAGIL
Contact Information:
Phone: 708-491-7279
Fax: 708-491-5258
email: riesbeck@ils.nwu.edu
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1. Instructional Focus:
Content areas/topics: History/ social studies, geology,
math, foreign policy.
Process skills: Problem solving, statistical reasoning, evaluation.
2. Target Population: High school students in mathematics, social studies/current events, and earth sciences. High school teachers or other content experts with a minimum of technical training.
3. Summary Description: Evidence-Based Reasoning and Reporting (EBRR) is an engaging learning environment which puts students in the role of advisors to important decision makers. The role requires students to prepare reports which evaluate and recommend several alternative proposals for whatever problem is at hand. Materials for the reports are provided in an ASK system (a richly indexed hypermedia database) which students can browse to collect information and opinions about the situation. EBRR includes a set of customized authoring tools which teachers or other subject matter experts can use to create new scenarios without the need for programmer assistance.
4. Training and Staff Development:
- Teacher prerequisite skills/knowledge needed: Some experience with computers and current technology, minimal technical training.
- Student prerequisite skills needed: General familiarity with computers.
- Training needed/provided: Training in the use of EBRR tools and using a hypermedia database.
- Technical Support needed/provided: None specified.
5. Technological/Resources Needed: Computer with Internet capabilities.
6. Intended Outcomes:
Students: Students will gain competence in utilizing a hypermedia database to analyze information and opinions and recommend alternative solutions to problems. They will increase knowledge in foreign policy and geology while developing writing skills.
Teachers: Teachers will use authoring tools to create new problem scenarios for student analysis and to produce complex high-interest instructional plans.
7. Instructional Time Required: The amount of instructional time involved will vary depending upon the individual instructors and the needs of their students.
8. Role of the Pilot Teacher(s): Pilot teachers and their classes will utilize EBRR's learning environment and authoring tools, supplying feedback to providers in order to refine the final product.
9. Example(s) of Use of This Product (Scenario): A student has become foreign policy advisor to President Clinton. As such, he/she must prepare a report for the President analyzing the options available to the United States with regard to a pending civil war in Mexico and its implications for our nation. The student prepares a report which evaluates several alternative proposals and then makes recommendations. Material for the report is provided in the ASK system (a richly indexed hypermedia database) which students can examine to collect information and formulate opinions about the situation.
