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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have recently completed my dissertation on
interactional coherence in asynhronous learning environments. Because the study
used RST in performing the analysis, it may be of interest to readers of this
list. A copy of the abstract appears below. The complete report is
available from <A
href="http://hiwaay.net/~anpotter/APotter%20Dissertation%20Report.pdf">http://hiwaay.net/~anpotter/APotter%20Dissertation%20Report.pdf</A>.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>AP</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>---</DIV></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in auto"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Numerous studies have
affirmed the value of asynchronous online communication as a learning resource.
Several investigations, however, have indicated that discussions in asynchronous
environments are often neither interactive nor coherent. This research sought to
develop an enhanced understanding of interactional coherence in asynchronous
learning environments. The study used Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST) to
analyze and assess the coherence of a several asynchronous discussions. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in auto">The analysis revealed that the
discussions were structurally dynamic. While RST structures resulting from
static documents are acyclic tree-shaped structures, the rhetorical networks
representing asynchronous threads are frequently cyclic. Thus, the analysis
required a modified form of RST based on reduced constraints and restricted
schemas. By this means, it was possible to create structural models of the
discussions. These models were used to investigate asynchronous argumentation
and topic drift and to perform a comparative analysis of multiple
discussions.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in auto">The investigation found
argumentation was more prevalent in some groups than others. In one group the
analysis indicated the dominant mode of interaction was disagreement; in another
group, argumentation was generally constructive; and in a third group,
argumentation tended to be supportive and concessive. The investigation found
that topic drift does not occur as a matter of chance. Participants use topic
drift in order to adapt discussion to a topic of preference. As such, topics do
not drift so much as they are pushed and pulled. A consequence of this process
is that threads often begin with a strong research-based opening message, but
descend to anecdotes and personal commentary. The conferencing systems used for
the discussions were similar in their features, but the discussions differed,
particularly in their use of threading. In one group, less than half of the
messages were threaded, with the remainder posted as singletons. In other groups
most of the messages were in threads. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in auto">This research provides a
framework and a terminology for fine-grained analysis of interactional
coherence. By showing the applicability of RST to asynchronous discussion, the
study has offered evidence that assessment technology could be developed for
online discussions. In addition, the development of rhetorical networks as a
directed graph theory for representing the semantics of asynchronous interaction
could lead to new knowledge representation technologies for multi-agent
collaboration systems.</P></DIV>
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