Study Title: A Discussion List Analyzer: Using an Artificial Neural Network to Reveal Cognitive Effort Expressed in Online Discussion List Messages
Study Abstract:
This paper details the work performed toward building a reliable, automatic, content analysis suite of tools that that utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze online educational discussion list messages. This project was conducted under contract by Georgia Tech's Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC) with the Institute of Higher Education at the University of Georgia under a service agreement with the University System of Georgia Board of Regents' Advanced Learning Technologies Unit. This study was based on the cognitive presence element of Garrison, Anderson, and Archer's (2000, 2001) community of inquiry model and sought to answer two broad questions: Can an artificial neural network (ANN) be used to reliably create an automatic discussion list analysis tool, and can such a tool reveal the cognitive effort behind a body of discussion list messages?
Journal Article:
- McKlin, T., Oliver, P., Morris, L., & Finnegan, C. (2003). A Discussion List Analyzer: Using an Artificial Neural Network to Reveal Cognitive Effort Expressed in Online Discussion List Messages. World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2003(1), 876-879.
Available at:
Online broadcast:
- Georgia Institute of Technology's CEISMIC http://www.ceismc.gatech.edu/ceismc/programs/edtech/dla/CogPres_ed-media_files/lobby0.htm