BetterBlether: the design and evaluation of a discussion tool for education

BetterBlether is described, a computer mediated educational communication tool designed to facilitate and promote effective group interaction skills that provides support for the move from teacher dominated discussions to ones in which the pupils play a more active part.

Abstract

Abstract. Communication skills play a prominent role in the primary school curriculum. Children are first expected to acquire these skills within a supervised group environment in which the teacher guides and sets the pace for the discussion, and later transfer them to a less dependent setting. This paper describes BetterBlether 1, a computer mediated educational communication tool designed to facilitate and promote effective group interaction skills. BetterBlether uses a sentence opener approach (McManus & Aiken, 1995) in order to scaffold the use of a range of discussion skills. In so doing, it provides support for the move from teacher dominated discussions to ones in which the pupils play a more active part. We first provide an overview of BetterBlether before going on to describe an empirical evaluation which was carried out in a local primary school. Finally, we compare these results with outcomes of research on both supervised and unsupervised group discussions (Harwood, 1995). FOSTERING GROUP DISCUSSION SKILLS In recent years the Scottish National Curriculum has highlighted the important role which talking and listening skills play in the teaching of English Language. Communication skills are essential for effective learning, cultivating an awareness and knowledge of language, and play