An intelligent debater for teaching argumentation

Abstract

Despite the growing number of ITSs for teaching argumentation, few tutors actually debate the student. An intelligent debater allows the student to practice argumentation and provides the motivation to analyze evidence. Here I describe an intelligent debater used in Policy World to argue with students about policy recommendations. The intelligent debater forces the student to recommend a policy intervention, to describe how the intervention affects the desired policy outcomes, and to provide evidence. The debater then attacks infeasible recommendations, implausible mechanisms, and weak evidence. Key aspects of the intelligent debater algorithm are presented for those interested in using intelligent debaters in science, law, and history. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.