Rhetorical Structure Analysis for Assessing Collaborative Processes in CSCL

Abstract

This paper presents a research on using rhetorical structures for assessing collaborative processes in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) chats. For this purpose, the ideas of Bakhtin’s dialogism theory and Trausan-Matu’s polyphonic model are used, starting from the identification of the threads of repeated words from chats. Cue phrases and their usage in linking the identified threads are also considered. The results are presented in statistical tables and graphics that ease the understanding of the collaborative process, helping teachers to analyze and assess students' collaborative chats. It also allows students to know and understand the interactions and how it contributes to the conversation.