| Course Description: | Writing a text with a well-reasoned conclusion can be challenging for students. How and where to begin? Argument mapping is a technique that can help. An argument map is a diagram or plan that you create before you start writing, and it can help you overcome writer’s block. An argument map allows you to explore the structure of an argument. Claims are depicted as boxes with text, and these boxes are connected by lines that represent ‘support’ and ‘oppose’ relations. Argument mapping not only helps you organize your own thoughts, but it can also help you understand arguments put forward by other people. This, in turn, may allow you to better appreciate both the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments. |
| Course Aim: | The aim of this course is to introduce the technique of argument mapping and digital tools for argument mapping through practical activities and case studies. This will help in solving problems that involve drawing reasoned conclusions. For language teaching, argument mapping provides a practical technique for helping students with writing and understanding reasoned conclusions. |
| Anticipated Outcomes | By the end of this session, you will be able to: - describe the key ingredients of an argument map; - start from an argument map and write argumentative text based on the map; - create an argument map based on someone else’s writing; - explain how digital argument mapping extends our natural capabilities; and explain the role of argument mapping in relation to Generative AI. |
| Trainer Bio | Dr. Paul Piwek, an Associate Professor at the Open University, brings a deep interest in language and logic to the world of Artificial Intelligence. He earned his PhD from the Institute for Perception Research (Eindhoven University and Philips Research), focusing on the intersection of these disciplines. His recent project, "Opening Up Minds" (mcs.open.ac.uk/pp2464/Opening_Up_Minds/), aims to develop AI tools that help navigate conversations, even across ideological divides. This work addresses a pressing societal challenge, seeking to bridge communication gaps and foster mutual understanding. He has published his work in journals such as Artificial Intelligence and Synthese, as well as at conferences like ACL and COLING. He has developed courses at the Open University, including the popular free "Digital Thinking Tools" (open.ac.uk/digital-thinking) course co-authored with Richard Walker. He is the Public Understanding and Schools Liaison Officer for the Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB; aisb.org.uk). |