Evaluating a learning environment for case-based argumentation skills
Vincent Aleven, Kevin D. Ashley · 1997
CAT0 is an intelligent learning environment designed to help &@ting law students learn basic skills of making arguments with cases, through practice in theory-testing and argumentation tasks.CAT0 models ways in which experts compare and contrast cases, assess the significance of similarities and differences between cases in light of general domain knowledge, and use the same general knowledge to organize multi-case arguments by issues.CAT0 communicates its model to students by presenting dynamically-generated argumentation examples and reifying (i.e., making visible) argument structure.Also, the CAT0 Tools reduce some of the distracting complexity of the students' task.CAT0 employs a computational model of case-based argumentation that addresses eight basic argument moves and more elaborate multi-case arguments.The model includes a "Factor Hierarchy," which represents more nbstract.,but still domain-specific, legal knowledge about the meaning of the factors used to represent cases.CAT0 uses the Factor Hierarchy for a number of purposes, among them to organize multi-case arguments by issues and to make arguments about the significance of distinctions.To generate the latter, CAT0 strategically selects alternative interpretations of cases to elaborate a "deeper" (or more.abstract) contrast or parallel between cases.