Kalliopi Benetos, PhD
Lecturer, Research associate
TECFA -Educational Technologies Unit,
Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva
What is C-SAW?
- An online support for writing argumentative essays
- An an argumentative writing authoring application
overview
objectives
C-SAW is a web-based authoring tool to support novices in the writing of argumenative texts. It is intended for use in instructional designs using argumentative writing as a pedagogical approach to develop reasoning, knowledge construction and critical thinking.
framework
C-SAW is an online authoring tool using PHP, DOM, XML, and JavaScript. Based on ArgEssML, an XML markup language developed using RelaxNG specifically designed to define argumentative writing tools.
technical requirements
C-SAW is currently still a very highly functioning prototype. It runs on standard Apache/MySQL/Php web servers and Mozilla browsers (no particular problems with Safari, Chrome or Internet Explorer have been noted, but it has not been explicitly tested with these browsers.
demo
If you are interested in testing C-SAW, access to a demo version can be requested by writing to kalliopi.benetos(at)unige.ch. Please tell me why you're interested and let me know what you think.
research
current research
With the financing of the University of Geneva and TECFA, C-SAW is currently being developed to include a teacher-centered interface to facilitate its adaptation and integration in teacher defined learning scenarios using argumentative writing. It is also being extended to allow for collaborative writing. Both goals are being driven by a design-based research approach that involves practitioner and user input in the design, development and testing.
A qualititative approach is being used in a single-use case-study to observe the instrumentation and instrumentalization process of an instructor integrating the use of C-SAW in a course design. The study will look at prescribed, perceived uses, expected effects and perceived effects of technology integration as described by Paquelin (2009).
past research
Building on the analysis of results of preliminary testing during my Master’s thesis with TECFA at the University of Geneva, C-SAW(Computer-Supported Argumentative Writer) underwent a new design-based research cycle of design, development and testing C-SAW is an online authoring tool using PHP, DOM, XML, and JavaScript. Based on ArgEssML, a markup language specifically designed to define argumentative writing tools, C-SAW aims to help novices of argumentative text composition to develop and structure their written texts. It introduces prompts and devices designed to engage writers in the self-regulation processes that enable deeper reflection and can lead to changes in concepts and understanding. C-SAW offers a visualization and scaffolding of the composition process and product. C-SAW also logs writers actions to provide information for research or analytic purposes. C-SAW continues to be developed and tested in field studies and experimental settings. (see publications).
As part of my Master’s thesis at TECFA of the University of Geneva, I developed C-SAW, a functional prototype of online authoring tool using PHP, DOM, XML, XSLT and JavaScript, to help novices of argumentative text composition to better develop and structure their written texts. The tool is based on an underlying XML-based schema (developed with instructors) that is representative of argumentative texts and will offer a visualization and scaffolding of the composition process. This project is currently being further developed and extendended as part of a design-based research for my Phd in Educational Sciences at TECFA.
related publications
publications
Benetos, K., & Bétrancourt, M. (2020). Digital authoring support for argumentative writing: What does it change? Journal of Writing Research, 12(1), 263-290. https://doi.org/10.17239/jowr-2020.12.01.09
Benetos, K., Bétrancourt, M. (2015). Visualization of computer-supported argumentative writing processes using C‑SAW. Romanian Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 8(4), 281-303. URL: http://rochi.utcluj.ro/rrioc/articole/RRIOC-8-4-Benetos.pdf
conference proceedings
Benetos, K. (2015). Développement et implémentation des principes de design dans un outil-auteur pour soutenir la rédaction de textes argumentatifs, 8e Conférence sur les Environnements Informatiques pour l’Apprentissage Humain, EIAH 2017, Strasbourg, June 2017. p. 245- 256. URL: http://eiah2017.unistra.fr/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Actes.pdf
Benetos, K. & Schneider, D. (2011). Conceptual Change through Computer-Supported Argumentative Writing. In T. Bastiaens & M. Ebner (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2011 (pp. 1289-1298). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/p/38036.
conference papers
Benetos, K. (2016). Argumentative writing with C-SAW: effects of computer-supported self-regulation. EARLI 2016 SIG 26 - Argumentation, Dialogue and Reasoning. Ghent, Belgium (Aug. 2016)
Benetos, K. (2016). Computer-Supported Argumentative Writer /Working with an argumentation framework to support critical thinking through writing learning scenarios, Demonstration at EARLI 2016 SIG 7 Learning and Instruction with Computers. Dijon, France (Aug. 2016)
Benetos, K. (2015). Writing with C-SAW: effects of built-in self-regulatory devices during argumentative writing, 16th Biennial Conference, Earli 2015, Limassol, Cyprus. (Aug. 2015)
Benetos, K. (2014). Writing argumentative texts using C-SAW: a field study. International Conference on Writing Research 2014. Amsterdam.
Benetos, K., (2012). Design principles for supporting self-regulation during argumentative writing, Instructional Design for Advancing Learning in a Networked Society, EARLI SIG 6 & 7 Conference 2012, Bari, Italy.
doctoral thesis
Benetos, K. (2015). C-SAW: Computer-supported scaffolding of argumentative writing (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Geneva. Geneva. Retrieved from http://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:73672
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