BROCA: a computer-mediated learning tool for teaching scientific reasoning and writing

This "work-in-progress" describes a computerized learning environment for teaching the conceptual patterns of scientific reasoning. BROCA (Basic Research, Observations, Critical Analysis) is theory-driven, combining two very powerful conceptual models of thinking. The first-drawn from cognitive psychology and information theory-focuses on the mental manipulations by which data becomes information and information becomes knowledge. The second theoretical construct comes from rhetoric and describes the intellectual activities carried out in prewriting, drafting, and revision by an expert writing. As an interactive "cognitive tool", BROCA provides scaffolding (through visual algorithms and adaptive prompting) to help a fledgling thinker practice the robust patterns of scientific reasoning.