Learning Through Conversation, How AI Chatbots Can Be Programmed for a Better Learning Experience

Learning Through Conversation, How AI Chatbots Can Be Programmed for a Better Learning Experience

Learning through conversation is a powerful and natural way to acquire knowledge, develop understanding, and refine our thinking. Conversational learning harnesses the power of dialogue and social interaction for knowledge acquisition and interpretation. It arises from the belief that conversation is a social process that helps individuals construct new meanings, explore diverse perspectives, and deepen their knowledge of a subject. 

Social constructivist theories, which suggest that we build knowledge through social interaction, underpin this approach. The Socratic method, an ancient teaching style that employs questioning to spark critical thinking and clarify concepts, also informs conversational learning. Hence, conversational learning doesn't merely passively receive information but actively participates in knowledge creation. 

Conversational learning acknowledges the rich diversity in learning experiences. Through dialogue with others, learners encounter diverse viewpoints and experiences, enriching their understanding and widening their outlook. This diversity can also cultivate empathy and mutual respect among learners as they learn to appreciate different perspectives and thought processes. 

Beyond broadening horizons, conversational learning also enhances communication skills. As the dialogue unfolds, learners develop their abilities to articulate thoughts lucidly, listen attentively, and respond considerately. These skills, indispensable in learning, are valuable assets in the workplace and society.

Here's a breakdown of what I mean when I talk about learning through conversation:

Key Principles:

• Active Engagement: Conversations require active participation. Instead of passively absorbing information, you're contributing ideas, asking questions, and challenging existing notions. This makes learning more dynamic.
• Social Interaction: Learning through conversation is inherently social. You're interacting with others, building upon their knowledge and insights while offering your perspectives.
• Knowledge Construction: Through conversation, you're receiving more than just facts. You're constructing knowledge by connecting new ideas to your existing understanding, resolving contradictions, and building a more nuanced perspective.
• Critical Thinking: Engaging in meaningful conversations pushes you to analyse information, consider different viewpoints, and form well-reasoned conclusions.
• Idea Exploration: Conversations allow for fluid exploration of topics. You can follow tangents, pose new questions, uncover unexpected connections, and delve deeper into areas that spark your interest.

How Learning Through Conversation Works:

1. Sharing and Exchange: Conversations start with sharing ideas, perspectives, and experiences. This initial exchange of information lays the foundation for deeper learning.
2. Questioning and Clarifying: Asking questions demonstrates your desire to understand and challenge existing assumptions. Clarifying responses helps eliminate misunderstandings and solidify knowledge.
3. Elaboration: When you elaborate on your thoughts, you teach yourself. Putting complex ideas into words helps organise the information in your mind.
4. Feedback and Refinement: Conversations provide opportunities to receive feedback from others. This allows you to refine your understanding, fill gaps, and address misconceptions.
5. Perspective Shifting: Engaging with different viewpoints can shift your understanding. You might encounter new arguments, alternative interpretations, or ways of thinking that you have yet to consider.

Benefits of Learning Through Conversation:

• Improved understanding: Conversations help you process information more deeply, leading to better comprehension and longer retention.
• Enhanced communication skills: Participating in conversations helps you articulate more effectively and become a better listener.
• Development of empathy: Engaging with diverse perspectives fosters greater empathy and understanding of others.
• Boosted creativity: Conversations can spark new ideas, reveal unexpected angles, and lead to innovative solutions.

At Growth Engineering, we help companies deliver this learning pedagogy through AI-assisted chatbots. These chatbots can be programmed to assume characters that facilitate the four Ds:

1. Discover the learner's starting point and current understanding.
2. Discuss the learning experience and set expectations.
3. Deliver the main learning objectives through interactive conversation.
4. Demonstrate learning through application and assessment.

These chatbots are programmed to assume characters that learners navigate conversations with, gaining an understanding of the learning objectives and learning outcomes. 

Let me know if you'd like specific examples of how learning through conversation can be applied in different settings!