Conversation theory: A constructivist, dialogical approach to educational technology

This paper overviews conversation theory, as developed over three decades by Pask, Scott and others, with particular emphasis on its application to the field of educational technology. Topics covered include models for learning and teaching, individual differences in approaches to learning, CASTE (Course Assembly System and Tutorial Environment) and associated principles for course design and tutorial strategies, knowledge and task analysis and knowledge representation for course design. The paper begins with a brief biographical note on the life and work of Gordon Pask and ends with some examples of current applications and some thoughts about the role of conversation theory in future developments in educational technology.