Adaptive tools for multiperspective thinking in Web-based exploratory learning

With widespread use of the Internet, learners in the digital age can explore the Web proactively by following hyperlinks on the basis of their interests or learning goals. Multiperspective thinking in Web-based exploratory learning, which can be regarded as thinking beyond individual learners´ limited perspectives (interests), presents learners with correct knowledge, well-organized knowledge, new findings, their own strong opinions (standpoints), etc. We think that multiperspective thinking consists of information comparison and information application, and we have implemented adaptive tools that facilitate these thinking activities on the Web. One of our adaptive tools is provided as adaptive link generation that attaches importance to recommending the sharable hyperlinks created by other learners with low similarity of interest. This adaptive link generation enables learners to be aware of the presence of the sharable hyperlinks they should follow for multiperspective thinking. Another is provided as notebook tools for writing down multiperspective thinking in conjunction with the new adaptive link generation. The content of multiperspective thinking created with these notebook tools contributes to more effective multiperspective thinking.