Intersubjectivity and Educational Technology

Intersubjectivity is a measure of quality in online discourse. It is a representation of knowledge construction achieved through a synergistic progression from individual contributions to sequences of interdependent contributions within the discourse. This higher quality of knowledge construction is necessary in a learning environment situated within the philosophy of social constructivism. Intersubjectivity relates to the coordination of individual contributions during a discussion, so the achievement of intersubjectivity is influenced by the use of technology within the educational environment. Although intersubjectivity could apply to dialogue occurring in a co-located physical space, such as an on-site classroom, the focus of this entry is dialogue that is mediated by technology. This entry first defines intersubjectivity and discusses its development, then distinguishes it from interaction. The entry goes on ...