Weiyi Xiao

Hello, I am a PhD Candidate at OISE, University of Toronto. My research interests lie in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL). I specialize in the field of Knowledge Creation (KC), a scaffolding learning environment design that supports every student in developing the skills and attitudes needed to become the self-directed, community-oriented, and epistemically inclusive learners envisioned by Knowledge Building (KB). My work focuses on KC models, pedagogies, and technologies that empower students to create knowledge through structured, computer-supported collaborative interactions. A key element of my approach is the integration of revision prompts in peer-to-peer threaded discussions, which scaffold the learning process by holding every student accountable for making iterative, creative improvement of ideas. My research provides evidence that with sufficient guidance from teachers, students can develop the capacities required by KB when being prompted to create knowledge that advances their collective understanding. Overtime, the structured guidance has the potential to enable students to internalize the processes and ultimately become fully engaged participants in KB.