Argumentation plays an important role in
promoting deep learning, fostering conceptual change and
supporting problem solving. The new “learning by arguing”
paradigm leads to new learning opportunities. However, due to
the difficulties in modeling human cognition, there are few
learning systems that can facilitate argumentation dialogues
between systems and learners. Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) is an
effective tool in modeling human cognition. This paper proposes
an FCM based argumentation model. Based on this model we
design an argumentative software agent to facilitate
argumentative learning. Provided with the domain knowledge
and argumentation capability, the agent is able to simulate a peer
learner and automatically conduct argumentative dialogues with
learners. The argumentative agent can be applied in general
school education as well as special domains like diabetes
education and eHealth decision support.