Conversieve

Conversieve is a neologism used to describe a method of analysis and problem solving that centers dialogic interaction as the main driver of knowledge generation. In a conversieve approach, structured dialogue is used to elicit tacit knowledge, align mental models, and refine understanding through collaborative sense-making.

Etymology and scope: The term blends “conversation” with a suffix suggestive of synthesis, signaling that insight emerges from dialogue. It arose in contemporary discussions of collaborative inquiry and design thinking to describe practices that emphasize participatory reasoning.

Core principles: Key features include equal participation, open-ended questioning, repeated cycles of inquiry and reflection, and transparent documentation of divergent views. The goal is a shared synthesis or action guidance produced through iterative summarization and validation.

Applications: In education, conversieve methods appear in dialogic pedagogy and problem-based learning. In research and organizations, they support knowledge management, co-creation, and decision support. In technology, conversieve workflows rely on interactive prompts and iterative clarification.

Limitations: The approach depends on skilled facilitation, can be time-consuming, and risks dominance by vocal participants or groupthink if not moderated. Privacy, consent, and inclusivity considerations are important when recording or sharing dialogue.

See also: conversational AI, dialogic pedagogy, collaborative knowledge building.