1 Copyright © 2010, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. Chapter 1 Online Learning Environments, Scientifc Argumentation, and 21st Century Skills abstraCt A workshop held at the National Academies in the United States in 2007 highlighted fve broad catego- ries of skills that appear valuable across a range of jobs for people working in modern global econo- mies. Engaging students in scientifc argumentation can support the development of these 21 st century skills. Unfortunately, opportunities are rare in typical classrooms for students to learn how to engage in scientifc argumentation. Over the past ten years several online environments have been developed to support students engaging with one another in scientifc argumentation. This paper considers how engaging students in scientifc argumentation through the activity structures and scripts in these online environments could also support the development of 21 st century skills. More specifcally, the paper con- siders how WISE Seeded Discussions, CASSIS, VCRI, and DREW can support students’ development of Adaptability, Complex Communication Skills, Non-Routine Problem-Solving Skills, Self-Management/ Self-Development, and Systems Thinking. Douglas Clark Vanderbilt University, USA Victor Sampson Florida State University, USA Karsten Stegmann University of Munich, Germany Miika Marttunen University of Jyväskylä, Finland Ingo Kollar University of Munich, Germany Jeroen Janssen Utrecht University, The Netherlands Armin Weinberger University of Twente, The Netherlands Muhsin Menekse Arizona State University, USA Gijsbert Erkens Utrecht University, The Netherlands Leena Laurinen University of Jyväskylä, Finland DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61520-729-9.ch001