Harald Wahl

How to motivate students in project based learning

Educational thinking in higher education has undergone a rapid change. The ability to remember facts loses importance whereas the capability to solve problems becomes more and more the main focus of teaching. At the Technikum Wien Project Based Learning (PBL) was introduced in various subjects of our IT course. The basic approach of PBL originated from the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands where it is reported to be highly successful. The specific problem the authors tried to solve, deals with the motivation of students. The main motivation of students is-of course-to achieve good test results and only the lesser focus lies on the specific contents of the subject. The authors tried to develop a method, which allows the students to focus their intrinsic motivation onto the study project itself and not onto the extrinsic motivation, namely test results.

Natural language processing technologies for developing a language learning environment

So far, Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) comes in many different flavors. Our research work focuses on developing an integrated e-learning environment that allows improving language skills in specific contexts. Integrated e-learning environment means that it is a Web-based solution that performs language learning tasks using common working environments like, for instance, Web browsers or Email clients. It should be accessible on different platforms, even on mobile devices. Natural Language Processing (NLP) forms the technological basis for developing such a learning framework. The paper gives an overview of the state-of-the-art in this area. Therefore, on the one hand, it explains creation processes for NLP resources and gives an overview of corpora. On the other hand, it describes existing NLP standards. Based on our requirements, the paper gives special attention to the evaluation and comparison of toolkits that can suitably support the planned implementation. An outlook at the end points out necessary developments in e-learning to keep in mind.

Towards an intelligent integrated language learning environment

Purpose – Computer‐assisted language learning (CALL) comes in many different flavors. The purpose of this paper is to focus on developing an integrated e‐learning environment that allows improving language skills in specific contexts. Integrated e‐learning environment means that it is a web‐based solution that performs language learning tasks using common working environments such as, for instance, web browsers or e‐mail clients. It should be accessible on different platforms, even on mobile devices. Natural language processing (NLP) forms the technological basis for developing such a learning framework. The use of NLP technologies, or in broader view artificial intelligence technologies, in CALL has also been dubbed intelligent CALL. The paper gives an overview of the state of the art in this area.Design/methodology/approach – On the one hand, the paper explains creation processes for NLP resources and gives an overview of language corpora. On the other hand, it describes existing NLP standards. Based on...

A prototypical implementation of the intelligent integrated computer-assisted language learning (iiCALL) environment

Since the late nineties, several Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) platforms have been developed. By using Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, CALL has become Intelligent CALL (ICALL). Our research additionally deals with language learning integrated in different environments, be it Web browsers or Email clients. Therefore, we develop a Web-based e-learning solution, called Intelligent Integrated Computer-Assisted Language Learning (iiCALL) platform. Requirements engineering for iiCALL has primarily been done on the basis of identifying suitable use cases with respect to different learning types. Moreover, we face varying levels of learners. The paper illustrates relevant use cases and describes the yielding Web-based and distributed system architecture of iiCALL. Furthermore, it draws specific attention to a first prototype integrated into Mozilla Firefox that implements a simple learning scenario for language learners on a beginners level. Finally, it points out open issues and future work.

The intelligent integrated computer-assisted language learning (iiCALL) environment: work in progress

The Intelligent Integrated Computer-Assisted Language Learning (iiCALL) environment is a Web-based platform that provides language learning being integrated in common working environments like Web browsers, Email clients, or mobile devices. It applies Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies, and it uses Semantic Web technologies for context-related language learning. Individual learners prefer individual learning methods based on their stage of language skills and their personal learning types. The paper describes the work in progress of the iiCALL environment. It shows the needs from the perspective of learner types, it gives a technological overview, and it points out the current system architecture of the iiCALL environment.

A context-related vocabulary trainer in the integrated intelligent computer-assisted language learning (iiCALL) environment

The Integrated Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning (iiCALL) environment is a Web-based e-learning platform that enables language learning in common working environments like Web browsers or email clients. Based on learning theories, it offers context-related learning scenarios for different learning types and different levels of learners. So far, the prototype implements the server architecture which runs inside an Apache Tomcat using Hibernate and MySQL for persistence purposes and which uses the General Architecture for Text Engineering (GATE) framework for Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks. The prototype also implements a client as a Mozilla Firefox extension by using the XML User Interface Language (XUL) and JavaScript. It exemplarily shows a context-related vocabulary trainer, a learning scenario for language learners on a beginners level. The paper explains technology of the prototype and points out open issues and future work.

Deep web integrated systems: current achievements and open issues

The problem of extracting data that resides in the deep Web has become the center of many research efforts in the recent few years. The challenges in this research area are spanning from online databases discovery and forms extraction from query interfaces, to receiving structured queries from the user, submitting them automatically and retrieving accurate results back to the user. Therefore, the main task is to build an integrated system that connects this variety of missions. In this paper we give an overview of this area of research. We start by surveying previous deep Web systems. After that we define the basic components of a typical deep Web integrated system. Finally, we highlight the current challenges along with possible future research directions.

Exemplary Use Cases Based on the Generic Data Model for the Integrated Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning (iiCALL) Environment

Based on the idea of Health Level Seven International (HL7) version 3 and its initial architecture and database design, a generic data model for the Integrated Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning (iiCALL) environment has been developed. Open technologies for communication and a knowledge-based and service-oriented architecture (SOA) are key factors of iiCALL. The development process of iiCALL concentrates on object-oriented analysis and object-oriented design. According to the development process of HL7, use-case driven development yields to a message information model which is explained in detail for exemplary use cases.

Towards a Generic Data Model for the Integrated Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning (iiCALL) Environment

The Integrated Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning (iiCALL) environment is a Web-based e-learning platform that enables language learning in common working environments like Web browsers or email clients. Business logic and language issues are mainly implemented at the iiCALL server. To meet the challenges for providing high quality and context-related language learning, the iiCALL system is assumed to be semantically interoperable, scalable and flexible. Additionally, existing and well approved technologies and standards have to be taken into consideration. Open technologies for communication are as important as a knowledge-based and service-oriented architecture (SOA). Following an idea coming from the healthcare sector, in particular the development of Health Level Seven International (HL7) version 3, the iiCALL development process concentrates on object-oriented analysis and object-oriented design to achieve a generic data model. Based on the initial architecture and database design, the development process for iiCALL applications is redeveloped, which by abstraction yields to the iiCALL generic data model.

A Generic Software Framework for Intelligent Integrated Computer-Assisted Language Learning (iiCALL) Environment

Intelligent Integrated Computer-Assisted Language Learning (iiCALL) describes various approaches in the field of second language learning. The term ‘‘Integrated’’ refers to approaches which operate inside established workspaces such as Web-browsers and e-mail clients, whereas the term ‘‘Intelligent’’ relates to appropriate methods from the field of computer linguistics. The iiCALL environments are composed of several single systems, which are developed by specialists from different domains with specific background-knowledge (e.g. didactic experts, linguists, or software developers). High-quality solutions of such learning environments are characterized by solid technical delivery and proper language content. Both demand semantic interoperability between these systems as well as flexibility and scalability of the entire environment. Similar challenges exist in healthcare. Hence, the idea of the Health Level Seven V3 standard is adapted to meet the requirements for iiCALL. This paper addresses this challenge and presents a development framework for the conception of iiCALL, as well as a software framework for generic and transparent information exchange within those environments.