icwl2015 wahl
TRANSCRIPT
A Generic Software Framework
for Intelligent Integrated Computer-Assisted
Language Learning (iiCALL) Environment
Harald Wahl - UAS Technikum Wien
Rudolf Galler - UAS Technikum Wien
Werner Winiwarter - University of Vienna
ICWL 2015The 14th International Conference on Web-based Learning
5-8 November 2015, Guangzhou, P.R.China
Agenda
Motivation - Research Overview
From CALL to iiCALL
System Architecture
The Generic Data Model (GDM)
The Software Framework
Future Work
Research Exposé
Natural Language Processing (NLP) has become a widespread discipline providing its technology for applications from automatic translations to speech recognition. The research for this thesis deals with NLP in the field of learning languages online. Whilst several online platforms already offer courses for language learning they are more or less well structured courses providing possibilities to learn foreign languages primarily for the purpose of everyday speaking tasks. Work in this PHD thesis concentrates on a context related learning, which means improving language skills for specific business or life segments. It emphasizes creating an integrated e-learning system for developing specialized high-level multilingual communication skills based on the concept of knowledge modeling. Integrated e-learning system should be understood in the way that the system is accessible by common working environments like Web browsers, email clients, office programs, cell phones, or PDAs, respectively. Users should be able to gain language skills for special purposes in different areas of activity, be it engineering, health, economics or others.
From a technical point of view, resources are provided by language corpora enriched with specific semantic information. A dynamic and extensible data model and a software framework form the technical basis. Application support is given by a plug-in concept. A plug-in allows accessing language corpora and providing specific functions on demand.
Research is positioned in an interdisciplinary technological context in the fields of Natural Language Processing, Semantic Web, and e-learning. The most relevant publications can be taken from these areas.
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
learning languages online
context related learning
for specific business or life segments
integrated e-learning system
gain language skills for special
purposes in different areas of activity
resources are provided by language
corpora enriched with specific semantic
information
dynamic and extensible data model
software framework
Natural Language Processing, Semantic Web, and e-
learning
Research Exposé
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
learning languages online
context related learning
for specific business or life segments
integrated e-learning system
gain language skills for special
purposes in different areas of activity
resources are provided by language
corpora enriched with specific semantic
information
dynamic and extensible data model
software framework
Natural Language Processing, Semantic Web, and e-
learning
From CALL to iiCALL
Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL)
– “the search for and study of applications of the computer in
language teaching and learning” Levy (1997)
Intelligent CALL (ICALL)
– CALL + NLP + AI
Our research additionally deals with integrated
environments
– Intelligent Integrated Computer-Assisted Language Learning
(iiCALL)
Architecture 1.0
Platforms for integration
Workflow Engine
LR NLP
4
Apache Tomcat
Web
3
iiCALLenvironment
1 2
Vocabulary trainer
Drawbacks
Inflexible wrt. to new functionalities
Change management is difficult
– Change of server database
– Change of client databases
WSDL spec. per scenario
No common semantic understanding
Similar problems in e-health
Different software developer
Need of semantic interoperability
Standard HL7 (currently in version 3)
– Reference Information Model
HL7 Reference Information Model
Just a few core classes
Provides standards for data exchange to allow
interoperability between healthcare information systems
Act Relationship
ParticipationRole
Role Link
ActEntity
A physical thing,
group of physical
things or an
organization capable
of participating in
Acts, while in a role.
A record of something
that is being done, has
been done, can be
done, or is intended or
requested to be done.
A competency of the Entity
playing the Role as
identified, defined,
guaranteed, or
acknowledged by the Entity
that Scopes the Role.
An association between an
Act and a Role with an Entity
playing that Role. Each
Entity (in a Role) involved in
an Act in a certain way is
linked to the act by one
Participation-instance.
Entity Role Participation Act
A connection between two
roles expressing a
dependency between those
roles.
A directed association
between a source act and a
target act.
Role Link Act Relationship
0..1
0..n
1
0..n
0..n
1
0..1
0..n
0..n 0..n
1 1
0..n 0..n
1 1
Is there a similarity to language learning
Exemplary Use Cases
– Vocabulary trainer
– Cloze text
– Social translation
– Group work
– Entry-level tests
– Improve medical language skills (nursing staff)
– Train communication phrases (tourists, travelers)
– …
Vocabulary trainer, Cloze text, …
Involved:
– Learner, Skill level, Language to be learned, Text, Multiple
Choice Test, Result, Learning steps (workflow)
The iiCALL Generic Data Model (GDM)
Semantic interoperability the learning domain
Need of common (standardized) understanding
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Generic data model
Entity:
– Learner: Person
– Language: Language
Role:
– Person in the role of learner
– Person in the role of trainer
– Language in the role of language to be learned
Participation / Act / Act Relationship:
– Learner and language participate in vocabulary training
– Workflow of Vocabulary training consists of several process
steps
Refined GDM
16
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iiCALL Architecture 2.0
Development Methodology
CONCEPT => DESIGN => IMPLEMENTATION
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iiCALL Software Framework Overview
19
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Demonstration
20
© FH Technikum Wien
Future work
Additional use cases
Interaction with existing authentication and authorization
systems (FacebookLogin, Oauth, …)
Scalabilty
Thank you for your attention
Harald Wahl
University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien
http://staff.technikum-wien.at/~wahl