optimizing vocabulary learning with irt and online technology brent culligan ([email protected])...
TRANSCRIPT
Optimizing Vocabulary Learning with IRT and Online Technology
Optimizing Vocabulary Learning with IRT and Online Technology
Brent Culligan ([email protected])Aoyama Gakuin Women’s Junior College
Dr. Charles Browne ([email protected])Professor of Linguistics, Meiji Gakuin University
Why we are here - a quote…Why we are here - a quote…
“Tom and I planned this colloquium around the idea that vocabulary research has provided clear findings that can inform language teaching and learning in concrete and substantive ways, and the goal of the colloquium is to highlight successful implementations. As I see it, the take home message is: vocabulary research has direct implications for the practice of teaching and learning language…”
Email from Marlise Horst, 4/11/07
Guiding Pedagogic PrinciplesGuiding Pedagogic Principles
1. Teaching HFV is an essential component of SLA
2. Flashcards are an extremely efficient way of quickly building up knowledge of new words
3. Time-intervalled learning can help move short term-memory to long term memory
4. Extensive graded reading is useful for both vocabulary development as well as developing overall English proficiency
Role of TechnologyRole of Technology
1. CAT allows us to precisely target a student’s level and needs in ways that were until now, not possible
2. For today’s generation of students, cell phones and MP3 players are the devices of choice
3. Online graded reading and listening can help provide students with much needed input
4. Teachers are extremely busy - software needs to be intuitive, easy to use, and time efficient
A Set of Free Vocabulary Testing & Teaching Tools Based on Current Research
(www.lexxica.com)
A Set of Free Vocabulary Testing & Teaching Tools Based on Current Research
(www.lexxica.com)
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THE TOOLS:
1. Vocabulary Test
2. Flashcards
3. Games
4. Graded Readings
5. Graded Listenings
6. Administration Program
Flashcards based on Time-Intervalled Learning
Flashcards based on Time-Intervalled Learning
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The Forgetting CurveThe Forgetting Curve
• If material is only reviewed once, it tends to stay in short term memory and is soon forgotten…
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The Forgetting CurveThe Forgetting Curve
• If material is reviewed several times at increasingly longer intervals, the material is remembered longer and longer until it eventually becomes part of long term memory…
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Time-Intervalled Vocabulary FlashcardsEbbinhaus (1885), Leitner (1972), Pimsleur (1967), Mondria, (1994)…
Time-Intervalled Vocabulary FlashcardsEbbinhaus (1885), Leitner (1972), Pimsleur (1967), Mondria, (1994)…
Learner gets flashcards
24 hours later 1 week later 1 month later
If incorrect, the new word returns to the first bin…
If correct, word moves to the next interval…
• The vocabulary test allows us to generate individualized word lists of the specific HFV unknown to each learner
• Computers allow us to automate the time-intervalled process
Vocabulary Activities Integrated into the Time-Intervalled Learning System
Vocabulary Activities Integrated into the Time-Intervalled Learning System
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Vocabulary Test, Flashcards, Games & Graded Readings on Cell Phones
Vocabulary Test, Flashcards, Games & Graded Readings on Cell Phones
Cell phones are the device of choice among students in Japan - 100% penetration at most universities vs. 62% for PCs
(Browne, 2007, in press)
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Large Database of Short Graded Reading Materials
Large Database of Short Graded Reading Materials
Large Database of Short Graded Reading Materials
Large Database of Short Graded Reading Materials
Large Database of Short Graded Reading Materials
Large Database of Short Graded Reading Materials
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Learner’s target vocabulary is highlighted and linked to online dictionary
Graded Readings Also Recorded as Graded Listenings (podcasts)
Graded Readings Also Recorded as Graded Listenings (podcasts)
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Web-based Administration Account for Tracking Student Progress
Web-based Administration Account for Tracking Student Progress
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V-Check - the vocabulary test that makes all this possible…V-Check - the vocabulary test that makes all this possible…
• The starting point for us was trying to find an efficient way to identify which specific HFW a student knows, and which still need to be taught…
The role of testingThe role of testing
• Assessing the ability of the students• Assessing the difficulties of the items• Item difficulty = word familiarity
Item Response TheoryItem Response Theory
b
b
e
ebUP
1
),|1(
where is the ability level
e is the constant 2.1718
b is the difficulty parameter
Item Response TheoryItem Response Theory
Item Response TheoryItem Response TheoryBenefits
• Person abilities can be estimated regardless of which items are administered.
• Item difficulties can be estimated regardless of which persons take the test.
Assumptions
• Local independence
• Unidimensionality
Why and How Can It Be Free?Why and How Can It Be Free?
WHY?• V-Check’s accuracy is related to it’s large scale
implementation in different populations• Because we want to help create a paradigm shift
among educators - for this to occur, teachers, administrators and students need to have easy ways to study and teach HFV
HOW?• Other services will be fee-based (TOEFL, TOEIC,
Business English, online conversation, etc.)
Thank You!(and please contact us with any questions or feedback)
Thank You!(and please contact us with any questions or feedback)
Brent Culligan ([email protected])Aoyama Gakuin Women’s Junior College
Dr. Charles Browne ([email protected])Professor of Linguistics, Meiji Gakuin University