CALL Technology

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CALL Technology

• Xiaofei Lu
• APLNG 588
• September 20, 2007

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Outline

• Introduction
• New technologies for language learning
• Use of new technologies

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Introduction

• Predicting future state-of-the-art technologies
• Technologies and their functionalities for LLT
• Storage devices, MP3 players
• LL Web sites
• Impact of technologies on CALL
• Discourse
• New ways of thinking and communicating
• Areas of research
• Pedagogy

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New technologies for LL

• Authoring software and LMS
• Conferencing
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Speech technology
• Mobile learning

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Authoring software and LMS

• Authoring tools
• Tailor activities to learning goals
• Hot Potatoes, MALTED, Authorware
• LMS
• Course tools, CMS, VLE
• WebCT, BlackBoard, ANGEL, Moodle

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Authoring software and LMS

• Difference between the two
• Client-sided vs. server-sided tools
• Feedback and scoring
• Security and cheating issues
• Cost and flexibility
• Hybridization
• Sharable content object reference model (SCORM)
• Extensible markup language (XML)

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Conferencing

• Accessibility of conferencing
• Speed and stability of Internet connections
• Browser-based conferencing technologies
• Equipment cost
• Applications
• Distance education and learning
• Speaking outside classroom

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Conferencing

• Advantages
• Motivating, sense of presence
• Correction of pronunciation errors
• Collaborative learning (Socioconstrucructivist
  approaches to LL)
• Windows NetMeeting
• Functions
• Tutorial

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Artificial Intelligence

• Intelligent CALL (ICALL)
• Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Parse learner input for errors
• Machine translation
• Dialogue systems

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Intelligent language tutoring systems

• Components
• Expert knowledge module
• Student model module
• Tutoring module
• User interface module
• Can couple with NLP (e.g., Heift 2001)
• Complexity, cost, and performance

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Speech technology

• Automated speech recognition (ASR)
• Discrete vs. continuous speech recognition
• Hidden Markov model for continuous ASR
• Initial, transition, and generation probabilities
• HTK Speech Recognition Toolkit
• ASR in Microsoft Word (does it work?)
• Applications
• In ILTS learner response-processing-feedback
• Complete preset functions

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Speech technology

• Pronunciation training
• Segmental or suprasegmental features
• Visual representations of learner sounds (Praat)
• Visual representations of the correct model
• Mostly commercial products (e.g., Sona-Match)
• Speech synthesis
• ATT Natural Voices Text-to-Speech
• Issues with accuracy

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Mobile learning

• Rationale
• Frequent, integral use of mobile devices
• Horizontal integration
• Mobile technologies
• Mobile phones technologies
• Podcast

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Use of new technology in CALL

• Practitioners attitude towards technology
• Implications for role of technology in CALL
• Making choices of technology
• Applying new technology to LL
• Problems of new technologies

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Making choices of technology

• Pedagogical needs vs. technology advances
• Institutional decisions
• Noble (1999)
• Little (2001)
• Localization of CALL
• Personal recommendations
• Country/region-specific technology developments

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Reasons for technology choice

• Hardware and software requirements
• Compatibility with existing technologies
• Institutional support of the technology
• Ease of learning how to use
• General scoop of use
• Expected lifespan

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Applying new technology to LL

• Matching technology to LL goals
• Increases diversity, productivity and motivation
• Failure leads to student anxiety and adverse
  effects
• Hybridization through SCORM and XML
• Flexibility in platform choice
• Knowledge pooling and reusability
• Example XML and XSL allow
• Easy format conversion (Ward 2002)
• Detailed task description (Mishan Strunz 2003)

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Applying new technology to LL

• Conferencing
• Access to real NSs hardware, software, partners
• Levy Kennedy (2004) sequence of tasks
• ICALL and speech technology
• Individualized learning and specific feedbacks
• Nagata (2002) BANZAI
• Mobile technology
• Exclusion of students with no access
• Kiernan and Aizawa (2004) cell phones in TBLT

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Problems of new technologies

• Digital format of material
• Plagiarism and copying
• Hacking into online quizzes
• Machine translation

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Exercise with ANGEL

• Types of activities
• Incorporating multimedia material in activities
• Communication
• Other course functions

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