System for Rating Listening Materials

2015 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K02740
• Research Institution: Miyazaki International College
• Principal Investigator: MURRAY ADAM 宮崎国際大学, 教育学部, 講師 (60515013)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: コンピュータ支援学習 / リスニング / e-ラーニング

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

The overall purpose of the research is to develop and validate a system for rating the difficulty of foreign language listening materials. During the 2015 academic year, the principal investigator made the online system – LiMaS (Listening Materials System) for collecting data. The system is fully operational and is ready for use. In addition to setting up LiMaS, some listening materials have been uploaded to the system. To be specific, educational materials from the Voice of America (VOA) listening materials are in the system. In addition to the actual online system, a basic student feedback questionnaire has been created to collect the students’ perceived level of difficulty and the degree of personal interest for each listening passage.

Current Status of Research Progress

3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.

Reason

The research project is slightly delayed. According to the research plan, pilot-testing of the system was expected to be completed by the end of the 2015 academic year (Year 1). Because of institutional delays, development of the online system did not begin until the fall semester of the academic year. For this reason, the research project is approximately one semester behind the proposed timetable. Another difficulty was the introduction of the new TOEIC test and lack of materials available for the new test. However, the principal investigator is working hard to get the research project back on schedule.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

To improve the contents of the online system better, the principal investigator is planning to contact domestic and international textbook publishers to receive permission to user some copyrighted materials. Also, during the 2016 academic year, the principal investigator will be presenting about the development of the system at both domestic and international conferences. Based on observations made by the researcher and feedback from teachers and students involved in the research project, the online system will be modified as necessary.

Causes of Carryover

Because of the delay in starting the development of the online system, not all of the required articles were purchased. Also, website hosting was free because of an introductory campaign. Finally, textbooks were purchased using the library's budget instead of the KAKEN budget.

Expenditure Plan for Carryover Budget

Software will be purchased approximately 185,000 yen. Also, paid webhosting will become necessary (30,000 yen). Finally, the remaining equipment (tablet computer, and backup system) with be purchased.