2018 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Development of a computerized speech assessment & feedback system
| Project/Area Number |
17K02937
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| Research Institution | Kochi University of Technology |
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Principal Investigator |
ダニエルズ ポール 高知工科大学, 共通教育教室, 教授 (50307245)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
熊井 信弘 学習院大学, 付置研究所, 教授 (00248999)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
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| Keywords | automated scoring / speaking / voice recognition / English |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
1. An comparative study was conducted to check the correlation between computerized scoring of speech, human-scoring of speech and traditional receptive standardized test scores. Results of the study were published in the JALT CUE Journal. The research was also presented at both domestic and international language conferences. 2. Version 2 of the speech assessment system was developed and is currently being tested at several universities. 3. The new Version 2 of the speech assessment system includes a shared speaking 'question bank', support for adding video with subtitles allowing learners to choose video content of interest and speak words in context. 4. All software was updated to run on the latest version of the Moodle course management system. 5. The automated scoring algorithm was further improved and support was added for additional languages other than English. 6. Spoken samples along with the corresponding automated scores were collated and analyzed to continue to improve the accuracy of the automated scoring algorithm. 7. Initial testing has also begun with using our latest speech assessment engine to evaluate “shadowing performance”. Computer-scored ‘shadowing’ tasks are currently being tested within shadowing practice oriented classrooms.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The second version of the software was successfully developed over the past year due to the experienced and knowledgeable programmer that has been working on this project over the past 6 years.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
1. The latest version 2 of the system will be deployed with an aim to simplify the creation, sharing and completion of the computerized speaking tasks.
2. The relationships between computerized and human scoring of spoken tasks will be further investigated over the coming year.
3. Research data will continually be published in both domestic and international academic journals and at reported at academic meetings.
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| Causes of Carryover |
A nominal amount of 64,336 was not used in 2018. The programming costs were less than expected because the programmer working on the development was not able to complete all of the proposed tasks in 2018. This amount will be used in 2019 for programming to further improve the functions of the speech assessment system.
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