2015 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Language apps for mobile learning
| Project/Area Number |
26370669
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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, 工学部, 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) |
2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
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| Keywords | mobile / language / learning / CALL / speaking |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
In 2015, the second stage of the application development was implemented. The videoboard, slideshow, voiceshadow, and speaking assessment applications were updated to be compatible with the latest version of the Moodle course management system. Voice recognition and voice synthesis tools were also added to the voiceshadow and speaking assessment apps. The voice recognition was implemented using Google's Web Speech API and allows for spoken text to be captured and transcribed. The transcribed text is then used to generate an automated speaking score.
The speaking assessment tool was updated to html5. Recording of speech is now implemented using a web-based JavaScript library. Also, an automated scoring algorithm was implemented using a string similarity tool for computerized scoring of spoken language.
Finally a new app was developed called MediaBoard, which makes it possible to create online slideshows with graphics and audio, and is useful for sharing learners' outside experiences in a classroom environment.
As far as research, we continue to collect data on the use of the applications. In 2015, two research papers were submitted and accepted, and the next research paper for 2016 is nearly complete. The researches ave also given several presentations about this research project and conducted a number of workshops on how to best implement these speaking applications in the classroom.
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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
In 2015 we worked with the same programmer as in 2014, therefore the development of the apps and communication with the programmer continued to improve. In addition teachers and students have been using the applications for over 2 years in the classroom. User feedback was generated which allowed us to improve the applications.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
In 2016, a mobile app is being developed that can work in conjunction with the web-based apps, since iOS doesn’t allow access to audio capture in html5. This app will automatically launch from an html website when a user needs to record audio on an iOS device.
The automated scoring algorithm will also be improved to provide a higher confidence in the computer generated speaking scores.
As this is the final year of this grant, journal publications will be the main objective. Two research articles have already been submitted and accepted for publication in 2016. Another paper will be submitted for publication in 2017.
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| Causes of Carryover |
A minimal amount of 65,210円 was not used in 2015 as it was difficult to predict the costs involved with application development and programming costs.
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| Expenditure Plan for Carryover Budget |
In 2016, the amount of 65,210円 will be used for updating the application software.
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