Spoken Language Identification for Children

While taking foreign language tests, people may respond in languages other than the expected one. Typical scoring systems are trained only on the expected language, so unexpected language responses can have unusual results in speech recognition and scoring. Pearson would like to develop a more robust system for the automated speech recognition machine to know up front if the response contains non-target language content. Common language labels are English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, etc. Audio files are typically from 5 to 90 seconds long.

Can Learning Catalytics Replace Clickers?

Classroom response tools such as the ‘clicker’ are devices that students use in class to answer multiple-choice questions. Many studies have shown that clickers can lead to increased learning when properly used. Learning Catalytics is a new web-based tool marketed by Pearson that is meant to replace clickers. While Learning Catalytics offers more features than clickers there are also concerns which must be addressed: 1) Does the use of a web-based tool lead to more distraction in class (texting, facebook)? 2) Is Learning Catalytics as efficient as clickers in supporting students’ learning?

Assessing the Effectiveness of Knewton's Adaptive Learning Technology Year Two

I will be involved in two different projects with Pearson Education, 1) evaluate Knewton’s adaptive learningtechnology, and 2) assess the efficacy and improve the quality of the existing assessment tools and items. My proposalwill focus on the first project.The goal of the project is to evaluate the effectiveness and pedagogical values of Knewton’s adaptive learningtechnology, a technology meant to differentially help students depending on their needs.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Knewton's Adaptive Learning Technology

The goal of the project is to evaluate the pedagogical impact of Pearson’s Knewton-enhanced MyLab products in comparison to their regular MyLab products. Our focus will be on Knewton-enhanced MyMathLab and MyStatsLab. This project will deploy Knewton’s adaptive learning technology in our Data Analysis in Psychology course, a course dominated by second year students (approximately 90%). The course is a requirement for all Psychology students and offered every Fall semester. The assessment will occur in Fall 2013 and will provide data from over 300 students.

Capturing Learning in the Classroom (CLIC)

CLIC (Capturing Learning in the Classroom) is a Canadian-developed web-application designed to allow teachers to document observations of children’s learning experiences in the classroom. It streamlines the documentation process and automatically generates summaries for planning and communication of learning. CLIC enables teachers to link their observations to the expectations set out in the standardized curriculum document.

Evidence-based product support and the cultivation of a community of learners

While consumers adopt technological solutions based on their perceived usefulness, continued use of those products often depends on the support customers receive as they initially use the product, and when they run into problems or complex uses. Traditional support models (e.g., call centres) are often costly and only somewhat effective.