scholarly journals Foghlaim ríomhchuidithe teanga-chliste agus teicneolaíocht na hurlabhra: Féidearthachtaí do theagasc/d’fhoghlaim na Gaeilge

Author(s):  
Neasa Ní Chiaráin

Tá an córas sintéiseach téacs-go-hurlabhra, ABAIR (www.abair.ie), á fhorbairt sa tSaotharlann Foghraíochta agus Urlabhra i gColáiste na Tríonóide le roinnt blianta anuas agus tá na guthanna sintéiseacha ar fáil anois sna trí mhórchanúint – Canúint na Mumhan (baineann agus fireann), Canúint Connacht (fireann) agus Canúint Uladh (baineann). Tá obair thaighde ar siúl sa tSaotharlann le blianta beaga anuas chun féachaint ar na feidhmeanna ar féidir a bhaint as na guthanna seo. Tá an páipéar seo dírithe ar an úsáid a d'fhéadfaí a bhaint astu i réimse Fhoghlaim Ríomhchuidithe Teangacha-Chliste (FRT-Chliste) agus go háirithe ar an úsáid a d'fhéadfaí a bhaint astu i bhforbairt ardán a cheadódh don fhoghlaimeoir idirghníomhaíocht phearsanta a dhéanamh leis an ríomhaire, rud a chabhródh le foghlaim fhéinriartha na Gaeilge. Léirítear féidearthachtaí na teicneolaíochtaí seo i gcomhthéacs an ardáin phíolótaigh, An Scéalaí, atá á fhorbairt faoi láthair. Text-to-speech synthesis systems are being developed as part of the ABAIR initiative (www.abair.ie), in the Phonetics and Speech Laboratory in Trinity College Dublin. Synthetic voices are now available in the three major dialects - Munster (female and male), Connacht (male) and Ulster (female). This paper gives an overview of the Irish synthetic voices and focuses on their use in the context of Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning (iCALL) and in particular their use in the development of interactive language learning platforms for the self-directed learning of Irish. The potential of this technology is demonstrated in the context of a new iCALL platform, An Scéalaí (‘the Storyteller’), currently under development.

Author(s):  
Neasa Ní Chiaráin ◽  
Ailbhe Ní Chasaide

This chapter describes the potential of text-to-speech synthesis (TTS) as a tool that can transform CALL platforms. Illustrating this point, a specific platform, An Scéalaí, is presented. By incorporating TTS, this platform facilitates the training of literacy skills, writing, and reading, with an emphasis at all times on the spoken language. The platform is described, as is the way in which it functions as a personalised tutor, prompting the learner towards self-correction. The prompts are delivered in both spoken/auditory form (using TTS voices) and in written form. The auditory feedback enables prooflistening, as well as spoken instructions pertaining to specific errors not picked up in the prooflistening process. The learner's progress is monitored throughout and records of the process are harvested for future research. The language in focus is Irish, and the linguistic complexities being targeted in the present implementation are explained, along with the relevant sociolinguistic context.


2021 ◽  
pp. 9-35
Author(s):  
Anna Bączkowska

This paper aims at providing a survey of the most popular online educational platforms and mobile apps for language learning. It gives an overview of the development and current trends in what is generally labelled computer-assisted language learning (CALL) with reference to select pedagogical theories; in particular, those embedded in the theoretical framework of broadly defined constructivism, as well as select learning processes, including self-regulation, self-directed learning, personal knowledge management and the concept of learner autonomy. Following this theoretical backdrop, the analysis of 30 educational platforms for language learning is presented, which were evaluated against several criteria, such as accessibility, revised Bloom et al.’s taxonomy of learning outcomes, language levels, typology of exercises, etc.


Author(s):  
Neasa Ní Chiaráin ◽  
Ailbhe Ní Chasaide

A key benefit in intelligent Computer Assisted Language Learning (iCALL) is that it allows complex linguistic phenomena to be incorporated into digital learning platforms, either for the autonomous learner or to complement classroom teaching. The present paper describes (1) complex phonological/morphophonemic alternations of Irish, which are problematic for many learners; (2) an iCALL platform, An Scéalaí, which uses speech technology and Natural Language Processing (NLP) prompts to train writing and aural skills – in this paper the target is the morphophonemic alternations of (1); and (3) a perception experiment to guide how the platform might be used for prompt-based self-correction. The perception experiment has been carried out using newly built synthetic voices based on deep neural network technology.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Benavides

The idea of autonomous learning through a process of self-access learning is a very powerful one since CALL (Computer-Assisted Language Learning) can provide environments which could cope with a large variety of learning possibilities and learning styles. The autonomous computer user is free to choose his own course, topics, and work at his own pace. However, in this approach, high motivation may not necessarily mean learning efficiently. The student may not be very good at selecting his own learning strategy, especially at initial stages. This problem could be alleviated if the introduction of learning autonomy, through self-access learning, is done as a process where the learner is being trained to progressively go from an externally-directed-learning approach to a self-directed learning approach.


2003 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 44-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayuki Machida

This study examined the implementation of computer assisted group project activities in a beginners’ Japanese foreign language course. Questions to be investigated were whether or not the implementation of the activities facilitated the beginners’ learning and what other factors affected their learning through the project. Data on (a) the learners’ motivation toward Japanese learning and language learning using the computer, (b) their perceptions of their achievement, and (c) their reflections on the project-based activities, were collected by questionnaire surveys and through the subjects’ journals and reports. The analysis of the participants’ feedback demonstrated that the computer assisted group project activities were overall received positively and provided some, if not all, learners with an alternative approach for learning Japanese as a foreign language. Generally the more smoothly the group work went, the more the learners appear to have achieved through the activities. Three factors appeared to be crucial for the success of the activities: (1) self-directed learning; (2) group dynamics; and, (3) computer-related skills. These outcomes are rather encouraging for the use of projectbased activities as part of the course syllabus.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramia DIRAR SHEHADEH MUSMAR

Integrating scaffolding-learning technologies has been recognized for its potential to create intellectual and engaging classroom interactions. In the United Arab Emirates, having language teachers employ computers as a medium of new pedagogical instrument for teaching second languages generated the idea of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) as a medium of an innovative pedagogical instrument for facilitating and scaffolding language learning, with an aspiration that it will lead to improved English language attainment and better assessment results. This study aims at investigating the perspectives of students and teachers on the advantageous and disadvantageous impacts of CALL on learning and teaching English as a second language in one public school in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The results show that CALL has a facilitating role in L2 classroom and that using CALL activities is advantageous in reducing English learning tension, boosting motivation, catering for student diversity, promoting self-directed language learning and scaffolding while learning English. The results additionally report that numerous aspects like time constraints, teachers’ unsatisfactory computer skills, insufficient computer facilities, and inflexible school courses undesirably affect the implementation of CALL in English classrooms. It is recommended that further studies should be undertaken to investigate the actual effect of CALL on students’ language proficiency. 


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