Development of a Computer-Aided Marking System and Learner Reference for Language Teaching and Learning

Project Title

Development of a Computer-Aided Marking System and Learner Reference for Language Teaching and Learning

Project Leader

Dr John Milton

School / Dept

LANG

Project Duration

Sept 2002 - Jun 2005

Project Description

This project involved developing a tool (Mark My Words) consisting of MS-Word toolbars to enable markers to insert pre-written comments, and online references in students’ written assignments and then save and upload the files to a server. Currently comments and tools are supplied for feedback on English language writing assignments, but comments can be multilingual and directed at written assignments for any subject where feedback requires repetitive comments or benefits from online content or language-based references. Comments were uploaded to a central database so that instructors can track students’ progress in written assignments throughout a course or across courses. Problems and progress could be monitored, and subsequent instructors could retrieve the comment history for any student, section, etc. This tool also helped students evaluate and proofread both their own work (by using online resources such as concordancers) as well as one another’s writing (e.g. by selecting expertly written comments). Website: http://mws.ust.hk/mw/account/login.php

Project Outcome

• Mark My Words: i) Provided a means for teachers of any subject (especially language) to insert comments with embedded html links to online resources. ii) Commenting assisted via AI algorithms (Part-of-Speech tagging). iii) Generated comment/error logs for teachers’ and students’ reference. iv) Addressed many of the problems associated with giving feedback on student writing.

• Check My Words: i) Allowed students to access online resources to help the write more accurately and fluently in any language, especially English. ii)  Promoted discovery-based learning by helping students formulate queries and helps them identify their own common errors.

• Assignment Management System: Assisted students and teachers to exchange, archive and manage assignments.

• Other developments: This suite of tools had afforded opportunities to develop other related programs, such as a vocabulary acquisition program (provisionally called ‘My Words’).

Status

Completed

Project Documents
(Only accessible by HKUST users)

• Project Plan
• Progress Report: First | Second | Third | Forth | Fifth |
• Final Report

Adaptation

Full Project