A Generic Software Framework for Intelligent Integrated Computer-Assisted Language Learning (iiCALL) Environment

1. A Generic Software Framework
for Intelligent Integrated Computer-Assisted
Language Learning (iiCALL) Environment
Harald Wahl - UAS Technikum Wien
Rudolf Galler - UAS Technikum Wien
Werner Winiwarter - University of Vienna
ICWL 2015
The 14th International Conference on Web-based Learning
5-8 November 2015, Guangzhou, P.R.China

2. Agenda
 Motivation - Research Overview
 From CALL to iiCALL
 System Architecture
 The Generic Data Model (GDM)
 The Software Framework
 Future Work

3. Research Exposé
Natural Language Processing (NLP) has become a widespread discipline providing its
technology for applications from automatic translations to speech recognition. The research
for this thesis deals with NLP in the field of learning languages online. Whilst several online
platforms already offer courses for language learning they are more or less well structured
courses providing possibilities to learn foreign languages primarily for the purpose of
everyday speaking tasks. Work in this PHD thesis concentrates on a context related learning,
which means improving language skills for specific business or life segments. It emphasizes
creating an integrated e-learning system for developing specialized high-level multilingual
communication skills based on the concept of knowledge modeling. Integrated e-learning
system should be understood in the way that the system is accessible by common working
environments like Web browsers, email clients, office programs, cell phones, or PDAs,
respectively. Users should be able to gain language skills for special purposes in different
areas of activity, be it engineering, health, economics or others.
From a technical point of view, resources are provided by language corpora enriched with
specific semantic information. A dynamic and extensible data model and a software
framework form the technical basis. Application support is given by a plug-in concept. A plug-
in allows accessing language corpora and providing specific functions on demand.
Research is positioned in an interdisciplinary technological context in the fields of Natural
Language Processing, Semantic Web, and e-learning. The most relevant publications can be
taken from these areas.
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
learning languages online
context related learning
for specific business or life segments
integrated e-learning system
gain language skills for special
purposes in different areas of activity
resources are provided by language
corpora enriched with specific semantic
information
dynamic and extensible data model
software framework
Natural Language Processing, Semantic Web, and e-
learning

4. Research Exposé
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
learning languages online
context related learning
for specific business or life segments
integrated e-learning system
gain language skills for special
purposes in different areas of activity
resources are provided by language
corpora enriched with specific semantic
information
dynamic and extensible data model
software framework
Natural Language Processing, Semantic Web, and e-
learning

5. From CALL to iiCALL
 Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL)
– “the search for and study of applications of the computer in
language teaching and learning” Levy (1997)
 Intelligent CALL (ICALL)
– CALL + NLP + AI
 Our research additionally deals with integrated
environments
– Intelligent Integrated Computer-Assisted Language Learning
(iiCALL)

6. Architecture 1.0
Platformsfor integration
Workflow Engine
LR NLP
4
ApacheTomcat
Web
3
iiCALLenvironment
1 2

7. Vocabulary trainer

8. Drawbacks
 Inflexible wrt. to new functionalities
 Change management is difficult
– Change of server database
– Change of client databases
 WSDL spec. per scenario
 No common semantic understanding

9. Similar problems in e-health
 Different software developer
 Need of semantic interoperability
 Standard HL7 (currently in version 3)
– Reference Information Model

10. HL7 Reference Information Model
 Just a few core classes
 Provides standards for data exchange to allow
interoperability between healthcare information systems
Act
Relationship
ParticipationRole
Role Link
ActEntity
A physical thing,
group of physical
things or an
organization capable
of participating in
Acts, while in a role.
A record of something
that is being done, has
been done, can be
done, or is intended or
requested to be done.
A competency of the Entity
playing the Role as
identified, defined,
guaranteed, or
acknowledged by the Entity
that Scopes the Role.
An association between an
Act and a Role with an Entity
playing that Role. Each
Entity (in a Role) involved in
an Act in a certain way is
linked to the act by one
Participation-instance.
Entity Role Participation Act
A connection between two
roles expressing a
dependency between those
roles.
A directed association
between a source act and a
target act.
Role Link Act Relationship
0..1
0..n
1
0..n
0..n
1
0..1
0..n
0..n 0..n
1 1
0..n 0..n
1 1

12. Is there a similarity to language learning
 Exemplary Use Cases
– Vocabulary trainer
– Cloze text
– Social translation
– Group work
– Entry-level tests
– Improve medical language skills (nursing staff)
– Train communication phrases (tourists, travelers)
– …

13. Vocabulary trainer, Cloze text, …
 Involved:
– Learner, Skill level, Language to be learned, Text, Multiple
Choice Test, Result, Learning steps (workflow)

14. The iiCALL Generic Data Model (GDM)
 Semantic interoperability the learning domain
 Need of common (standardized) understanding
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15. Generic data model
 Entity:
– Learner: Person
– Language: Language
 Role:
– Person in the role of learner
– Person in the role of trainer
– Language in the role of language to be learned
 Participation / Act / Act Relationship:
– Learner and language participate in vocabulary training
– Workflow of Vocabulary training consists of several process
steps

16. Refined GDM
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17. iiCALL Architecture 2.0

18. Development Methodology
CONCEPT => DESIGN => IMPLEMENTATION
18
© FH Technikum Wien

19. iiCALL Software Framework Overview
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© FH Technikum Wien

20. Demonstration
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© FH Technikum Wien

21. Future work
 Additional use cases
 Interaction with existing authentication and authorization
systems (FacebookLogin, Oauth, …)
 Scalabilty

22. Thank you for your attention
Harald Wahl
University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien
wahl@technikum-wien.at
http://staff.technikum-wien.at/~wahl