Becoming the Expert - Interactive Multi-Class Machine Teaching

Compared to machines, humans are extremely good at classifying images into categories, especially when they possess prior knowledge of the categories at hand. If this prior information is not available, supervision in the form of teaching images is required. To learn categories more quickly, people should see important and representative images first, followed by less important images later - or not at all. However, image-importance is individual-specific, i.e. a teaching image is important to a student if it changes their overall ability to discriminate between classes. Further, students keep learning, so while image-importance depends on their current knowledge, it also varies with time. In this work we propose an Interactive Machine Teaching algorithm that enables a computer to teach challenging visual concepts to a human. Our adaptive algorithm chooses, online, which labeled images from a teaching set should be shown to the student as they learn. We show that a teaching strategy that probabilistically models the student's ability and progress, based on their correct and incorrect answers, produces better 'experts'. We present results using real human participants across several varied and challenging real-world datasets.Comment: CVPR 201

Interactive Teaching Algorithms for Inverse Reinforcement Learning

We study the problem of inverse reinforcement learning (IRL) with the added twist that the learner is assisted by a helpful teacher. More formally, we tackle the following algorithmic question: How could a teacher provide an informative sequence of demonstrations to an IRL learner to speed up the learning process? We present an interactive teaching framework where a teacher adaptively chooses the next demonstration based on learner's current policy. In particular, we design teaching algorithms for two concrete settings: an omniscient setting where a teacher has full knowledge about the learner's dynamics and a blackbox setting where the teacher has minimal knowledge. Then, we study a sequential variant of the popular MCE-IRL learner and prove convergence guarantees of our teaching algorithm in the omniscient setting. Extensive experiments with a car driving simulator environment show that the learning progress can be speeded up drastically as compared to an uninformative teacher.Comment: IJCAI'19 paper (extended version

Trends in LN-embedding practices at Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) in 2019

In this report, we describe the trends in literacy-embedding practices of level-2 and level-3 tutors who worked in vocational contexts at Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec), and who completed the New Zealand Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy Education (NZCALNE[Voc]) in 2019. We analysed 19 observations, following constructivist grounded theory methodology (Charmaz, 2014), to produce 1302 descriptive labels that highlight literacy and numeracy practices integrated into tutors’ teaching intentionally pursued in a collaborative and mentored training process. Of the initial 12 categories, we conflated the mapping of LN course demands and identifying learners’ LN needs to arrive at a final 11. We then used these categories in an axial analysis (Saldaňa, 2013), categorising the 1302 labels as binaries (i.e. if the label was related to the category, 1 was coded; if not 0 [zero]). The matrix of 14322 ratings of 1s and 0s was then analysed. We calculated the frequency of 1s by category. We argued that the axial analysis allowed us to develop a more holistic perspective which showed how the 1302 labels were configured in relation to the 11 categories of analysis. We concluded that the 11 categories represented key aspects of vocational teaching and training emphasising that LN-embedding practices have to be seamlessly integrated into general pedagogical approaches. A key construct for new tutors is to shape their understanding of seamlessly integrated versus bolted-on LN practices. Our recommendations remain within the whole-of-organisation perspective proposed in the 2017-2018 report (Greyling, 2019)

Innovation and identity in distance language learning and teaching

doi: 10.2167/illt45.0Innovation in distance language learning and teaching has largely focused on developments in technology and the increased opportunities they provide for negotiation and control of learning experiences, for participating in collaborative learning environments and the development of interactive competence in the target language. Much less attention has been paid to pedagogical innovation and still less to how congruence develops between particular pedagogical approaches, various technologies and the skills, practices, actions and identities of language learners and teachers. In this article I explore the process of innovation in distance language teaching from the point of view of key participants in the process, the teachers, and the ways in which their identities are disrupted and challenged as they enter new distance teaching environments. Innovative approaches to distance language teaching are analysed for the insights they provide into the sites of conflict and struggle experienced by teachers, experiences which have a major impact on their selves as distance teachers and on the course of innovation. To conclude I argue that attention to issues of identity can deepen our understanding of innovation, of the tensions that are played out in the experiences and responses of teachers, and of the ways they accept or resist the identity shifts required of them

Designing a scenario-based syllabus for young learners

As we tentatively proceed into this brave new teaching world of the 21st century, much debate is centering on the effective teaching of English to young learners. Key to this discussion has been the role of the young learner syllabus. While this article makes reference to the teaching of English to young learners in an ESL context based on documentation developed within the European Union, the issues raised are by no means particularly specific to this region nor merely to the teaching of the English language. On the contrary, this article aims to show how to use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (the CEFRL) to effectively design a scenario-based syllabus and complementary materials suitable for young learners, regardless of location. The need for appropriate target setting is stressed, and the case is put forward for a scenario-based syllabus. The underlying rationale is that a second language syllabus must reflect the world of the young learner and facilitate the acquisition of language in the classroom

'Getting Started': pre-induction access to higher education

Abstract: The transition to higher education poses challenges on many levels. One UK University has piloted a scheme that is designed to prepare prospective students for academic study. ‘Getting Started’ gives prospective students access to the university’s virtual learning environment, prior to induction where they are invited to post queries to a discussion board moderated by a team of support staff and tutors. In 2008 the decision was made to extend the project to include a suite of learning development materials called ‘Snapshot’. This contains bite sized chunks, or ‘snapshots’, of academic practice including academic thinking, reading and writing. Each chunk of information includes an activity designed to encourage early independent, self motivated learning. These combined projects tackle the challenges of entrance into higher education for students from both traditional and non-traditional backgrounds and offer a model of good practice designed to convert offers to places and improve retention

Interactive Lesson as a Macro-Unit of Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language in Short-Term Courses

The relevance of the topic of this article is due to the need to strengthen the interactive side of the process of teaching a foreign language in short-term courses in the language environment. The purpose of the study is to establish the ratio of interactive forms and methods that determine the specifics of an interactive lesson of foreign language. In contrast to the existing points of view, we attempted to prove that the effectiveness of interactive learning depends on the systematization of interactive forms and methods of teaching and the sequence of their use. To study the patterns of interactive learning of a foreign language, we applied the following methods: observation, experiment, and analysis method. An analysis of the interactive forms and methods of teaching foreigners the Russian language in short-term courses in Russia shows that the use of the learning potential of the language environment makes the content of learning natural, topical and interesting. Avoiding traditional teaching methods allows organizing the exchange of thoughts and feelings in terms of speech interaction when creating a joint product (both verbal and non-verbal). The interactive lesson, which acts as a macro unit for selecting and organizing the content of Russian as a foreign language (RFL) training in short-term courses, consists of three blocks (motivational-introductory, activity-oriented and resultant). Specially selected for each communication situation and arranged in a certain order interactive forms and methods are presented in the system of interactive exercises and tasks, classified according to the stages of mastering speech actions in different communicative situations. The article presents the forms and methods of interactive teaching of Russian as a foreign language, which teachers can use in short-term courses. The authors have shown that interactive methods and forms of teaching stimulate foreign students to speak and communicate in the target language. This contributes to the development of skills of social and academic interaction of students to solve pressing communication problems in real situations of communication. We see the perspective of research in the development of interactive methods of teaching a foreign language for different age groups of students and different levels of proficiency in a foreign language.Актуальность темы данной статьи обусловлена необходимостью усиления интерактивной стороны процесса обучения иностранному языку на краткосрочных курсах в языковой среде. Цель исследования – установить соотношение интерактивных форм и приемов, которые определяют специфику интерактивного урока иностранного языка. В противоположность существующим точкам зрения мы предприняли попытку доказать, что эффективность интерактивного обучения зависит от систематизации интерактивных форм и приемов обучения и последовательности их использования. Для исследования закономерностей интерактивного обучения иностранному языку мы применили следующие методы: наблюдение, эксперимент и аналитический метод. Анализ интерактивных форм и приемов обучения иностранцев русскому языку на краткосрочных курсах в России показывает, что использование обучающего потенциала языковой среды делает содержание обучения естественным, актуальным и интересным. Отход от традиционных приемов обучения позволяет организовать обмен мыслями и чувствами в условиях речевого взаимодействия при создании совместного продукта (как речевого, так и неречевого). Интерактивный урок, выступающий как макроединица отбора и содержания обучения русскому языку как иностранному (РКИ) на краткосрочных курсах, состоит из трех блоков (мотивационно-ознакомительный, деятельностно-ориентированный и результативный). Специально отобранные для каждой ситуации общения и расположенные в определенном порядке интерактивные формы и приемы представлены в системе интерактивных упражнений и заданий, классифицированных в зависимости от стадий усвоения речевых действий в разных коммуникативных ситуациях. В статье представлены формы и приемы интерактивного обучения русскому языку как иностранному, которые преподаватели могут применять на краткосрочных курсах. Авторы показали, что интерактивные приемы и формы обучения стимулируют иностранных учащихся к устно-речевому общению на изучаемом языке. Это способствует развитию умений социального и учебного взаимодействия учащихся для решения актуальных коммуникативных задач в реальных ситуациях общения. Перспектива исследования видится в том, чтобы разработать интерактивные приемы обучения иностранному языку для разных возрастных групп учащихся и разных уровней владения иностранным языком

Using Technology to Support At-Risk Students' Learning

A new report finds that technology - when implemented properly -can produce significant gains in student achievement and boost engagement, particularly among students most at risk