Exploiting `Subjective' Annotations

Many interesting phenomena in conversation can only be annotated as a subjective task, requiring interpretative judgements from annotators. This leads to data which is annotated with lower levels of agreement not only due to errors in the annotation, but also due to the differences in how annotators interpret conversations. This paper constitutes an attempt to find out how subjective annotations with a low level of agreement can profitably be used for machine learning purposes. We analyse the (dis)agreements between annotators for two different cases in a multimodal annotated corpus and explicitly relate the results to the way machine-learning algorithms perform on the annotated data. Finally we present two new concepts, namely `subjective entity' classifiers resp. `consensus objective' classifiers, and give recommendations for using subjective data in machine-learning applications.\u

How Do I Address You? Modelling addressing behavior based on an analysis of a multi-modal corpora of conversational discourse

Addressing is a special kind of referring and thus principles of multi-modal referring expression generation will also be basic for generation of address terms and addressing gestures for conversational agents. Addressing is a special kind of referring because of the different (second person instead of object) role that the referent has in the interaction. Based on an analysis of addressing behaviour in multi-party face-to-face conversations (meetings, TV discussions as well as theater plays), we present outlines of a model for generating multi-modal verbal and non-verbal addressing behaviour for agents in multi-party interactions

A comparison of addressee detection methods for multiparty conversations

Several algorithms have recently been proposed for recognizing addressees in a group conversational setting. These algorithms can rely on a variety of factors including previous conversational roles, gaze and type of dialogue act. Both statistical supervised machine learning algorithms as well as rule based methods have been developed. In this paper, we compare several algorithms developed for several different genres of muliparty dialogue, and propose a new synthesis algorithm that matches the performance of machine learning algorithms while maintaning the transparancy of semantically meaningfull rule-based algorithms

Evaluation of the implementation of curriculum materials for civics in the Netherlands

Discusses a study evaluating the implementation of curriculum materials for civics in the Netherlands. Pedagogical principles aimed at increasing students' social commitment; Central research question; Exploration of broad context for implementation; Actual use of teaching packages by teachers

The use of innovation and practice profiles in the evaluation of curriculum implementation

Most generic curriculum reform efforts have to deal with a gap between the innovative aspirations of the initial designers and the daily reality of the intended audience of teachers. That tension is not alarming in itself. One might even say that without it no compelling reason for starting development work would exist. Unfortunately, many evaluation studies on the implementation and impact of curriculum development projects show that this discrepancy does not decrease over time. Apparently, not much improvement is made in detecting and reducing potential implementation problems.\ud This article presents some conceptual and instrumental guidelines for dealing with these problems, focusing on the use of `profiles¿ during evaluation of curriculum materials.\ud The paper starts with an introduction on the functions of exemplary curriculum materials and their possible representations, on the long road from original designers¿ ideas to effects of student learning. Next, we will explain the concepts of innovation and practice profiles. We will then provide guidelines for the development and use of such profiles, based on previous research experiences, and illustrated with some specific examples. Finally, we will reflect on the advantages and limitations of working with profiles

Assisted conception: fertility preservation, surrogate motherhood, gamete / embryo donation, and in vitro fertilization

Chapter 15. , pp 237-250. In: International Handbook of Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health. Eds Jane Ussher, Joan Chrisler and Janette Perz. Routledge. NY, USA

Reproductive health matters

You do not need to be a psychologist to know that reproductive health plays an important role in society and that individual psychological, behavioural and social factors affect reproductive health and vice versa. What you may not know is that psychological research has shown that health education, willpower, planning and the opportunity to exercise health behaviours such as moderate alcohol and caffeine consumption, not smoking or taking drugs and maintaining a balanced diet, can lead to a healthy reproductive lifestyle, much like it affects general health. Health behaviours can also free people from unnecessary and preventable damage (e.g. unsafe abortions) or disease (e.g. sexually transmitted infections); from the potential psychological consequences of these (depression, guilt, stigma); contribute to early detection and treatment (e.g. breast or testicular cancer); and reduced time off work and utilization of the health care system (van den Akker, 2012). Clearly, reproductive health matters