Speech and Natural Language Processing for Educational Applications

(CS 3710 / ISSP 3565: Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence)
Time: MW 1:00-2:15  Place 6106 Sennott Square (note room change!)
Professor:  Diane Litman Office Hours: By appointment (5105 Sennott Square or 741 LRDC)
Email:  litman at cs dot pitt dot edu Phone:  412-624-8838 (Sennott Square); 412-624-1261 (LRDC)

Description:

NLP-based applications in educational environments continue to develop at a fast pace. Initial work began as early as the 1960's on evaluating written essay-length and short-answer assessments, text-based intelligent tutoring systems (ITS), and proofreading tools. These fields continue to progress using innovative NLP techniques - statistical, rule-based, or some combination of the two. More recently, new technologies have made it possible to include speech in both assessment and ITS. Using a somewhat different approach, NLP techniques are being used to generate assessments and tools for curriculum development. As a community we are not only improving existing capabilities, but identifying and generating innovative and creative ways to use NLP in applications for writing, reading, speaking, and critical thinking. [from Workshop Description, 4th Workshop on Innovative Use of NLP for Building Educational Applications, 2009]
Topics will be drawn from the following areas:

Syllabus:

Schedule

Readings

Course Requirements:

Course Project: 40% (proposal: 8%, presentation: 8%, report: 24%)

Class Presentations: 25%

Reaction Essays : 25%

Class Participation: 10%

Because in-class discussions are an important part of this course, absences are strongly discouraged. Even if an absence is unavoidable, you are still responsible for making arrangements to turn in the assignments on time. Late assignments will not be accepted. No extensions will be given, except in case of extraordinary and documented circumstances (e.g., hospitalization).

Academic Integrity:

If you include material from any source in your presentation and/or projects, you must acknowledge it. Your presentations and projects should represent your (and your partner's, if applicable) original work.

Students with Disabilities:

If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and Disability Resources and Services, 216 William Pitt Union, (412) 648-7890/(412) 383-7355 (TTY), as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accomodations for this course.

Links:

Upcoming Meetings (with publication opportunites for your project!):