Active machine learning research shows that training of classifiers can be improved when the learning algorithm itself selects training data (e.g., choosing examples for which it is uncertain). Recent work with humans documents similar improvements whereby ”active” learners who can select their own training examples are faster at learning simple classification rules than ”passive” learners who ...

One of the most popular beliefs among English L2 learners is that watching TV series can help them speak language fluently. While it seemingly genuine, as supported by many learning websites and successful learners, further investigations on this subject matter have been minimal. Therefore, research aims to find out roles in improving learners’ fluency English. In qualitative research, in-depth...

How does actively seeking explanations for one’s observations affect information search over the course of learning? Generating explanations could plausibly lead learners to take advantage of the information they have already obtained, resulting in less exploration. Alternatively, explaining could lead learners to explore more, especially after encountering evidence that suggests their current ...

This article discusses the integration of animated pedagogical agent into the development of cognitive tools based upon Scientific Inquiry Model for invoking learners’ cognitive conflict and fostering conceptual change. In this study, animated pedagogical agent acts as a catalyst while coaching the learner who interacts individually carrying out the hypothesize-observeexperiment activities. Stu...

many people believe that language teaching is a neutral practice. however, this belief is not without its own opponents. to many scholars, teaching languages cannot be devoid of teaching cultural values of the target language, which tacitly aims at denigrating cultural values of the community of the learners who are learning it. the ultimate purpose of such cultural oppression, according to the...

Accurately differentiating between what are truly unpredictably random and systematic changes that occur at random can have profound effect on affect and cognition. To examine the underlying computational principles that guide different learning behavior in an uncertain environment, we compared an R-W model and a Bayesian approach in a visual search task with different volatility levels. Both R...

This study employs a method in experimental phonetics to investigate the use of tones in 45 Chinese EFL learners’ read speech. The study is based on O’Connor & Arnold’s (1973) descriptions of tones of English, and takes the recorded spoken data of 8 English-speaking British university students as the norm for comparison. Findings of the study indicate that, so far as primary tones are concerned...

• subjective confidence influences selective information processing in word learning. adults ignore disconfirming when their meaning is high. a mutual-exclusivity inferences. Learning often accompanied by sense of one’s knowledge, feeling knowing what you know and how well it. Subjective has been shown to guide learning other domains, but received little attention so far the literature. Across ...

The Spanish subjunctive has been the focus of much SLA research, largely because it poses difficulties for learners of Spanish whose L1 is English (e.g., Collentine, 1993; Stokes & Krashen, 1990; Terrell et al., 1987). Investigating the same feature in heritage learners of Spanish can provide more information about their linguistic development and also has the potential to inform our knowledge ...