Developing an Alternative Math Assessment Tool Using Speech Recognition

The world today is now in the era of Information Technology. The development of ICT-based processes specifically in the area of assessment in school is now visible. Project LISTEN (Literacy Innovation that Speech Technology ENables) is an inter-disciplinary research project at Carnegie Mellon University to develop a novel tool to improve literacy – an automated Reading Tutor that displays stories on a computer screen, and listens to children read aloud. This study does not provide right or wrong answers for they let the user evaluate the answer. The main objective of this study is to develop an Alternative Math Assessment Tool for Preschoolers using Speech Recognition. These software aims to assist teachers in the review of Math lessons for preschooler using speech recognition. The development of the system utilizes the System Development Cycle approach that includes data gathering to identify system’s expected functionalities, designing the system using Use-Case Diagram, integration of JSAPI for Voice Recognition, using Synthesizer software for reading the questions out loud, a graphical display of teacher representation and a graphical display for every questions in the review. Along in the development of this assessment tool is the implementation of the system. The system was developed using Java Programming language. It also uses MySql database to store data for preschooler, review questions and text answers. In the conduct of the review digital microphone and a speaker is needed. The developed system is capable of creating questions for a particular review, activating a review for the preschooler to take, and record the preschooler’s scores at every end of the review. The system also includes graphical display of questions. In the conduct of the review, the system was able to read out loud the questions, and a 5-second time span for the pupil to answer the review questions. The system will listen and the feedback from the study will display the correctly uttered answer. User testing results indicates an 83% correct response of system against the correct uttered answer of the preschooler.

Human Resource Development Through Foreign Aided Projects in Azad Jammu & Kashmir

This study presents an analysis of the impact of training (capacity development) through three foreign aided project in AJK. For that purpose a customized set of capacity domains was developed using standard analysis tools devised and used by UNDP against whom the change due to trainings will be measured. The variables of the model are Relevance, Performance, Efficiency, Effectiveness, Sustainability, Community Participation. The study is theoretical as well as statistical in nature. The statistical estimates and analysis are based on a data set of various surveys and scheduled interviews. The study concludes that although trainings for the extension workers and master trainers were relevant and efficient but they couldn''t provide desired results as these workers couldn''t pass on the knowledge gained to the ultimate beneficiaries of the project. This study identifies some inherent flaws and exclusion of some important factors which rendered the trainings less effective. Sustainability and community participation were the weaker areas of the project and created some negative effects. The analysis also includes recommendations for more prudent future policy making of such projects. This research study is first of its kind for the Azad Kashmir. This will help not only in presenting an overview of lessons learnt, strengths and weaknesses of the foreign aided projects. But will serve as data base for short term and long term planning and future research