Katherine Schmirler
Katherine Schmirler earned her PhD at the University of Alberta working with the Alberta Language Technology Lab on digital language tools for Plains Cree. She has recently completed a postdoctoral position with the Blackfoot Language Resources Lab at the University of Lethbridge where she continued work on digital language tools for Blackfoot.
Using a Blackfoot computational model to generate classroom exercises
Blackfoot learners must practice conjugating verb forms and using them properly in various situations. Memorizing conjugation tables is ineffective, and does not help learners practice the forms as needed in natural discourse. We propose generating dialogue-style exercise materials for practicing the full range of verb forms, by combining a Blackfoot computational model encoding the language's word structure with exercise templates describing question-answer pairs. The computational model can also support analyzing responses and provide feedback to the learner. We will present a prototype application for Blackfoot, based on preceding work for Plains Cree (Bontogon et al. 2017). Importantly, while access to fluent Blackfoot speakers is limited, this computational exercise platform can be made available on-line at any time of the day for many learners. Such a platform does not get tired, providing learners opportunities to practice as much as they need, in an anonymous fashion, without fear of critique.