NLP or natural language processing has the potential to drastically change the outcomes of modern education system. There is ample evidence that it has the ability to parse and summarize arguments. Which is useful for writers in improving their prose and provides motivation to review works.
But how can it be instrumental in improving classroom education and bring technology beneficially to students? It has successfully been used in education to identify issues in grammar and comprehension. Apart from these areas it can also address more significant obstacles faced by teachers and learners both. But before getting into its depth, it is important to understand the details of NLP itself.
Natural Language Processing
So, what is natural language processing exactly? It is basically a branch of artificial intelligence which helps computers comprehend, manipulate, and interpret human language. The pursuit of NLP is to bridge the gap between digital understanding and human communication.
Although it is not a brand-new concept, it is only recently that it has advanced in leaps and bounds. This is due to the increase in interest to learn more about human to machine contact. Other factors include availability of data, stronger computing, and enhanced algorithms.
Natural language processing in reading and writing
Firstly, the developments made in NLP help students to improve their writing skills. It provides formative feedback for specific sections in essays, EssayMills which can be extremely helpful during review. Further improving more skills than just mechanics and grammar of writing.
For example, NLP is useful in identifying the presence or absence of important elements of discourse. These include arguments, evidence, and claims and lending feedback about how an essay should be organized. These solutions effectively combine to create automatic writing evaluation systems which provide both low- and higher-level feedbacks.
Ultimately this in tandem with holistic feedback allows students to review their work from all angles. Implementing this technique ensures that teachers receive samples of essay writing which are well-developed. Moreover, it makes more convenient for teachers to focus upon elements that are harder to assess through computer algorithms. Such as writing style, argumentation, and material organization.
However, currently there is a certain limitation to natural language processing in education. They are mostly focused independent and persuasive essay which do not need much background knowledge. These do not wholly encompass all the expectations students have to fulfill within the classroom environment.
Therefore, research is continually working to expand the nature of NLP to cover more essay types. Sourced based essays will be added specifically where external narratives, expository texts, summaries, and narratives are integrated.
Apart from writing, NLP can go a long way in helping learners with reading difficulties. Its algorithms, provide feedback automatically to students about the strength of summaries and self-explanation of reading samples. Both of these elements are key to reading comprehension. But with the regular classroom routine, teachers do not have the extra hours to provide individualized feedback. But natural language processing can cover that base efficiently.
Natural Language Processing’s role in learning motivation and behavior
Beyond working on the language skills of students, NLP can be used to help educators identify their cognitive issues. Through the analysis of language usage in the class, teachers can understand students’ mental states while learning. But the research in this area is still at an initial stage and needs to improve further.
According to research, the textual features in a student’s spoken and written work can predict success in science and math. This automated assessment of mental states can give teachers a distinct advantage. They can better comprehend how capable their students are of learning a particular concept. Having this information is useful for efficient class management, early identification of student problems, and finding solutions.
NLP also provides monitoring tools which can monitor factors like boredom and engagement levels of the students. This awareness can be used by teachers to bring changes and alternative techniques for delivering lessons. The main idea behind it is that language produced by students is strongly indicative of knowledge-based and cognitive skills. These are vital areas of learning which directly effect the success of learning.
Final thoughts
It is worth noting that natural language processing can be used to assess deeper areas in education. Students’ behavior patterns and thought processes during learning are elements that directly effect their abilities. NLP brings instructors accurate and insightful approaches that help in tailoring lessons according to the pupil’s intellect.
The more customized the lesson plans are, the further opportunities will open up for all students. With different learning paces, not everyone is able to perform to their full potential in a traditional classroom. But NLP can change the education system to accommodate and treasure the different intellects. It can improve instruction quality as well, broadening the spectrum of learning. And leaving a massively positive impact on modern education.
