Learning How To Learn NLP: Developing Introductory Concepts Through Scaffolded Discovery

Alexandra Schofield, Richard Wicentowski, Julie Medero


Abstract
We present a scaffolded discovery learning approach to introducing concepts in a Natural Language Processing course aimed at computer science students at liberal arts institutions. We describe some of the objectives of this approach, as well as presenting specific ways that four of our discovery-based assignments combine specific natural language processing concepts with broader analytic skills. We argue this approach helps prepare students for many possible future paths involving both application and innovation of NLP technology by emphasizing experimental data navigation, experiment design, and awareness of the complexities and challenges of analysis.
Anthology ID:
2021.teachingnlp-1.23
Volume:
Proceedings of the Fifth Workshop on Teaching NLP
Month:
June
Year:
2021
Address:
Online
Editors:
David Jurgens, Varada Kolhatkar, Lucy Li, Margot Mieskes, Ted Pedersen
Venue:
TeachingNLP
SIG:
Publisher:
Association for Computational Linguistics
Note:
Pages:
131–137
Language:
URL:
https://aclanthology.org/2021.teachingnlp-1.23
DOI:
10.18653/v1/2021.teachingnlp-1.23
Bibkey:
Cite (ACL):
Alexandra Schofield, Richard Wicentowski, and Julie Medero. 2021. Learning How To Learn NLP: Developing Introductory Concepts Through Scaffolded Discovery. In Proceedings of the Fifth Workshop on Teaching NLP, pages 131–137, Online. Association for Computational Linguistics.
Cite (Informal):
Learning How To Learn NLP: Developing Introductory Concepts Through Scaffolded Discovery (Schofield et al., TeachingNLP 2021)
Copy Citation:
PDF:
https://aclanthology.org/2021.teachingnlp-1.23.pdf