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wc13 1/28/2010 13:38:59

General Session - Conference Presentation Only (no formal paper)

//Chong Ho Yu, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA, chonghoyu@gmail.com// //Samuel DiGangi, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA,// sam@asu.edu //Angel Jannasch-Pennell, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA, angel@asu.edu//
 * Developing Discovery-Based Training Modules for Science Education Using Structural Reporting and Natural Language Processing in Wolfram Alpha**

The objective of this presentation is to illustrate how Wolfram Alpha, a new search engine developed by Wolfram Research, could be utilized to develop interactive training modules for science education. Alpha is different from other popular search engines in the following aspects. First, it retrieves information from reliable sources, such as peer-review journals. Second, the report is structured and hierarchical. The information presented at the top level is most relevant to the query and more information can be unveiled upon user’s request. Third, Alpha can process natural language, such as “What is the distance between Earth and Mars in 2010?” This new form of search engine has opened up opportunities for science teachers. In the past, it was difficult to implement discovery-based learning because of the lack of reliable resources. Many times students are asked to gather information from the Internet, but they may not able to distinguish trustworthy information from faulty information. In addition, very often students have difficulties in extracting relevant information from a list of Websites. As a remedy, the researchers have developed query-based training sessions by maximizing the capabilities of structural reporting and natural language processing in Alpha.

All Audiences search engine, natural language processing