Gordon Wilson
Hannan University
About
Fascinated by how we learn, my career began with degrees in Applied Linguistics and Education, plus studies in psychology, sociology, and economics. This foundation in human cognition led me to explore prospective memory in language learning and to a role training teachers at Hokkaido University of Education. My interest in learning systems evolved toward technology. In the early 2000s, I began exploring artificial intelligence, conducting research into genetic algorithms and developing early computer-based expert teaching systems. With the advent of large language models, my interests converged. Today, my focus is the practical application of AI in education. I use my interdisciplinary background to design, consult on, and advocate for educational technologies that are powerful, pedagogically sound, and human-centered.Sessions
Workshop Building Our Replacements: An AI-Driven, Personalized, Anytime, Anywhere Language Teaching Expert System more
Fri, Jul 18, 17:00-18:00 Asia/Tokyo
Co-presented with an AI, we describe and demonstrate our progress in developing a personalized language-learning expert system, tutor, and companion. We discuss the history, inspiration, and components of the model—including needs analysis, lesson creation, user interaction, and ability/knowledge banks. We examine the scarcities often taken for granted in language learning and how emerging AI technologies remove these constraints and create new possibilities. Through interactive demonstrations, we show how the AI supports, assists, and gives feedback with daily language tasks in real time and engages in conversations about movies, TV shows, and books while gradually introducing target language items tailored to your readiness and needs. We also take a critical look at the (rapidly diminishing) weaknesses and shortcomings of AI-driven education, pose essential questions about its role, and explore future directions for AI in language teaching and learning. Participants will come away with an understanding of the possibilities and limitations of AI in language learning, learn some prompts you can use to replicate some of what we’ll be doing in the presentation, and learn how to connect with other developers and users of the technology.