Hybrid Teaching Assistant for Developing Students Interactivity and Comprehension 1 Yousef Awwad, 2 Hsien Tang Lin 3 Shyan Ming Yuan 1 Department of Computer Science National Chiao Tung University 1001 Ta Hsueh Road, Hsinchu, 300 Taiwan chchiu@cis.nctu.edu.tw 2 Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering Tahwa Institute of Technology #1 Tahwa Rd. Chulin Hsinchu 307 Taiwan rogerlin@thit.edu.tw 3 Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering Asia University # 500, Lioufeng Rd., Wufeng , Taichung 41354, Taiwan smyuan@gmail.com Abstract The hybrid teaching assistant for developing interactivity and comprehension is a model to enhance students’ learning by involving them in different testing types and discussions, providing them with advices and allowing them to send their feedbacks. The system makes use of the Internet and Communication Technologies (ICT) to provide a reliable and secure environment. The system consists of exams, discussions, query, charts and feedbacks. Web and mobile phone SMS are used as a communication base among the system’s users. The system is hybrid two directional because students can answer the questions using the web form or the SMS form. In addition, students can receive advices and send their comments in both ways. Experiments results showed that students were more enthusiastic during the lesson, they were totally involved in the class room and they achieved better grades. Answers charts improved students’ cooperation since they need to discuss the choices to find the correct answer. 1. Introduction Different teaching methods have been used in the conventional learning to enhance students’ understanding, comprehension and acquisition. Tutors have used traditional exams and oral discussions to test students learning and to adapt their teaching ways and materials to fit students’ levels. The traditional method for testing and assessment is insufficient since it requires long time for answering and emendation. Collecting traditional pencil and papers test sheets waste papers and need much effort. In addition, tutors may want to give advices for their students to encourage them or solve their weakness based on the result of the assessment as soon as possible or he may want them to interact and cooperate in the class room, which is difficult to be achieved in traditional ways. ICT technology facilitates education by providing electronic Learning (E-learning). The term E-learning refers nowadays to online courses and Learning Management Systems (LMS). Many systems have proved a success in this field to manage and deliver information. Learning Management System helps tutors to manage course material and distribute assignments. But these systems are still a single user and support little interactivity and stimulation for the student [1]. Some researches have showed that it is possible to understand student performance and comprehension in class, and give instant response without interfere the teaching process [2]. Siau, Sheng, and Nah [3] proved that technology can improve students’ interactivity by applying the class room response system which uses clicker devices. Duncan [4] successfully adopted classroom response system into Ninth IEEE International Symposium on Multimedia 2007 - Workshops 0-7695-3084-2/07 $25.00 © 2007 IEEE DOI 10.1109/ISM.Workshops.2007.11 29 Ninth IEEE International Symposium on Multimedia 2007 - Workshops 0-7695-3084-2/07 $25.00 © 2007 IEEE DOI 10.1109/ISM.Workshops.2007.11 29