An environment for supporting active learning in courses on language processing

ABSTRACT

PAG (Prototyping with Attribute Grammars) is an environment that promotes active learning in courses on language processing (e.g. compiler construction and computational linguistics). In PAG, learners can specify the syntax and the semantics of their languages with attribute grammars. Then, the environment generates prototypes of processors for the languages specified which learners can test with different inputs. For each valid input the prototypes produce one or more decorated syntax trees, which learners can navigate using the semantic equations in the original grammar. In this paper we describe the environment and we report its educational uses.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.1 Computer Uses in Education
          Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction (CAI)

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.1 Formal Definitions and Theory
          Subjects: Semantics; Syntax

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      I.2.7 Natural Language Processing
          Subjects: Language parsing and understanding; Machine translation

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Self-assessment

General Terms:
Human Factors, Languages

Keywords:
attribute grammars, education in computational linguistics, education in language processors, educational tool