A-1 Improving Biblical Language Teaching and Learning with BibleOL
Presenter Status
Associate Professor, Old Testament department
Second Presenter Status
Assistant Professor, Computing department
Preferred Session
Oral Session
Start Date
25-10-2019 3:00 PM
Presentation Abstract
Biblical Hebrew and Greek can be challenging languages for students. Practice with the language is essential. BibleOL is an online learning environment that allows students to practice Biblical Hebrew/Greek grammar and translating Biblical Hebrew/Greek texts. This tool has been effective for improving students’ mastery of Hebrew/Greek. We have collected performance data of Hebrew students from 2016-2018 at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. Our statistics show that the average student performs 11% better (≙ a letter grade) when BibleOL was utilized as a major learning tool in the course. One reason for the performance difference is that BibleOL enables students to use their learned vocabulary and grammar in real Hebrew/Greek Bible passages. In addition, students only get graded for their best exercise run. This stimulates students to repeat exercises until they are satisfied with their grade (gamification effect).
Our current work involves adding an examination mode to BibleOL. This new feature would allow English, Spanish, German speaking seminaries and institutions to automatize their Hebrew/Greek exams and quizzes. This work is conducted by an interdisciplinary and international team. It includes Seminary and Computer Science students and faculty, as well as developers from Europe. We will demonstrate the progress we have made by showcasing our semi-automated exam production process and our automated grading process.
A-1 Improving Biblical Language Teaching and Learning with BibleOL
Biblical Hebrew and Greek can be challenging languages for students. Practice with the language is essential. BibleOL is an online learning environment that allows students to practice Biblical Hebrew/Greek grammar and translating Biblical Hebrew/Greek texts. This tool has been effective for improving students’ mastery of Hebrew/Greek. We have collected performance data of Hebrew students from 2016-2018 at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. Our statistics show that the average student performs 11% better (≙ a letter grade) when BibleOL was utilized as a major learning tool in the course. One reason for the performance difference is that BibleOL enables students to use their learned vocabulary and grammar in real Hebrew/Greek Bible passages. In addition, students only get graded for their best exercise run. This stimulates students to repeat exercises until they are satisfied with their grade (gamification effect).
Our current work involves adding an examination mode to BibleOL. This new feature would allow English, Spanish, German speaking seminaries and institutions to automatize their Hebrew/Greek exams and quizzes. This work is conducted by an interdisciplinary and international team. It includes Seminary and Computer Science students and faculty, as well as developers from Europe. We will demonstrate the progress we have made by showcasing our semi-automated exam production process and our automated grading process.
Acknowledgments
This work has been supported by an Andrews University Faculty Research grant for 2019-20.