How M-Powering Teachers works
M-Powering Teachers (MPT) tool: The workflow for generating feedback involves (1) recording sessions, (2) transcribing the recordings, (3) conducting natural language processing (NLP) analyses, and (4) generating the results and insights on a web page to educators.
(1) Recording
Classes can be recorded using any type of high-quality recording devices, or even with a teacher’s cell phone. Online classes can be recorded using Zoom. When considering what type of recording equipment to use, we acknowledge that better audio quality will lead to more accurate automated feedback.
(2) Transcribing
MPT transcribes and algorithmically analyzes the transcripts to identify various discourse-related phenomena.
(3) AI-based analysis
MPT analyzes components of speech related to several key teaching moves. For example, we measure the teachers’ uptake of students’ contributions. To do this, we quantify teacher talk time proportion using timestamps from the transcripts, teacher questions by relying on question marks, and the extent to which the teacher repeats students’ words.
(4) Results and insights
MPT offers positive, non-judgmental, and non-evaluative feedback, specific examples, and opportunities for reflection.