Oleada: User-Centered TIPSTER Technology for Language Instruction

TIPSTER is an ARPA sponsored program that seeks to develop methods and tools that support analysts in their efforts to filter, process, and analyze ever increasing quantities of text-based information. To this end, government sponsors, contractors, and developers are working to design an architecture specification that makes it possible for natural language processing techniques and tools, from a variety sources, to be integrated, shared, and configured by end-users. The Computing Research Laboratory (CRL) is a longtime contributor to TIPSTER. A significant portion of CRL's research involves work on a variety of natural language processing problems, human-computer interaction, and problems associated with getting technology into the hands of end-users. CRL is using TIPSTER technology to develop OLEADA, which is an integrated set of computer tools designed to support language learners, and instructors. Further, OLEADA has been developed using a task-oriented user-centered design methodology. This paper describes the methodology used to develop OLEADA and the current system's capabilities.