P657 Modeling of development and learning

Instructor:  Chen Yu
Term:        Spring, 2005-2006
Time:        4:00P-6:00P, Tuesday
Place:       PY228


The use of computational modeling as a complementary tool for
empirical work has been proved to lead to productive research. The
benefits of computational modeling as a methodology are that it
provides great specificity to theoretical hypotheses and that it can
make predictions about aspects of human cognition that have not been
studied empirically. This seminar is intended to put experimental work
and related modeling work side by side and study how these two lines
of research provide a more complete picture of various issues on human
development and learning.

Specific topics will include mathematical foundations of computational
modeling, speech segmentation, word learning, syntax learning,
perceptual learning, category and concept learning, motor learning,
social development/joint attention, imitation learning, embodied
cognition, and dynamic systems.

Classes will be lectures, student presentations and group discussions.
In addition to presentation and participation in discussion, students
will be responsible for a term project. The aim will be to apply
modeling techniques to original research. The instructor will discuss
with individual students about their projects. Students will need to
write a formal report as well as present their work in class at the
end of semester.

Contact:  If you have any questions, please contact Chen Yu, 856-0838,
chenyu@indiana.edu