ScholarSpace

ScholarSpace is an open-access, digital institutional repository for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa community. ScholarSpace stores the intellectual works and unique collections of the UH at Mānoa academic community and also provides a permanent web location for those accessing these resources.

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Feasibility of administering chatbot-based speaking assessment for low-level EFL students
(University of Hawaii National Foreign Language Resource Center, 2025-11-17) Nguyen, Thuy Thi; Kim, Jungtae
This study examines the feasibility of using a chatbot-based English speaking test (C-EST) in assessing low-level students’ speaking skills. The study included three phases. First, the C-EST was compared with a face-to-face interview test (F-EST) using the ACTFL OPI, focusing on interrater reliability, holistic and analytic test scores, and participants’ perceived number of questions, topic familiarity, and difficulty level. Second, the study investigated participants’ perceived effectiveness of chatbot-based tasks and their interest, motivation, and comfort in taking the C-EST. Last, the study constructed arguments for the C-EST based on test design considerations and the results from the above analyses. Thirty-nine low-level university students completed both tests and questionnaires. Follow-up interviews were conducted with seven participants. Three raters rated both tests. The findings revealed that two tests were comparable regarding interrater reliability, holistic and analytical scores, and participants’ perceptions. Furthermore, participants’ perceptions of the effectiveness of chatbot tasks were uniformly favorable, and their levels of interest, motivation, and comfort were similarly high. The study supported the positive potential of chatbots in speaking assessment for low-level learners and revealed limitations to be resolved. Future suggestions for advancing and implementing chatbots in EFL classrooms are discussed.
Undergraduate Fellowship Reports Volume 34
(Hawaiʻi Space Grant Consortium, Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa, 2025)
The Counterespionage Novel and the Fostering of Wartime Subjectivity in Imperial JP and KR
(2025-11-12)
JSPS Fellowships Virtual Info Session
(2025-11-18)
Virtual Exchange in the new educational landscape: Challenges for foreign language teachers
(University of Hawaii National Foreign Language Resource Center, 2025-11-03) O'Dowd, Robert
Virtual Exchange (VE) in foreign language education has evolved significantly from its early focus on bilingual North-North partnerships to encompass diverse global collaborations, including North-South exchanges and partnerships with conflict zones. While VE has gained increased recognition as a valuable tool for internationalisation — particularly following COVID-19— this expansion has generated complex pedagogical and ethical challenges that practitioners must navigate. This article examines six critical areas of concern: structural inequalities in project design that risk reproducing Global North hegemony; communication barriers in lingua franca contexts that advantage privileged learners; the psychological risks of engaging students with conflict zone partners; political and institutional pressures surrounding controversial partnerships; questions about VE's capacity for genuine social impact versus tokenistic engagement; and maintaining motivation among increasingly internationally-experienced student populations. Drawing on recent literature and over two decades of practice, I argue that VE's transition from niche activity to mainstream educational tool demands more sophisticated approaches that address power imbalances, provide robust linguistic scaffolding, implement trauma-informed protocols, and move beyond superficial intercultural encounters. The article concludes with recommendations for developing more equitable, effective, and engaging VE programmes that can navigate the tensions between educational aspirations and global realities.
Rethinking Aquaculture Regulation in a Post-Chevron World
(2025) Turcan, Kamaile A. N.
Age and Growth of the Divine Dwarf Goby Eviota Epiphanes from O'ahu, Hawai'i
(University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2013) Grant, Reagan; Friedlander, Alan; Oceanography; Global Environmental Science
I examined the age and growth of the divine dwarf goby Eviota epiphanes, a small, cryptic reef fish, in order to determine its role in the nearshore marine ecosystems of Hawai‘i. Age was determined by counting presumed daily increments of transversely sectioned sagittae otoliths from 53 specimens captured on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i between August and November 2012. Post-settlement growth was best represented by the von Bertalanffy growth function with a correlation coefficient of 0.53 and a residual sum of squares of 150.3. From examination of otoliths and counts of presumed daily increments, the mean pelagic larval duration (PLD) was found to be 26.5 +/- 0.22 days (SE) and the estimated maximum age was approximately 60.5 days. The proportion of total lifespan represented by the PLD was 43.8%, which corresponds to 34 days of post-settlement life. Estimated daily natural mortality was 3.6%. The age at sexual maturity calculated from the von Bertalanffy growth function was 40.9 days (or 14.4 days post-settlement). Mean generational turnover was 50.7 days. The rapid growth and short life span of E. epiphanes supports the hypothesis that small reef fishes are an important food source for piscivorous species and therefore plays an important role in the energetics and productivity of coral reef ecosystems.
Internal Waves: Modeling Energy Dispersion at the Ocean's Surface
(University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2012) Martinelli, Joseph; Carter, Glenn; Oceanography; Global Environmental Science
Using the Princeton Ocean Model, internal waves are generated by forcing waters over three different idealized stratification profiles. One profile is of constant stratification while the other two have moderate pycnoclines near the ocean surface followed by constant stratification at depth. The pycnocline in the two stratified cases is defined by a Gaussian curve with a different maximum value in each case. Building on work done by Gerkema (2001), these cases will be analyzed to determine how the internal wave energy rays interact with the pycnocline. Based on the output from POM, focus will be placed on visually interpreting energy reflections off the pycnocline and the ocean surface. The goal is establish an understanding of potential long distance internal wave propagation in ocean regions with similar stratification.
Identification and Photometry of Candidate Transiting Exoplanet Signals
(University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2012) Chang, Emily; Gaidos, Eric; Oceanography; Global Environmental Science
Exoplanet detection is important to the science of star and planet formation and the origin of life. There are currently 760 confirmed exoplanets. We investigate late-K to early M dwarf stars for exoplanets because the relatively small size and low luminosity of the stars increase the possibility of detecting smaller, Earth-like exoplanets. For my project, the transit method was utilized in planet detection. First, a list of candidate transiting signals was compiled. Data from 1753 late-K and early M dwarf stars collected by the WASP (Wide Angle Search for Planets) survey were analyzed. The signals from these stars were processed with a transit-hunting algorithm called HUNTER. One thousand and sixteen stars were found to have transiting signals. Each star had up to 5 possible transiting signals for a total of 3946 signals. I imposed a restriction on the signals to reject possible false positives which cut the list from 3946 signals to 1546 signals. The remaining signals were manually screened based on statistical analysis. The result was a list of 77 candidate transiting signals. Next, I completed followup photometry with the Faulkes-North telescope on 18 of the 77 candidate transiting signals. I used ephemeris data from the transit-hunting algorithm to create a list of predicted transit events. I have analyzed data on 18 unique targets across 22 observation times slots. Analysis included the calculation of an optimal aperture radius to use in photometry. A photometric precision of 4.0 x 10-4 has been achieved. With this RMS, I can detect a planet 2.83 times the radius of the Earth. Data from the Kepler Mission was used to predict 1-3 planets should be detected around the Super-WASP late-K and early M dwarf stars. So far, no transits have been witnessed.
Effect of Biochars Varying in Physio-Chemical Properties on Water Holding Capacities of Two Tropical Soils with Contrasting Texture
(University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2012) Bascunana, Jeremy; Deenik, Jonathan; Oceanography; Global Environmental Science
There is a growing interest in biochar for use in sustainable agricultural production systems. Water management has become a key priority as climate change exacerbates imbalances between water demand and availability. Eight biochars of different properties were applied to two soils with contrasting texture to investigate the effect of biochar on water holding capacities. Two different addition rates were applied, 2% and 4% (w/w), and compared to a zero-biochar control. All biochars showed a significant effect in water holding capacities in both soils. In the sandy soil higher addition rate always led to higher water retention, while in the clayey soil, higher addition rate of some biochars led to decreased water holding capacities. Gasification biochar generally led to the greatest improvements, showing 38.5% and 31.5 % increase in the sandy and clayey soil, respectively. Variable results of some biochars indicated that biochar’s ability to increase water retention also depended on to which soil it was added. No significant relationships were found between volatile matter and ash content of biochars and changes in water retention. More research is needed on surface area measurements to test the hypothesis that water holding capacities are directly related to surface area of biochars.