The interactive reading task: Transformer-based automatic item generation
Article Status
Published
Authors/contributors
- Attali, Yigal (Author)
- Runge, Andrew (Author)
- LaFlair, Geoffrey T. (Author)
- Yancey, Kevin (Author)
- Goodwin, Sarah (Author)
- Park, Yena (Author)
- Von Davier, Alina A. (Author)
Title
The interactive reading task: Transformer-based automatic item generation
Abstract
Automatic item generation (AIG) has the potential to greatly expand the number of items for educational assessments, while simultaneously allowing for a more construct-driven approach to item development. However, the traditional item modeling approach in AIG is limited in scope to content areas that are relatively easy to model (such as math problems), and depends on highly skilled content experts to create each model. In this paper we describe the interactive reading task, a transformer-based deep language modeling approach for creating reading comprehension assessments. This approach allows a fully automated process for the creation of source passages together with a wide range of comprehension questions about the passages. The format of the questions allows automatic scoring of responses with high fidelity (e.g., selected response questions). We present the results of a large-scale pilot of the interactive reading task, with hundreds of passages and thousands of questions. These passages were administered as part of the practice test of the Duolingo English Test. Human review of the materials and psychometric analyses of test taker results demonstrate the feasibility of this approach for automatic creation of complex educational assessments.
Publication
Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence
Date
2022-7-22
Volume
5
Pages
903077
Journal Abbr
Front. Artif. Intell.
Citation Key
attali2022a
Accessed
13/10/2025, 21:06
ISSN
2624-8212
Short Title
The interactive reading task
Library Catalogue
DOI.org (Crossref)
Extra
<标题>: 互动式阅读任务:基于Transformer的自动题目生成
<AI Smry>: The interactive reading task is described, a transformer-based deep language modeling approach for creating reading comprehension assessments that allows a fully automated process for the creation of source passages together with a wide range of comprehension questions about the passages.
Read_Status: New
Read_Status_Date: 2026-01-26T11:33:31.076Z
Citation
Attali, Y., Runge, A., LaFlair, G. T., Yancey, K., Goodwin, S., Park, Y., & Von Davier, A. A. (2022). The interactive reading task: Transformer-based automatic item generation. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 5, 903077. https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2022.903077
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