Hiroaki Ogata

LOCH: supporting informal language learning outside the classroom with handhelds

The continuous development of wireless and mobile technologies has allowed the creation of an additional platform for supporting learning, one that can be embedded in the same physical space in which the learning is taking place. This paper describes a computer supported ubiquitous learning environment for language learning, called LOCH (language-learning outside the classroom with handhelds). In the environment, the teacher assigns field activities to the students, who go around the town to fulfil them and share their individual experiences. The main aim of this project, called one day trip with PDA (personal digital assistant), was to integrate the knowledge acquired in the classroom and the real needs of the students in their daily life.

A temporal versioned object-oriented data schema model

Abstract This paper describes in a formal way a data schema model which introduces temporal and versioning schema features in an object-oriented environment. In our model, the schema is time dependent and the history of the changes which occur on its elements are kept into version hierarchies. A fundamental assumption behind our approach is that a new schema specification should not define a new database, so that previous schema definitions are considered as alternative design specifications, and consequently, existing data can be accessed in a consistent way using any of the defined schemas.

Real-Time Learning Analytics of e-Book Operation Logs for On-site Lecture Support

A real-time learning analytics system is proposed for in-classroom use. We used an e-learning system and an e-book system to collect real-time learning activities during lectures. The collected logs were analyzed and presented visually on a web-based system for the teacher. The teacher can monitor how many students are viewing the same page as the teacher, whether they are following the explanation, or if they are reading previous or subsequent pages. Through a case study, we confirmed the effectiveness of the real-time learning analytics system, in terms of high synchronization between the teacher and the students, i.e., that the majority of students followed the teachers explanation and added more bookmarks, highlights, or notes on the e-book, compared with the control group where the teacher did not use our system.

Phase I study of salazosulfapyridine in combination with cisplatin and pemetrexed for advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer

Spliced variant isoforms of CD44 (CD44v) are a marker of cancer stem cells in solid tumors. They stabilize the xCT subunit of the transporter system xc(–) and thereby promote synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione. Salazosulfapyridine (SASP) is an inhibitor of xCT and suppresses the proliferation of CD44v‐positive cancer cells. Chemotherapy‐naïve patients with advanced non‐squamous non‐small‐cell lung cancer were enrolled in a dose‐escalation study (standard 3 + 3 design) of SASP in combination with cisplatin and pemetrexed. The primary end‐point was the percentage of patients who experience dose‐limiting toxicity. Fifteen patients were enrolled in the study. Dose‐limiting toxicity was observed in one of six patients at a SASP dose of 1.5 g/day (elevation of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels, each of grade 3), two of five patients at 3 g/day (hypotension or pneumonitis, each of grade 3), and two of three patients at 4.5 g/day (anorexia of grade 3). The maximum tolerated dose was thus 3 g/day, and the recommended dose was 1.5 g/day. The overall response rate was 26.7% and median progression‐free survival was 11.7 months, much longer than that for cisplatin–pemetrexed alone in previous studies. Exposure to SASP varied markedly among individuals according to ABCG2 and NAT2 genotypes. The serum concentration of free CD44v protein was increased after the first cycle of treatment, possibly reflecting death of cancer stem cells. Salazosulfapyridine was thus given safely in combination with cisplatin–pemetrexed, with the addition of SASP tending to prolong progression‐free survival. This trial is registered in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000017854.

Learning by Logging: Supporting Ubiquitous Learning Using a Lifelogging Tool

This paper proposes a ubiquitous learning log system called SCROLL (System for Capturing and Reminding of Learning Log). Ubiquitous Learning Log (ULL) is defined as a digital record of what you have learned in the daily life using ubiquitous technologies. It allows you to log your learning experiences with photos, audios, videos, geography data, QR-code, RFID tag, and sensor data, and to share and to reuse ULL with others. Using SCROLL, you can receive context-based and personalized quizzes. In addition, you can navigate and be aware of your past ULLs supported by augmented reality view.

Supporting Q&A in a Web-Based Japanese Language Learning Environment

This paper proposes a question and answer e-Learning system for Japanese language learning.Utilizing the system, learners ask the questions and teachers answer the question. This is an a synchronousand synchronous teaching-learning environment. To alleviate the burden of teachers, the system checks whether there is a same Q&A in FAQ or not, if the same Q&A exists, then the system answers the question automatically. We also found that the learning effects are related to the times for taking part in the discussions. In this paper, we describe the design, implementation and evaluation of the system.

Collaboration and Technology

The Business Process Management (BPM) method has been increasingly adopted by organisations seeking to improve their business processes. BPM is seen as an enabler of business innovation, fostering change and flexibility, increasing productivity and responsiveness, and leveraging operational intelligence, while maintaining the impact of organisational complexity within reasonable bounds. Analysing these trends, we recognise that a particular IT artefact has gained unexpected importance: process models. Process models support the BPM method in two different ways. In the one hand, by providing formalised, standardised operational rules required by process-aware information systems. In the other hand, process models also influence several activities required by the BPM method such as process elicitation, documentation, analysis, and visualisation. Nowadays business process modelling represents an important market for information systems vendors, software systems developers and integrators, and consulting services providers. This market covers diverse areas of intervention such as supply chain management, customer relationships management, change management, enterprise resource planning, and quality management. It also covers different application areas such as manufacturing, financial services and healthcare. However, the complexity of existing process modelling approaches, along with the demanding characteristics of modelling languages and tools, and the skills required to translate organisational practices into process models, have turned process modelling into a complex practice. What problems are found when modelling business processes? How can process modellers overcome these problems? How can non-experts model business processes? Surprisingly, we do not know much about the process modelling practice. In this keynote we systematically review the current problems found in business process modelling. We show that most problems are related with inadequate conceptual foundations, lack of consensus about what modelling quality is, and also inadequate tool support. Considering in particular the conceptual foundations of BPM, we argue that many problems result from the prevailing mechanistic paradigm, which causes problems bridging business rules and process models, and bridging process execution with organisational behaviour. We suggest a conceptual change towards a more humanistic paradigm centred on ease-of-use, readiness and flexibility. Finally, we discuss several projects using the design-science methodology to investigate humanistic business

Online change detection for monitoring individual student behavior via clickstream data on E-book system

We propose a new change detection method using clickstream data collected through an e-Book system. Most of the prior work has focused on the batch processing of clickstream data. In contrast, the proposed method is designed for online processing, with the model parameters for change detection updated sequentially based on observations of new click events. More specifically, our method generates a model for an individual student and performs minute-by-minute change detection based on click events during a classroom lecture. We collected clickstream data from four face-to-face lectures, and conducted experiments to demonstrate how the proposed method discovered change points and how such change points correlated with the students performances.

Connecting decentralized learning records: a blockchain based learning analytics platform

As Learners move from one learning environment to another, there is a key necessity of taking with them a proof of previous learning achievements or experiences. In most cases, this is either expressed in terms of receipt of scores or a certificate of completion. While this may be sufficient for enrollment and other administrative decisions, it poses some limitations to the depth of learning analytics and consequently a slow onboarding process. Also, with different institutions having their learning data isolated from each other, it becomes more difficult to easily access a learners learning history for all learning activities on other systems. In this paper, we propose a blockchain based approach for connecting learning data across different Learning Management Systems (LMS), Learning Record Stores (LRS), institutions and organizations. Leveraging on unique properties of blockchain technology, we also propose solutions to ensuring learning data consistency, availability, immutability, security, privacy and access control.

Research Paper Recommender System for University Students on the E-Book System

This paper shows a research paper recommender system for university students. The recommender system is embedded in an e-book system, which displays learning materials (e.g., slides) and is used at lectures. The recommender system suggests papers related to a learning material. The experiment revealed students do not access to recommended papers during the lecture. Instead, they access to research papers when reviewing the lecture and/or working for an assignment.