Noriko Uosaki

Development of Adaptive Vocabulary Learning via Mobile Phone E-mail

This paper describes an adaptive learning system using mobile phone email to support the study of vocabulary learning. In our study we try to resolve a common problem which usually occurs in the mobile-based email or SMS language learning systems. To achieve this goal, we have adopted the methods of adaptive learning in our system, such as sending the contents to a learner following his or her interests, adjusting the difficulty level of the tests to suit the learner’s proficiency level and adapting the system to his or her learning style. Furthermore, our system has already been evaluated by the learners and the results show that most of them benefited from our system and would like to continue using it.

A new trend of mobile and ubiquitous learning research: towards enhancing ubiquitous learning experiences

This paper overviews features and approaches of technology-driven researches on educational system development, describes research trends on mobile and ubiquitous learning, and explicates two cutting-edge mobile and ubiquitous research projects called LORAMS and SCROLL as a new trend of ubiquitous learning research.

Career Support for International Students in Japan Using Ubiquitous Learning Log System

This paper describes our study in progress where we have aimed to enhance career support for international students using the learning log system called SCROLL (System for Capturing and Reminding Of Learning Log). Job-hunting process is very unique in Japan. Students should begin the job hunting in their junior year and it takes 8.9 months on average. A questionnaire survey reveals that top two anxieties that international students have are language-related and lack of information. In order to reduce these anxieties, we propose career support system using SCROLL. The result of its pilot evaluation demonstrates that the users benefited from the system and that it will be expected to contribute to the solution of the two anxieties, while it reveals some user unfriendliness in its interface. Our future works include its improvement as well as the refinement of its message and recommendation functions.

Analysis of ubiquitous learning logs using social network analysis

This paper describes approaches for analysing ubiquitous learning logs ULLs using visualisation based on network graphs and time-maps. By constructing real-world corpora comprising accumulated ULLs with information on what, when, where, and how learners have learned in the real world and analysing them, we can support learners to learn more effectively. The amount of accumulated data is large and the relationships among the data are so complicated that it is difficult to grasp how closely the ULLs are related to each other. Therefore, this paper proposes a system to help learners grasp relationships among learners, knowledge, place and time, using network graphs and network analysis. In the evaluation experiment, 17 international students studying at the Kyushu University and Tokushima University evaluated the systems performance, usability, as well as the ease of understanding and learning using the system. Based on the experiment results, we conclude that analysing and visualising relationships between learners and ubiquitous learning are important factors to increase learning opportunities.

How We Can Entwine In-class Vocabulary Learning with Out-class One in English Course for Japanese EFL Learners

We proposed SMALL (Seamless Mobile-Assisted Language Learning Support System) seeking for seamless language learning in our previous study. In this paper, we describe how far we have developed the system for the realization of seamless learning. As our first step, we aim to support English vocabulary learning, since vocabulary learning is one of the fundamental aspects of language learning. The initial evaluation of this system showed that the experimental group showed a larger improvement for the two kinds of tests than the control group. The experimental group uploaded less words, but learned more words than the control group. The system added some fun factor in vocabulary learning. The entwining function showed statistically significant effectiveness only when excluding two exceptional cases.

Learning Log Navigator: Augmented Awareness Past Learning Experiences

This paper proposes a Navigator system in ubiquitous learning log system called SCROLL(System for Capturing and Reminding Of Learning Log). Navigator system supports learning in terms of visualization of learning logs stored in SCROLL system. It informs learners of what and where other learners have learned visually and recommend other learning logs which are located close to them and navigate them to the recommended logs. By letting them aware of other learning logs around them and guide to show them where they are located, it provides them more opportunities to learn from experience where they can make discoveries through first-hand observations, instead of reading or hearing about the knowledge. It is thus expected to lead learners to gain more knowledge.

Learning analytics in a seamless learning environment

This paper describes seamless learning analytics methods of VASCORLL (Visualization and Analysis System for COnnecting Relationships of Learning Logs). VASCORLL is a system for visualizing and analyzing the learning logs collected by the seamless learning system, which supports language learning in the real-world. As far, several studies have been made in the seamless learning environments in order to bridge formal learning over informal learning. However, their focus was the implementation of the seamless learning environment in education. This study focuses on visualizing and analyzing learning logs collected in the seamless learning environment. This paper describes how our analytics could contribute to bridging the gap between formal and informal learning. An experiment was conducted to evaluate 1) whether our developed VASCORLL is effective in connecting the words learned in formal learning to the ones learned in informal learning, 2) which social network algorithm is effective to enhance learning in the seamless learning environment. Twenty international students participated in the evaluation experiment, and they were able to increase their learning opportunities by using VASCORLL. In addition, it was found that the betweenness centrality is useful in finding central words bridging formal and informal learning.1

Supporting Seamless Learning Using Ubiquitous Learning Log System

This chapter describes a learning log system named SCROLL (System for Capturing and Reminding of Learning Log), which helps users to share and remind ubiquitous learning experiences. It is expected to powerfully assist the implementation of seamless learning. It proposes that seamless learning can be classified into seven types according to the mobile connectivity, and an empirical study in the context of English vocabulary learning at the university level is introduced. The results show that the test group registered fewer words, but learned more words than the control group, and that the linking in-class and outside-class function showed statistically significant effectiveness when excluding two exceptional cases. The participants predominantly used mobile devices during outside-class learning. Therefore, mobile connectivity is, undoubtedly, contributing to the realization of seamless learning in the sense of linking in-class and outside-class learning.

Enhancing Outside-Class Learning Using Online Tools: A Review Work

This paper tackles enhancing outside-class learning experiences focusing on JSL (Japanese as a Second Language) learners. Features and approaches of online tools for language learning are overviewed since knowing the pros and cons of each tool is essential for successful language learning and as a cutting-edge online project for language learning, a mobile and ubiquitous learning application called SCROLL is explicated.

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.