Satoru Fujitani

Evaluation of Japanese-English CALL tool supporting contextual language acquisitions

This paper describes and evaluates the Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) Tool, which supports contextual language acquisitions. The CALL Tool searches for and retrieves parallel texts, while aligning unedited Japanese-English parallel texts from the World Wide Web [Pershin, Akahori, 2001]. We compared the proposed tool with an existing system by conducting an experiment that showed our systems effectiveness in phrase acquisition, discourse-structure acquisition and text comprehension. However, this experiment also exposed the drawbacks of the proposed system, such as a poor interface design. We concluded that the proposed system could be used together with existing systems to increase the number of learning strategies available for language learners.

Design of web-based support system of educational programs for Museum of Science and Innovation

This paper describes ongoing research of design of web-based support system for educational program held in a science museum. We are now going to develop the system at National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo, Japan. Educators and learners can access to the web site for making learning activity plan, searching learning resources, carrying out their researches, and discussing with people involved in the museum. The system will aim at offering the science museum as a learning environment which explains the importance of science and technology, and the pleasure of research.