Setsuo Yokoyama

LabChart: A Support System for Collaborative Research Activities in University Laboratories and its Practical Evaluations

This paper describes a support system for collaborative research activities in university laboratories. The system includes (1) a research information transition graph (RITG) to visually express research information and the relationships among the information for personal management, and (2) a method that enables collaborative research activities and knowledge sharing on a large scale by converting an RITG into a common view with specified constraints on redrawing. These issues are related to the solving of a trade-off problem between the management of research information based on personal viewpoints and the sharing of such information on a large scale. Furthermore this paper describes the results of the system evaluation through application of it. Furthermore this paper describes the results of the system evaluation through application of it.

Development of a Topic-Centered Adaptive Document Management System

Skillful management of the various types of documents used in intelligent activities and their efficient utilization are important. However, most available systems target only a single type of document (e-mails, Web pages, etc.) or are not adaptive enough. A more promising approach is topic-centered document management. A topic-centered document management system is described that changes its own functions and interfaces adaptively.

Algorithms for Extracting Topic across Different Types of Documents

Clever management of the various types of documents used in intelligent activities and their efficient utilization are important. However, most available methods target only a single type of document (e-mails, Web pages, etc.). A more promising approach is topic-centered document management. Algorithms are described for extracting topics across various of types of documents. Moreover, a topic-centered document management system is described that is based on grouping by topics.

A model for navigating discussions among system design novices

The discussion of system design through a network as part of the cooperative system development process is increasingly common. In our university, system development education for novices is also done through a network. However, the usefulness of discussion regarding system development for novices is limited by various resolved problems that remain after discussion and the inability of novices to discuss these matters in a comprehensive way. We propose a discussion model designed for novices that will enable smooth navigation during such discussions. This model is based on state transition using discussion states and discussion comment categories. This paper mainly describes analyses of discussions on cooperative system development, discussion model design and preliminary evaluation with our prototype.

Development of a Visualised Sound Simulation Environment: An e-Approach to a Constructivist Way of Learning

In this paper, the design and implementation of a visualised sound simulation environment is presented as an initial step to further laboratory experimentation. Preliminary laboratory experiments showed a positive learning curve in human auditory perception. Learning occurred when new information was processed with relevant existing knowledge in this simulation environment. While the work towards the truth of the empirical hypothesis is still under discussion, this project has been expanded beyond the scope that was originally envisaged and the developed environment showed its potential to be adopted on mobile devices for many educational purposes. This initiative not only brings scientists and educators together, but it is also hoped that it represents a possible e-approach to a constructivist way of learning.

A Discussion Model for System Design Novices

The opportunities to discuss system design as part of system development through a network continue to increase. In our university, system development education for novices is also done through a network. However, the usefulness of discussion on system development for novices is limited by various unresolved problems left from the discussion and the inability of novices to discuss these matters in a comprehensive way. We propose a discussion model designed for novices that will control such discussion smoothly, and then evaluate the models usefulness. This model is based on state transition using discussion states and discussion comment categories.

A learning environment for understanding of program division patterns

This paper describes a learning environment that provides program division patterns for programming education. Receiving source codes drawn by learners, this environment analyzes data flow and detects the information on active variables based on lexical, syntax, and semantic analyses. Then, this environment generates and evaluates module division patterns and finally shows visually to a learner module division patterns, active variables and their active scopes.