Takeshi Sunaga

Zuzie: collaborative storytelling based on multiple compositions

This paper presents an expressive activity program and a support system for collaborative storytelling based on multiple compositions: Zuzie. Zuzies storytelling is designed so that people can experience rich expressions and extend their interpretation of them through creation of compositions. Each composition is a deliberate arrangement of a single set of figures on a background plane. Coupled with the expressive activity program, this research is intended to design and implement a system that supports multiple compositions. This report describes our Zuzie expressive activity and presents discussion of the expressions through the study and artworks.

Integration of Expression and Analysis Using Constructive Scrapbook

In this paper, we present how to use the Constructive Scrapbook to integrate expression and analysis and propose that its design is effective for learning. Constructive Scrapbook is a computer application in which the user arranges compositions of pictures in a two-dimensional space, makes various compositions, and switches them freely. Although subjective expression and objective analysis are treated as different activities in the educational world today, we have designed a tool that handles both types of activities simultaneously through constructive learning. Our objective is to have children and ordinary persons use various facets to analyze their expressions and then create new expressions.We held a workshop using the Constructive Scrapbook. The results show that the tool has the potential to make the user analyze expressions, extract significances to consider them deeply, and then create new expressions.

Using Zuzie2 to Exchange Viewpoints for a Broader Outlook

In this paper, we present Zuzie2, a computer application designed to help people extend their interpretation of the meaning of their activities, and propose that Zuzie2 is effective in cultivating the power of understanding and expression. In an earlier paper we presented the Constructive Scrapbook computer application which has the potential to make the user analyze expressions, extract significances to consider them deeply, and then create new expressions [1]. Zuzie2 is an improved version of the Constructive Scrapbook. Using this tool, in the same way as with the earlier version, the user arranges compositions of pictures in a two-dimensional space, makes various compositions, and switches them freely. In Zuzie2, we have added a new function that enables users to import composition grounds that show the viewpoints of other users into their works. Our objective is to have children and ordinary people use various facets to analyze their activities and then create new expressions. Humans think and express something in a conceptual framework such as ordering, classification, or quantity. However, the thoughts of a single person have limitations due to the fixed frame of viewpoint. We have designed this tool so that the viewpoints of other persons combine with the user’s work to form new expressive works. We held a workshop using the Zuzie2 application. The results show that this tool has the potential to make users analyze their activities, import other viewpoints to consider them deeply, and then create new expressions.