Yoji Nagasawa

GUNGEN: groupware for a new idea generation support system

Abstract GUNGEN, a groupware for a new idea generation support system, equipped with a chatting function, was implemented on a network consisting of three or four personal computers which are set in a side-by-side environment (i.e. in one room) and distributed environments (i.e. in two rooms separated from each other on the same floor, and in different rooms on different floors). The results of experiments involving students as subjects on a distributed and cooperative KJ method using GUNGEN, from which a conclusion is derived on a theme through the processes of proposition of ideas by participants and subsequent classification of the ideas into several groups on the basis of similarity, were compared in terms of the number of ideas, the number of characters of a conclusion, the time required, and the number of chats. The number of ideas and islands which were produced in the distributed and cooperative KJ method in side-by-side environment was less than in an original KJ method on paper. The time required to arrive at a conclusion was longer in this method than in an original conference. But, the number of words in the conclusion was nearly the same. Therefore, the distributed and cooperative KJ method using GUNGEN seems to be sufficiently practical. Only the number of chats was increased in the experiments on different floors and the chats requesting answers increased their ratio in the distributed environments. The fact that the performance except for the number of chats was nearly the same irrespective of the environments suggests that the chatting function as a text-based communication means is sufficiently effective for the mutual communication among participants even in the distributed environments.

GUNGEN: groupware for a new idea generation consistent support system

This paper describes GUNGEN groupware for a new idea generation consistent support system and its application to research activities. In Japan, the KJ method is known as one of the problem solving methods. GUNGEN allows us to execute the distributed and cooperative KJ method over a computer network. GUNGEN consists of three software components. The first component is KJware which supports the KJ method. The second is Wadaman which is a card-type database providing an environment to collect ideas. The third is NetGear which is a multimedia communication tool. Wadaman is necessary for the GUNGEN supported consistent KJ method. The combination of KJware and Wadaman makes it possible to carry out the KJ method using data stored in Wadaman. However, Wadaman has not been used for collecting ideas because it has not been easy to input data compared with writing down an idea on paper. On the other hand, Wadaman has improved as a remote seminar system. Through a remote seminar between two universities via the Internet, many seminar reports have been stored as Wadaman card data. In this time, GUNGEN makes it possible to carry out the KJ method using the report cards stored in Wadaman.

Development and application of a distance learning support system using personal computers via the Internet

A distance learning support system using the Internet for communication, which can support 40 personal computers, has been developed. The system supports audio and video communication channels. During Q&A sessions, the teacher and one student can communicate with each other through audio and video equipment. The system is also equipped with two shared cursors (one for the teacher the other for the students) and the Blackboard system and Note system for students. The system has been tested on three different kinds of classes (a lecture on human interface engineering, an exercise on applied mathematics II, and a lecture on high frequency engineering). The results of distance learning experiments suggested: (1) After applying the system to actual classes, we found that the system required the additional functions of a randomly controlled remote-control camera, card materials transfer and an interlocking market. (2) We found that student participants in distance learning felt as if they were in the same building as the teacher. Students wanted to take more distance learning classes, about six times out of 15 times on average. (3) There were seldom questions during school hours. We must improve the Q&A function to increase the number of questions from students.

Development and evaluation of a distance learning support system SEGODON

We have developed a distance learning support system, named SEGODON. This system consists of 40 student computers. We aim at consistent support of a class during a half year using a distance learning support system. In order to enable distance learning during a half year, we developed easy operation of the whole system by a teacher, temporarily shared drawing, and a lecture data creation support system. We applied this system in classes of high frequency engineering. SEGODON had a good reputation in operation. The teacher was able to operate the system alone in real time. The temporarily shared drawing was highly evaluated by students and a teacher. The results of the term-end examination using SEGODON seemed to be the same as a class in which a distance learning support system was not used.

Effects of multimedia communication on GUNGEN (groupware for an idea generation support system)

We have developed an idea generation support system with multimedia (video and audio) and text-based chats communication function. The mean frame rate of video screen was about 3-4 and the sound had a bit delay. We compared the result of student experiments on a distributed and cooperative KJ method using it (video, audio, and chats communication function) with using only text-based communication in different rooms on different floors. KJ method is a text-based idea generation method and well-known in Japan. We found no difference between those results in terms of number of ideas, islands and characters of conclusion (sentence). But we also find the frequency of use of a question mark in text-chatting was reduced in multimedia environment and was the same with that of text-based chats communication environment on neighbour environment.

Propagation impairment caused by aircraft's flying across the Earth-satellite link

To investigate propagation impairment due to aircrafts flying across the Earth-satellite link, a series of measurements and numerical simulations are conducted. The measurement procedure, system configuration and observed results are described. Also, the measured data are compared with the simulation model. Relatively good agreements are achieved.