Learning support apparatus, learning support system, learnings status presentation method, and program

Abstract

To make it possible to easily confirm learning status for each of headwords using teaching material content.SOLUTION: An electronic dictionary (1) serving as a learning support apparatus includes a control unit (100) which causes a storage unit (101) to store information (111) indicating status of processing related to headwords in each of multiple kinds of content including the headwords, for each common headword, regarding the multiple kinds of content (120, 121, 122) associated with the head words and related information on the headwords, and controls, when detecting an input of headword common to the multiple kinds of content, a display unit (104) to display a status (604) of processing related to the input headword for each of the multiple kinds of content, based on the information stored in the storage unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a learning support device, a learning support system, a learning status presenting method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Electronic dictionary contents include educational content that aims to improve the learning effect of an entry word by solving problems associated with the entry word. For example, there are electronic dictionaries in which the contents of an English-Japanese dictionary are equipped with a test function for checking the meaning of an entry word (e.g., an English word) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-294993 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some of the above-mentioned electronic dictionaries contain (provide) multiple types of dictionary content that can be searched for a single entry word, such as the content of multiple English-Japanese dictionaries. With this type of electronic dictionary, it is difficult for a user to confirm in which dictionary he or she has viewed detailed information or studied the answer to a question for an entry word that can be searched for in multiple dictionaries.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily check the learning status of each entry word using educational material content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A learning support device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit that stores, in a memory unit, information indicating the status of processing related to a common headword in each of the multiple types of content that contains the headword, for multiple types of content in which a headword is associated with related information about the headword, and when input of a headword common to the multiple types of content is detected, controls a display unit to display the status of processing related to the input headword for each of the multiple types of content based on the information stored in the memory unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the above aspect, the learning situation for each entry word using the educational material content can be easily confirmed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the external configuration of an electronic dictionary according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the electronic dictionary. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of information association in teaching material content. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of association between educational material content and a learning situation. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a screen display of a learning situation. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a test implementation process performed by the electronic dictionary. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a screen display of a learning situation. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a learning status presentation process performed by an electronic dictionary. [Figure 9] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a learning support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing performed in the learning support system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the external configuration of an electronic dictionary according to an embodiment. The electronic dictionary 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a first housing part 3 having a keyboard 2 and a second housing part 5 having a touch panel display 4. The first housing part 3 and the second housing part 5 are connected by, for example, a hinge mechanism or the like in such a manner that the angle of the display surface of the touch panel display 4 in the second housing part 5 with respect to the surface on which the keys of the keyboard 2 in the first housing part 3 are arranged can be changed. The external configuration of the electronic dictionary 1 may be a well-known configuration, and therefore a specific description of the external configuration of the electronic dictionary 1 will be omitted in this specification. Note that the external configuration of the electronic dictionary 1 is not limited to the external configuration illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0011] The electronic dictionary 1 is an example of a learning support device according to the present invention. The electronic dictionary 1 may be an electronic device specialized in providing multiple types of content, including dictionary content. The multiple types of content provided by the electronic dictionary 1 may include content other than a dictionary.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the electronic dictionary.

[0013] The electronic dictionary 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a control unit 100, a storage unit 101, a first input unit 102, a second input unit 103, a display unit 104, a sound collection unit 105, and a sound emission unit .

[0014] The control unit 100 controls the operation of the electronic dictionary 1. For example, the control unit 100 performs a process of searching the dictionary for an input or selected entry word and displaying the search results. The control unit 100 also performs processes such as displaying questions related to the input or selected entry word, and determining whether the input answer is correct or incorrect and displaying the determination result. The functions of the control unit 100 are provided by a processor that executes an OS (Operating System) program, various programs related to the use of content stored (contained) in the storage unit 101, and the like. The processor may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0015] The storage unit 101 stores educational material content 110 including multiple types of content, a learning situation (memory) 111, and other data, programs, etc. (not shown). Storage devices that provide the functions of the storage unit 101 include a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). Some of the functions of the storage unit 101 may be provided, for example, by a cache memory built into a processor such as a CPU, or by a portable recording medium such as a card-type storage device.

[0016] The teaching material contents 110 include the contents 120 of the English-Japanese dictionary A and the contents 121 of the English-Japanese dictionary B shown in FIG. 2, as well as one or more contents not shown in FIG. 2. The teaching material contents 110 include, for example, the English-Japanese dictionary C shown in FIG. 3, and other English-Japanese dictionaries (for example, the English-Japanese dictionary D described below with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). The teaching material contents 110 may also include contents other than the English-Japanese dictionary, such as a Japanese-English dictionary, a Japanese language dictionary, and a dictionary that describes the relationship between a foreign language other than English and the Japanese language. Some of the contents included in the teaching material contents 110, such as the contents 120 of the English-Japanese dictionary A and the contents 121 of the English-Japanese dictionary B shown in FIG. 2, include entry word data 130, detailed information data 131, and question data 132.

[0017] The learning status 111 records information indicating the status of learning performed by the user of the electronic dictionary 1 using the electronic dictionary 1. The learning status 111 may include, for example, information regarding answers to questions included in the question data 132 of the learning material content 110 (specifically, information indicating the answer status including information on whether the question was solved and whether the answer was correct or incorrect). The learning status 111 may include, for example, information on whether detailed information on a headword included in the headword data 130 was viewed. The relationship between the learning status 111 and the learning material content 110 will be described later with reference to Figs. 3 to 5 and the like.

[0018] The first input unit 102 and the second input unit 103 accept input of information relating to the operation (operation) of the electronic dictionary 1. The inputs accepted by the first input unit 102 and the second input unit 103 include input for selecting content, input of entry words, etc. The display unit 104 visualizes and displays information relating to the operation, etc. of the electronic dictionary 1. The information displayed by the display unit 104 includes information on a content selection screen, information on an entry word input screen, information on a screen of search results for entry words, etc. The function of the first input unit 102 is provided by, for example, the keyboard 2 (see FIG. 1). The functions of the second input unit 103 and the display unit 104 are provided by a touch panel display 4 (see FIG. 1).

[0019] The sound collection unit 105 converts sounds (sound waves) around the electronic dictionary 1 into voice data (electrical signals). The sound collection unit 105 enables, for example, a user to practice pronunciation using content, input operations by voice, and the like. The function of the sound collection unit 105 is provided, for example, by a microphone built into the electronic dictionary 1. The sound emission unit 106 emits the voice data (electrical signals) as sound (sound waves) around the electronic dictionary 1. The sound emission unit 106 enables a user to practice pronunciation and listening using content, provide operation guidance by voice, and the like. The function of the sound emission unit 106 is provided, for example, by a speaker built into the electronic dictionary 1. The function of the sound emission unit 106 may be provided by earphones, speakers, etc. connected to an output terminal of the electronic dictionary 1.

[0020] The electronic dictionary 1 of this embodiment may have functions not illustrated in Fig. 2. For example, the electronic dictionary 1 may have a communication unit that communicatively connects the electronic dictionary 1 to an external device. The function of the communication unit may be provided by a wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates with an access point or a router connected to a communication network in accordance with a wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The function of the communication unit may be provided by an input / output interface that connects the electronic dictionary 1 to a computer such as a personal computer by a transmission cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

[0021] Next, the relationship between learning material contents 110 and learning situations 111 in electronic dictionary 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of association of information in learning material contents. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of association between learning material contents and learning situations.

[0022] 3 illustrates three types of English-Japanese dictionary contents 120, 121, and 122 included in the teaching material content 110. Each of the illustrated English-Japanese dictionary contents includes headword data 130, detailed information data 131, and question data 132. In the following explanation, the codes for the headword data, detailed information data, and question data are designated by the alphabet "A," "B," or "C" following the numeric code only when specifying the type of English-Japanese dictionary.

[0023] The entry word data 130 in the contents of the English-Japanese dictionary includes a plurality of entry words, each of which may be an English phrase, such as an English word, for which the meaning in Japanese is to be looked up. The number and types of entry words included in the entry word data 130A of the English-Japanese dictionary A, the entry word data 130B of the English-Japanese dictionary B, and the entry word data 130C of the English-Japanese dictionary C may be the same or different. The "entry word 1" in the three entry word data 130A, 130B, and 130C shown in FIG. 3 may be the same entry word or different entry words. The same applies to the "entry word 2" and "entry word 3."

[0024] In the content 120 of the English-Japanese dictionary A, each of the head words included in the head word data 130A is associated with one of a plurality of detailed information included in the detailed information data 131A, and one of a plurality of questions included in the question data 132A. For example, when the content 120 of the English-Japanese dictionary A is selected and "head word 1" is input (selected), "detailed information 1" including the phonetic symbol, Japanese meaning, example sentences, etc. of the head word 1 is displayed on the display unit 104. When the content 120 of the English-Japanese dictionary A is selected and "head word 1" is input (selected), for example, "question 1" related to "head word 1" may be displayed on the display unit 104. The user can select whether to display "detailed information 1" or "question 1".

[0025] In content 121 of English-Japanese dictionary B, each of the multiple head words included in head word data 130B is associated with one of the multiple detailed information included in detailed information data 131B and one of the multiple questions included in question data 132B. In content 122 of English-Japanese dictionary C, each of the multiple head words included in head word data 130C is associated with one of the multiple detailed information included in detailed information data 131C and one of the multiple questions included in question data 132C.

[0026] In this way, electronic dictionary 1 of this embodiment includes the contents of multiple types of English-Japanese dictionaries, and a user of electronic dictionary 1 can use some or all of the contents of multiple types of English-Japanese dictionaries for learning English. In particular, electronic dictionary 1 of this embodiment can manage the user's learning status for the same entry word in the contents of multiple types of English-Japanese dictionaries by learning status 111, as shown in FIG.

[0027] The learning status 111 illustrated in Fig. 4 includes information indicating the implementation status (test implementation status) of questions associated with entry words in the user's English learning using an English-Japanese dictionary. For each entry word associated with a question included in question data 132 in the content of multiple types of English-Japanese dictionaries, the learning status 111 in Fig. 4 indicates whether or not the question in each English-Japanese dictionary associated with the entry word has been implemented, and the implementation result (correct or incorrect). Fig. 4 illustrates the English word "senior" as an example of an entry word.

[0028] In the content 120 of the English-Japanese dictionary A, "senior" is an entry word p among a plurality of entry words included in the entry word data 130A, and the entry word p is associated with a question p among a plurality of questions included in the question data 132A. In the content 121 of the English-Japanese dictionary B, "senior" is an entry word q among a plurality of entry words included in the entry word data 130B, and the entry word q is associated with a question q among a plurality of questions included in the question data 132B. In the content 122 of the English-Japanese dictionary C, "senior" is an entry word r among a plurality of entry words included in the entry word data 130C, and the entry word r is associated with a question r among a plurality of questions included in the question data 132C. Although not shown in FIG. 4, in the content of the English-Japanese dictionary D, "senior" is, for example, an entry word s among a plurality of entry words included in the entry word data 130, and the entry word s is associated with a question s among a plurality of questions included in the question data 132.

[0029] In the learning status 111 illustrated in FIG. 4, one entry word "senior" is associated with the implementation status of questions in four types of English-Japanese dictionaries (English-Japanese A, English-Japanese B, English-Japanese C, and English-Japanese D). "Not implemented" in English-Japanese B and English-Japanese D indicates that question q on "senior" in English-Japanese dictionary B and question on "senior" in English-Japanese dictionary D have not yet been solved. "Correct" in English-Japanese A indicates that question p on "senior" in English-Japanese dictionary A has been solved and was answered correctly. "Incorrect" in English-Japanese C indicates that question r on "senior" in English-Japanese dictionary C has been solved and was answered incorrectly. Note that "not implemented", "correct", and "incorrect" in the learning status 111 in FIG. 4 are convenient expressions indicating the implementation status of the questions, and the information indicating the implementation status of the questions in the learning status 111 may be in other formats.

[0030] In conventional electronic dictionaries, the status of questions associated with entry words is managed for each English-Japanese dictionary content, making it difficult to grasp at a glance the status of questions for common entry words included in each of the contents of multiple English-Japanese dictionaries.

[0031] In contrast, in the electronic dictionary 1 of this embodiment, the implementation status of questions associated with an entry word is managed by the learning status 111 as shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, when a common entry word included in the contents of multiple types of English-Japanese dictionaries is displayed, the learning status (test implementation status) associated with the entry word displayed in the learning status 111 can be displayed together with the entry word.

[0032] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining a first example of a screen display of a learning situation. Fig. 5 shows an example of learning situation 111A for the entry word "senior" and an example of a screen 600 displayed on display unit 104 (touch panel display 4) of electronic dictionary 1 based on learning situation 111A.

[0033] In the learning status 111A, the values ​​of two flags, "○ (correct)" and "× (incorrect)", are used as information indicating the implementation status of a problem in one English-Japanese dictionary. In the case of incomplete implementation (when the problem has not been solved), the values ​​of the two flags (○, ×) are set to (0, 0). In the case of solved the problem and the answer is correct, the flag "○" is changed to "1", and the values ​​of the two flags (○, ×) become (1, 0). In the case of solved the problem and the answer is incorrect, the flag "×" is changed to "1", and the values ​​of the two flags (○, ×) become (0, 1). In the electronic dictionary 1 of this embodiment, when the entry word "senior" is selected on the screen for confirming the learning status displayed on the display unit 104, a screen 600 as exemplified in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 104 based on the learning status 111A.

[0034] The screen 600 includes an entry word selection area 601 and a learning status display area 602. The entry word selection area 601 displays a selected entry word (senior) 603 and the like. The learning status display area 602 displays the implementation status 604 of the problems in each of the four English-Japanese dictionaries (English-Japanese A, English-Japanese B, English-Japanese C, and English-Japanese D) associated with the entry word in the learning status 111A. In the question implementation status 604, "○" is an example of information indicating that the problem has been solved and the answer was correct, and "×" is an example of information indicating that the problem has been solved and the answer was incorrect. "-" in the question implementation status 604 is an example of information indicating that the problem has not been solved (the problem has not been solved).

[0035] Furthermore, buttons 605A, 605B, 605C, and 605D associated with four types of English-Japanese dictionaries (English-Japanese A, English-Japanese B, English-Japanese C, and English-Japanese D) are displayed in the learning status display area 602. When any of the four displayed buttons 605A, 605B, 605C, and 605D is pressed, a screen for solving a question about the entry word (senior) in the English-Japanese dictionary associated with the pressed button is displayed.

[0036] In this way, the electronic dictionary 1 of the present embodiment holds, for each entry word common to the contents of the multiple types of dictionaries, the learning status 111 that manages the implementation status of the questions for the entry word in each of the contents of the multiple types of dictionaries. Therefore, the user of the electronic dictionary 1 can easily grasp the implementation status of the questions in each of the contents of the multiple types of dictionaries, as described above with reference to FIG. 5. Note that the information included in the learning status 111A, the layout of the screen 600, and the like are not limited to those exemplified in FIG. 5. For example, the screen generated based on the learning status 111 may be a screen indicating whether or not the questions in at least one of the contents of the multiple types of dictionaries for the selected entry word have been solved.

[0037] Next, an example of learning using the electronic dictionary 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flow chart for explaining an example of a test implementation process performed by the electronic dictionary. The process performed by the electronic dictionary 1 illustrated in Fig. 6 is performed by the control unit 100 of the electronic dictionary 1 alone or in cooperation with the storage unit 101, the first input unit 102, the second input unit 103, the display unit 104, etc. When the electronic dictionary 1 accepts a predetermined input operation by the user using the first input unit 102 or the second input unit 103, it starts the test implementation process illustrated in Fig. 6.

[0038] When the electronic dictionary 1 starts the test implementation process and accepts the selection of an entry word (step S101), it searches for the test implementation status and displays it on the display unit 104 (step S102). Step S101 may be interpreted as a process of detecting the input of an entry word. In step S102, the electronic dictionary 1 generates and displays a screen 600 based on the learning status 111A for the selected entry word 603, for example, as described above with reference to FIG. 5.

[0039] When any of the buttons 605A-605D associated with answering questions is pressed while the test implementation status screen 600 is displayed on the display unit 104, the electronic dictionary 1 accepts the selection of the question (step S103) and displays a question screen (step S104). For example, when the button 605B associated with English-Japanese dictionary B (English-Japanese B) on the screen 600 illustrated in Fig. 5 is pressed, the electronic dictionary 1 displays a question screen for question q (see Fig. 4) about the entry word q (senior) in the content 121 of the English-Japanese dictionary B.

[0040] When an answer is input while the question screen is displayed on the display unit 104, the electronic dictionary 1 accepts the input answer (step S105), judges whether the answer is correct or incorrect, displays the judgment result, and updates the test implementation status (step S106). In step S106, the electronic dictionary 1 judges whether the accepted answer is correct or incorrect, generates a screen of the judgment result, and displays it on the display unit 104. Also, in step S106, the electronic dictionary 1 updates the learning status 111 based on the entry word that solved the problem (the entry word selected in step S101) and the content including the solved problem (the dictionary (teaching material) selected in step S103). For example, when the question is solved by pressing the button 605B associated with the English-Japanese dictionary B (English-Japanese B) on the screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 5, the electronic dictionary 1 updates the flag (0,0) of the English-Japanese B in the learning status 111 to (1,0) or (0,1) based on the result of the correctness judgment.

[0041] After the processing of step S106 is performed, when the screen 600 is displayed again on the electronic dictionary 1, the information indicating the implementation status of the English-Japanese question B in the question implementation status 604 is updated from "-" to "○" or "×".

[0042] 6 is merely an example of the processing performed by the electronic dictionary 1 when solving a question about a headword common to the contents of multiple dictionaries using the electronic dictionary 1. For example, the processing performed by the electronic dictionary 1 when solving a question about a headword common to the contents of multiple dictionaries may omit steps S101 and S102, and may involve selecting a dictionary, selecting a headword, etc. in step S103.

[0043] The information managed in the learning status 111 in the electronic dictionary 1 of this embodiment is not limited to the implementation status of the above-mentioned questions. The information managed in the learning status 111 may include, for example, the browsing status of detailed information about an entry word common to the contents of multiple types of dictionaries.

[0044] Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining a second example of the screen display of the learning status. Fig. 7 shows an example of the learning status 111B including the viewing status of the detailed information and the implementation status of the questions, and an example of a screen 610 displayed on the display unit 104 (touch panel display 4) of the electronic dictionary 1 based on the learning status 111B.

[0045] In the learning status 111B illustrated in FIG. 6, "Details" and "Questions" are managed as the learning status for one English-Japanese dictionary. "Details" is information indicating whether detailed information about the headword has been viewed, "Done" indicates that it has been viewed, and "Not yet" indicates that it has not been viewed. "Questions" is information indicating the implementation status of the questions about the headword, "○" indicates that the question has been answered and is correct, "×" indicates that the question has been answered and is incorrect, and "-" indicates that it has not been implemented (the question has not been answered). Note that "Done", "Not yet", "○", "×", and "-" in the learning status 111B in FIG. 6 are convenient expressions indicating the learning status, and the information indicating the viewing status of the detailed information and the implementation status of the questions in the learning status 111B may be in other formats. For example, the viewing status of the detailed information may be indicated by "0 (not viewed)" and "1 (viewed)". Also, the implementation status of the questions may be indicated by the values ​​of the two flags described above with reference to FIG. 5.

[0046] The screen 610 includes an entry word selection area 611 and a learning status display area 612. The entry word selection area 611 displays a selected entry word (senior) 613 and the like. The learning status display area 612 displays a detailed information viewing status 614 and a question implementation status 615 for each of four English-Japanese dictionaries (English-Japanese A, English-Japanese B, English-Japanese C, and English-Japanese D) associated with the entry word in the learning status 111B. The detailed information viewing status 614 displays "Done" or "Not yet" for each English-Japanese dictionary, indicating whether the detailed information has been viewed or not, and a button for displaying the detailed information. When a button for the detailed information viewing status 614 is pressed, detailed information of the selected entry word (senior) in the English-Japanese dictionary associated with the pressed button is displayed. The question implementation status 615 on the screen 610 includes a question implementation status 604 and buttons 605A to 605D of the screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0047] In this way, the electronic dictionary 1 of this embodiment may hold, for each entry word common to the contents of multiple dictionaries, a learning status 111B that manages the viewing status of detailed information about the entry word in each of the contents of multiple dictionaries and the implementation status of questions. This allows the user of the electronic dictionary 1 to easily grasp the viewing status of detailed information about the selected entry word in each of the contents of multiple dictionaries and the implementation status of questions. Note that the information included in the learning status 111B, the layout of the screen 610, and the like are not limited to those exemplified in FIG. 7.

[0048] In the case of an electronic dictionary 1 that holds a learning status 111B including the viewing status of detailed information and the implementation status of questions as illustrated in FIG. 7, for example, each time detailed information is viewed, a process is performed to mark the information indicating the viewing status in the learning status 111B as "viewed" based on the headword and dictionary information associated with the viewed detailed information.

[0049] In an electronic dictionary 1 that holds a learning status 111B including the viewing status of detailed information and the implementation status of questions as illustrated in FIG. 7, instead of the screen 610 illustrated in FIG. 7, only one of the viewing status of detailed information and the implementation status of questions (test implementation status) selected by the user may be displayed on the display unit 104.

[0050] Fig. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a learning status presentation process performed by an electronic dictionary. The process performed by the electronic dictionary 1 illustrated in Fig. 8 is performed by the control unit 100 of the electronic dictionary 1 alone or in cooperation with the storage unit 101, the first input unit 102, the second input unit 103, the display unit 104, etc. When the electronic dictionary 1 accepts a predetermined input operation by the user using the first input unit 102 or the second input unit 103, it starts the learning status presentation process illustrated in Fig. 8.

[0051] The electronic dictionary 1 that has started the learning status presentation process accepts the selection of an entry word (step S201), and then determines whether the viewing status of the detailed information or the test implementation status should be displayed on the display unit 104 (step S202). Step S201 may be interpreted as a process of detecting the input of an entry word. The information used for the determination in step S202 may be, for example, determined before the entry word is selected, or may be determined when or after the entry word is selected. For example, the screen for selecting the entry word in step S201 may be either a screen for checking the viewing status of the detailed information or a screen for checking the test implementation status. In addition, the screen for selecting the entry word in step S201 may include an object (for example, a radio button, a check box, etc.) for specifying whether the viewing status of the detailed information or the test implementation status should be checked.

[0052] When displaying the viewing status of detailed information (step S202; viewing status of detailed information), the electronic dictionary 1 searches, for example, the learning status 111B illustrated in Fig. 7, and displays the viewing status of detailed information for the selected entry word based on the "details" information in each of the multiple types of English-Japanese dictionaries on the display unit 104 (step S203). The screen displayed in step S203 may be, for example, a screen 610 illustrated in Fig. 7 from which the question implementation status (test implementation status) 615 is omitted.

[0053] When displaying the test implementation status (step S202; test implementation status), the electronic dictionary 1 searches, for example, the learning status 111B illustrated in Fig. 7, and displays the test implementation status for the selected entry word based on the "question" information in each of the multiple types of English-Japanese dictionaries on the display unit 104 (step S204). The screen displayed in step S204 may be, for example, a screen 610 illustrated in Fig. 7 with the detailed information viewing status 614 omitted.

[0054] The above-mentioned learning status presentation method can be applied not only to the electronic dictionary 1 but also to a learning support system using a communication network such as the Internet. In this type of learning support system, a communication terminal such as a tablet computer can be used to access a Web system that provides contents such as dictionaries, and the communication terminal can be used for learning as a learning support device such as an electronic dictionary.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a learning support system according to an embodiment.

[0056] The learning support system 10 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a Web system 7 and a learning terminal 8 as a learning support device. FIG. 9 shows, as examples of the learning terminal 8, a learning terminal 8A used by user A for learning and a learning terminal 8B used by user B for learning. The learning support system 10 may also include a learning terminal 8 used by a user other than user A and user B for learning. The user may be a child, a pupil, a student, etc. In the following description, the symbol for the learning terminal is the numeral symbol "8" followed by the alphabet "A" or "B" only when specifying the user.

[0057] The Web system 7 is a system that uses the Internet 9 to provide multiple contents including multiple types of English-Japanese dictionaries, and includes a control unit 700, a storage unit 701, and a communication unit 704. The Web system 7 may be configured, for example, by a single server, or may be configured by multiple servers. For example, the Web system 7 may be configured by a Web server, an application server, and a database server. In this specification, the term "server" may be read as "computer."

[0058] The control unit 700 controls the operation of the Web system 7. For example, the control unit 700 performs processing in response to an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) request from the study terminal 8, generates a screen in response to the result of the processing, and transmits the screen to the study terminal 8 as an HTTP response. The processing in response to the HTTP request includes a search process using an entry word as a search key, various processes related to solving questions about the entry word, a process for updating and displaying the study status, and the like. The functions of the control unit 700 are provided by one or more processors that execute an OS program and various programs related to the provision of content. The processor may include a CPU. The processor may include a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and the like.

[0059] The storage unit 701 includes a learning material content 710 including a plurality of types of content provided to the user via the Internet 9, user data 711 storing the learning situation of each user, and a third storage unit storing other data, programs, etc. (not shown). The storage unit providing the function of the storage unit 701 includes a ROM and a RAM as a main storage unit, and an auxiliary storage unit. The auxiliary storage unit may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 701 may include a portable recording medium as one of the auxiliary storage units, or separate from the main storage unit and the auxiliary storage unit. The portable recording medium may be an optical disk such as a compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark), a storage unit equipped with a universal serial bus (USB) terminal, a card-type storage unit, etc. Some of the functions of the storage unit 701 may be provided by, for example, a cache memory built into a processor such as a CPU.

[0060] The teaching material contents 710 include the contents 720 of English-Japanese dictionary A and the contents 720 of English-Japanese dictionary B shown in Fig. 9, as well as one or more contents not shown in Fig. 9. The teaching material contents 710 may be substantially the same as the teaching material contents 110 of the electronic dictionary 1 described above with reference to Fig. 2 etc. The content of a single dictionary includes headword data, detailed information data, and question data. In the content of the English-Japanese dictionary, the headword is an English word etc., and the detailed information may be information such as the phonetic symbol of the English word, its meaning in Japanese, example sentences, etc.

[0061] The user data 711 stores learning situations 740 associated with users who can use the Web system 7, including learning situations 740A associated with user A and learning situations 740B associated with user B. In the following description, the code for the learning situation is written as the numeral code "740" followed by the alphabet "A" or "B" only when specifying the user.

[0062] The learning situation 740 may be, for example, the learning situation 111 shown in Fig. 4, the learning situation 111A shown in Fig. 5, the learning situation 111B shown in Fig. 7, or other similar learning situations. The information for each user stored in the user data 711 is not limited to the learning situation 740.

[0063] Returning to the description of the configuration example of the Web system 7 with reference to Fig. 9, the communication unit 704 of the Web system 7 connects the Web system 7 to the Internet 9 and communicates with an external device via the Internet 9. The function of the communication unit 704 is provided by a communication device that is connected to a communication device such as a router connected to the Internet 9 by a transmission cable such as a LAN (Local Area Network) cable and communicates according to a well-known communication standard. The function of the communication unit 704 may be provided by a wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates with a communication device such as an access point or a router connected to the Internet 9 according to a wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi.

[0064] Although not shown in FIG. 9, the Web system 7 may include, for example, an input unit provided by an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, and a display unit provided by a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

[0065] 9 includes a control unit 800, a storage unit 801, an input unit 802, a display unit 803, a communication unit 804, a sound collection unit 805, and a sound emission unit 806. The learning terminal 8 may be, for example, a personal computer such as a tablet computer. The learning terminal 8 is not limited to a general-purpose computer, and may be a computer dedicated to learning using the Web system 7 or a computer with limited functions.

[0066] The control unit 800 controls the operation of the study terminal 8. For example, the control unit 800 performs a process of displaying a screen (web page) transmitted from the Web system 7 on the Web browser, and a process of transmitting information input on the Web browser to the Web system 7 as an HTTP request. The functions of the control unit 800 are provided by one or more processors that execute an OS program and various programs (such as the Web browser 810) related to the use of the content of the Web system 7. The processor may include a CPU. The processor may include a DSP, etc.

[0067] The storage unit 801 stores a Web browser 810 and other data, programs, etc. (not shown). The Web browser 810 is not limited to a specific browser as long as it is capable of displaying Web pages for browsing and operating dictionary contents and the like provided by the Web system 7 and for inputting characters and the like. A storage device that provides the functions of the storage unit 801 includes a ROM and RAM as a main storage device, and an auxiliary storage device. The auxiliary storage device may be, for example, an HDD, an SSD, etc. The storage unit 801 may include a portable recording medium such as an optical disk, a storage device equipped with a USB terminal, or a card-type storage device.

[0068] The input unit 802 accepts input of information related to the operation (movement) of the study terminal 8. The input accepted by the input unit 802 includes an input for starting a web browser, an input for selecting an object displayed in the web browser, an input of an entry word, and the like. The function of the input unit 802 is provided by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The display unit 803 visualizes and displays information related to the operation, and the like of the study terminal 8. The information displayed on the display unit 803 includes information of a screen (web page) for the web browser transmitted from the web system 7. The function of the display unit 803 is provided by, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display. When the study terminal 8 is a terminal equipped with a touch panel display such as a tablet computer, a part or all of the function of the input unit 802 is provided by a position detection device arranged over the display surface of the display device functioning as the display unit 803.

[0069] The communication unit 804 connects the learning terminal 8 to the Internet 9 and communicates with an external device via the Internet 9. The function of the communication unit 804 is provided by a wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates with an access point or a router connected to the Internet 9 in accordance with a wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The function of the communication unit 804 may be provided by a communication device that is connected to a communication device such as a router connected to the Internet 9 by a transmission cable such as a LAN cable.

[0070] The sound collection unit 805 converts sounds (sound waves) around the learning terminal 8 into audio data (electrical signals). The sound collection unit 805 enables, for example, the user to practice pronunciation using content, input operations by voice, and the like. The function of the sound collection unit 805 is provided, for example, by a microphone built into the learning terminal 8 or connected to an input terminal equipped in the learning terminal 8. The sound emission unit 806 emits audio data (electrical signals) as sound (sound waves) around the learning terminal 8. The sound emission unit 806 enables the user to practice pronunciation and listening using content, provide operation guidance by voice, and the like. The function of the sound emission unit 806 is provided, for example, by a speaker built into the learning terminal 8. The function of the sound emission unit 806 may be provided by earphones, speakers, and the like connected to an output terminal equipped in the learning terminal 8.

[0071] The learning terminal 8 in the learning support system 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration.

[0072] As described above, the user of the learning support system 10 according to this embodiment may be a child, a pupil, a student, or the like. For example, a user can use the learning terminal 8 to look up the meaning of an English word using the contents of an English-Japanese dictionary during an English class at school. Looking up the meaning of an English word using the contents of an English-Japanese dictionary in the Web system 7 is an example of searching for an entry word.

[0073] Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of processing performed in a learning support system according to an embodiment. Fig. 10 illustrates, among various processing performed in the learning support system 10, a processing for presenting a learning status for an entry word and a processing for solving a problem that follows. The processing performed by the learning terminal 8 illustrated in Fig. 10 is performed by the control unit 800 of the learning terminal 8 alone or in cooperation with the storage unit 801, the input unit 802, the display unit 803, the communication unit 804, etc. Also, the processing performed by the Web system 7 illustrated in Fig. 10 is performed by the control unit 700 of the Web system 7 alone or in cooperation with the storage unit 701, the communication unit 704, etc.

[0074] After the learning terminal 8 is connected to the Web system 7 by a predetermined connection process not shown in FIG. 10, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the learning terminal 8, a heading selection screen is displayed on the display unit 803 of the learning terminal 8 (step S301). The heading selection screen displayed in step S301 is a screen for selecting a heading for viewing the learning status including the implementation status of the question (test implementation status). When the user performs an operation to select a heading while the heading selection screen is displayed, the learning terminal 8 accepts the selection of the heading (step S302) and transmits a learning status viewing request including the selected heading to the Web system 7 (step S303). Step S302 may be interpreted as a process of detecting the input of a heading. The Web system 7 that receives the learning status viewing request searches the learning status 111 using the heading included in the viewing request as a search key, and generates a screen showing the learning status (step S304). In step S304, the Web system 7 generates a Web page corresponding to a screen such as the screen 600 illustrated in Fig. 5 or the screen 610 illustrated in Fig. 7. After that, when the Web system 7 transmits the generated screen (Web page) to the study terminal 8 (step S305), a screen showing the study status is displayed on the display unit 803 of the study terminal 8 (step S306).

[0075] When the user selects to solve a problem on the learning terminal 8 on which the screen showing the learning status is displayed, the learning terminal 8 accepts the selection of the problem (step S307) and transmits a question request including information on the dictionary and the entry word associated with the selected problem to the Web system 7 (step S308). Step S307 is performed, for example, by pressing any of the buttons 605A to 605D displayed on the screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 5. The Web system 7 that receives the question request identifies a problem based on the information on the dictionary and the entry word included in the question request and generates a question screen (step S309). The question screen includes, for example, a question text and an answer field for inputting (selecting) an answer. The display contents, layout, and the like of the question screen are not limited to a specific one. After that, the Web system 7 transmits the generated question screen (Web page) to the learning terminal 8 (step S310), and the question screen is displayed on the display unit 803 of the learning terminal 8 (step S311).

[0076] When the user inputs an answer to the learning terminal 8 on which the question screen is displayed, the learning terminal 8 accepts the input of the answer (step S312) and transmits a grading request including the answer information to the Web system 7 (step S313). Step S312 is performed, for example, by selecting one of the answer options in the question screen. The Web system 7 that receives the grading request judges whether the answer included in the grading request is correct or incorrect, generates a correct or incorrect screen showing the judgment result, and updates the learning status 740 (step S314). The correct or incorrect screen includes, for example, a question text, a correct answer prepared in the dictionary content, and a result of the correct or incorrect judgment of the answer. The display contents and layout of the correct or incorrect screen are not limited to a specific one. The Web system 7 updates the implementation status of the question (test implementation status) in the learning status 740 of the user of the learning terminal 8 based on the dictionary and entry word information included in the question request and the result of the correct or incorrect judgment. Thereafter, when the Web system 7 transmits the generated correct / incorrect screen (Web page) to the study terminal 8 (step S315), the correct / incorrect screen is displayed on the display unit 803 of the study terminal 8 (step S316).

[0077] In this way, even in the learning support system 10 including the Web system 7 and the learning terminal 8, the learning status 740 can be used to easily check the viewing status of detailed information for each dictionary for headwords common to the contents of multiple types of dictionaries, and the implementation status of questions (test implementation status).

[0078] The above-mentioned embodiment is a specific example shown to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. The learning support device, learning support system, learning status presentation method, and program can be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0079] For example, the learning terminal 8 and the Web system 7 in the learning support system 10 illustrated in the above embodiment may be connected by a communication network other than the Internet 9, such as a school LAN or intramural LAN. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1. Electronic dictionary 2 Keyboard 3, 5 Housing part 4 Touch panel display 7 Web System 8. Learning devices 9. Internet 10 Learning Support System 100, 700, 800 Control section 101, 701, 801 Storage section 102, 103, 802 Input section 104, 803 Display section 105, 805 Sound pickup section 106, 806 Sound emitting part 110, 710 Teaching material content 120, 121, 122, 720, 721 English-Japanese dictionary contents 704, 804 Communications Department

Claims

1. storing, for each common entry word, information indicating a status of a process related to the entry word in each of the plurality of types of content including the entry word in a storage unit for a plurality of types of content in which the entry word and related information about the entry word are associated with each other; when detecting an input of the entry word common to the plurality of types of content, based on the information stored in the storage unit, controlling the display unit to display a processing status related to the entry word input for each of the plurality of types of content; A learning support device comprising a control unit.

2. the related information includes a question about the entry; The information indicating the status of the process related to the entry word is information indicating the answer status of the question, The control unit controls the display unit to display information indicating the answer status.

2. The learning support device according to claim 1.

3. The information indicating the answer status further includes a result of a correct / incorrect judgment of the question, The control unit further controls the display unit to display a result of the correct / incorrect determination.

3. The learning support device according to claim 2.

4. The related information includes detailed information about the entry word, the information indicating the status of the processing related to the entry word includes information indicating whether the detailed information has been displayed; The control unit controls the display unit to display information indicating whether the detailed information has been displayed.

4. The learning support device according to claim 1, wherein the learning support device is a device for performing learning operations.

5. A learning assistance system including a learning assistance device and a server communicably connected to the learning assistance device, The control unit of the server storing, for each common entry word, information indicating a status of a process related to the entry word in each of the plurality of types of content including the entry word in a storage unit for a plurality of types of content in which the entry word and related information about the entry word are associated with each other; when detecting an input of the entry word common to the plurality of types of content transmitted from the learning support device, transmitting to the learning support device processing status data indicating a processing status related to the entry word input for each of the plurality of types of content based on the information stored in the storage unit; A control unit of the learning support device Based on the received processing status data, a display unit is controlled to display a processing status related to the input entry word for each of the plurality of types of content. A learning support system comprising:

6. On the computer, storing, for each common entry word, information indicating a status of processing related to the entry word in each of the plurality of types of content including the entry word, in a storage unit, for a plurality of types of content in which the entry word and related information about the entry word are associated with each other; when detecting an input of the entry word common to the plurality of types of content, displaying on a display unit a processing status related to the entry word input for each of the plurality of types of content based on the information stored in the storage unit; A learning status presentation method comprising:

7. On the computer, a function of storing, for each common heading word, information indicating a status of processing related to the heading word in each of the plurality of types of content including the heading word in a storage unit, for a plurality of types of content in which a heading word is associated with related information about the heading word; a function of displaying, on a display unit, a status of processing related to the inputted entry word for each of the plurality of types of content based on the information stored in the storage unit when input of the entry word common to the plurality of types of content is detected; A program to achieve this.

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