Learning support system, learning support method and program

Abstract

To efficiently determine the level of understanding of kanji characters that have multiple readings, and to provide learning support suited to each individual user. [Solution] The learning support system includes a question storage unit that stores questions to test comprehension of readings for each kanji character and combination of readings that have multiple readings, a question setting unit that sets questions to the user, and a judgment unit that judges the user's level of comprehension of the readings based on the user's answers to the questions.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A technology for a kanji exercise notebook used for learning kanji has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5249059 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional kanji learning systems have difficulty effectively measuring the level of understanding of kanji that have multiple readings and providing learning support tailored to each learner's level of understanding.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of this background, and aims to provide a technology that efficiently determines the level of understanding of kanji that have multiple readings and provides learning support that is appropriate for each individual user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The main invention of the present invention for solving the above problem is a learning support system characterized by comprising: a question storage unit that stores questions for testing comprehension of a reading for each kanji character and combination of readings that have multiple readings; a question setting unit that sets the questions to a user; and a judgment unit that judges the user's level of comprehension of the reading based on the user's answers to the questions.

[0007] Other problems and solutions disclosed in this application will be made clear in the section on preferred embodiments of the invention and the drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently determine the level of understanding of kanji characters that have multiple readings, and to provide learning support suited to each individual user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a learning support system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a management server 2. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the software configuration of a management server 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of a question storage unit 231. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of a learning support system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <System Overview> A learning support system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The learning support system of this embodiment is a system that efficiently measures the level of understanding of kanji characters with multiple readings and provides learning support according to the user's level of understanding. This system has the function of storing questions for each combination of kanji characters and their readings, presenting questions to the user, and judging the user's level of understanding based on the user's answers.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a learning support system. The learning support system of this embodiment is configured to include a management server 2. The management server 2 is communicably connected to a user terminal 1 via a communication network. The communication network is, for example, the Internet, and is constructed using a public telephone line network, a mobile phone line network, a wireless communication path, Ethernet (registered trademark), etc.

[0012] The user terminal 1 is a computer operated by a user. The user terminal 1 can be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal computer, etc. The user terminal 1 is equipped with a microphone and can capture the user's voice.

[0013] The management server 2 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing.

[0014] <Administration Server> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 2. Note that the illustrated configuration is an example, and other configurations may also be used. The management server 2 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, a storage device 203, a communication interface 204, an input device 205, and an output device 206. The storage device 203 stores various data and programs, and is, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or a flash memory. The communication interface 204 is an interface for connecting to a communication network, and is, for example, an adapter for connecting to Ethernet (registered trademark), a modem for connecting to a public telephone network, a wireless communication device for wireless communication, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector or an RS232C connector for serial communication. The input device 205 is used to input data, and is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a button, a microphone, or the like. The output device 206 is used to output data, and is, for example, a display, a printer, a speaker, or the like. Each functional unit of the management server 2 described below is realized by the CPU 201 reading a program stored in the storage device 203 into the memory 202 and executing it, and each storage unit of the management server 2 is realized as part of the storage area provided by the memory 202 and the storage device 203.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the management server 2. The management server 2 includes a problem storage unit 231, an understanding degree storage unit 232, an answer history storage unit 233, a question presenting unit 211, a text display unit 212, an audio data acquisition unit 213, a voiceover text creation unit 214, a determination unit 215, an understanding degree update unit 216, an analysis unit 217, and a user interface providing unit 218.

[0016] <Description of the storage unit> The problem storage unit 231 stores, in association with each combination of a Chinese character and its readings where there are multiple readings, a question for testing the understanding of the reading. Specifically, the problem storage unit 231 stores in association a Chinese character, its readings, the Chinese character with furigana, the total kana sentence of the Chinese character with furigana, and a question.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the problem storage unit 231. The problem storage unit 231 is configured as a table including fields of "Chinese character", "Reading", "Chinese character with furigana", "Total kana sentence", and "Question". For example, in the case of the Chinese character "三", there are multiple readings (such as "さん", "み"つ, "み"っつ, etc.). In the case of the Chinese character with furigana "三つ", its total kana sentence is, for example, "みっつ" or "みつ". Also, in the question field, questions for testing the understanding of the reading (hereinafter referred to as reading questions), questions for testing the understanding of the meaning (hereinafter referred to as meaning questions), and questions for testing the understanding of the furigana (hereinafter referred to as furigana questions) are stored.

[0018] Furigana can be set for the vocabulary included in the reading questions. The furigana is set in the text of the reading question with parentheses () attached after the Chinese character. One group of vocabulary can be enclosed with curly braces {}. For example, for the vocabulary "用紙", the furigana can be set as "{用(よう)紙(し)}". Also, when multiple Chinese characters form one group of readings, it can be set as "{今日(きょう)}".

[0019] The meaning questions and okurigana questions can be multiple-choice questions that present multiple options to the user to select the correct answer. Multiple-choice questions can include a correct answer option and one or more incorrect answer options. Note that furigana can also be set for meaning questions and okurigana questions, just like reading questions.

[0020] The comprehension level storage unit 232 stores the user's comprehension level for each combination of kanji and reading. Specifically, it stores a user ID, kanji, reading, kanji with trailing kana including kanji, total kana sentence of kanji with trailing kana, and comprehension level in association with each other. The comprehension level is expressed as a numerical value ranging from 0 to 100, for example, with a higher value indicating a higher comprehension level. The comprehension level storage unit 232 can also store the comprehension level of reading, comprehension level of meaning, and comprehension level of trailing kana.

[0021] The answer history storage unit 233 stores the user's past answer history, specifically, the user ID, question ID, question date and time, answer content, correct / incorrect judgment result, and the like.

[0022] <Explanation of functional parts> The question setting unit 211 sets questions to the user. The question setting unit 211 acquires questions from the question storage unit 231 and transmits them to the user terminal 1. The question setting unit 211 controls the frequency of questions to be set according to the user's level of understanding. Specifically, the frequency of questions set is increased for combinations of kanji and readings with a low level of understanding, and the frequency of questions set is decreased for combinations of kanji and readings with a high level of understanding.

[0023] Furthermore, the question setting unit 211 adjusts the timing of setting a question according to the elapsed time based on a forgetting curve. A forgetting curve is a curve that indicates the rate at which learned content is forgotten over time, and a well-known example is the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve. The question setting unit 211 determines the timing of setting the next question based on the elapsed time since the previous question and the user's level of understanding. For example, if the level of understanding is low, the question is set at gradually increasing intervals, such as one day, three days, one week, two weeks, and one month later. If the level of understanding is high, the question is set at longer intervals, such as one week, two weeks, one month, and three months later.

[0024] The text display unit 212 displays the question text. The question text includes the Kanji to be tested. The text display unit 212 displays the question text on the display of the user terminal 1.

[0025] The voice data acquisition unit 213 acquires voice data of the user reading the question text aloud. The voice data acquisition unit 213 includes a function of transmitting the voice data acquired from the microphone of the user terminal 1 to the management server 2.

[0026] The voice-to-speech text creation unit 214 creates voice-to-speech text by analyzing the voice data. The voice-to-speech text creation unit 214 converts the voice data into text using voice recognition technology. For voice recognition, a voice recognition engine using deep learning, for example, can be used.

[0027] The determination unit 215 determines the user's level of comprehension of the reading based on the user's answer to the question. In the case of a reading aloud question, the determination unit 215 compares the total kana sentences of the question text with the read-aloud text. Specifically, the determination unit 215 calculates the similarity between the character strings of the total kana sentences and the read-aloud text, and determines the answer as correct if the similarity is equal to or greater than a threshold. For example, methods such as Levenshtein distance and cosine similarity can be used to calculate the similarity.

[0028] In the case of a multiple-choice question, the determination unit 215 compares the option selected by the user with the correct option, and determines the answer as correct if the options match, and determines the answer as incorrect if they do not match.

[0029] The understanding level update unit 216 updates the understanding level based on the determination result by the determination unit 215. For example, if the answer is correct, the understanding level is increased by a predetermined value, and if the answer is incorrect, the understanding level is decreased by a predetermined value. The extent to which the understanding level is updated can be adjusted depending on the difficulty of the question and the time elapsed since the previous question. For example, if a difficult question is answered correctly or if the answer is answered correctly after a long time has passed since the previous question, the extent to which the understanding level is increased can be increased.

[0030] The analysis unit 217 analyzes the answer history and presents the analysis results to at least either the user or the instructor. The analysis unit 217 analyzes the tendency of incorrect answers based on the answer history. For example, it detects cases where there are many incorrect answers for a specific combination of kanji and reading, or where a specific pattern of errors occurs repeatedly. The analysis unit 217 displays the analysis results on the user terminal 1 in the form of a graph, table, or other format that is visually easy to understand.

[0031] The user interface providing unit 218 provides a user interface that displays the reading of a kanji when the kanji in the question text that displays the question is pressed. Specifically, a function can be provided in which, when the user taps or clicks on a kanji in the question text, the reading of the kanji is displayed as a ruby ​​reading for the kanji. This allows the user to immediately check the reading of kanji that the user does not understand. The user interface providing unit 218 can display furigana in parentheses included in the reading question.

[0032] <System processing flow> FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the learning support system.

[0033] First, the question setting unit 211 selects a question to be set to the user (S101). The selection of a question is made based on the user's level of understanding and the time elapsed since the previous question was set.

[0034] Next, the text display unit 212 displays the selected question on the user terminal 1 (S102). If the question is a reading aloud question, the question text contains kanji characters. The kanji characters are provided with furigana, and when the user clicks on the question text, the furigana is displayed.

[0035] When the user answers the question, the answer is sent to the management server 2 (S103). If the question is a reading aloud question, the voice data acquisition unit 213 acquires the user's voice data, and the reading text creation unit 214 analyzes the voice data and creates a reading text (S104).

[0036] The determination unit 215 determines the level of understanding based on the user's answer (S105). In the case of a reading aloud question, the determination is made by comparing all kana sentences in the question text with the text that is read aloud. In the case of a multiple-choice question, the determination is made by comparing the option selected by the user with the correct answer option.

[0037] The understanding level update unit 216 updates the understanding level based on the determination result (S106). The updated understanding level is stored in the understanding level storage unit 232.

[0038] The answer history is recorded in the answer history storage unit 233 (S107).

[0039] The analysis unit 217 analyzes the answer history and presents the analysis results to the user or the instructor (S108).

[0040] The question setting unit 211 determines the timing of setting the next question based on the updated level of understanding and forgetting curve (S109).

[0041] As described above, the learning support system of this embodiment can efficiently determine the user's level of understanding of kanji characters that have multiple readings and provide learning support that is appropriate for each user. In particular, by measuring the user's level of understanding of readings through reading aloud questions and multiple-choice questions and adjusting the timing of questions based on the forgetting curve, it is possible to support effective learning.

[0042] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the above embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention.

[0043] For example, the processing by each of the functional units of the management server 2 described above may be performed by any of the functional units. Also, a different functional unit that performs part of the processing by each of the functional units described above may be added. Also, the functional units of the management server 2 may be distributed across multiple computers.

[0044] Furthermore, the information stored in each storage unit of the management server 2 may be stored in any of the storage units. That is, the information stored in the above-mentioned multiple storage units may be stored in one storage unit, or part of the information stored in one of the above-mentioned storage units may be stored in another storage unit.

[0045] <Variation 1> In the above-described embodiment, the frequency of questions is controlled based on the results of the comprehension assessment. However, the frequency of questions may also be controlled based on the learning goal set by the user. For example, if the user sets a goal of "mastering the readings of commonly used kanji within one month," the system can calculate the learning pace required to achieve the goal and automatically adjust the frequency of questions based on that. Specifically, the system calculates the amount of learning per day based on the target period and the number of kanji to be learned, and presents a number of questions each day according to that amount. Furthermore, by increasing the frequency of questions for kanji with low comprehension, efficient learning can be supported.

[0046] <Variation 2> In the above-described embodiment, learning support is provided based on the individual user's level of understanding. However, learning data from multiple users may be aggregated and analyzed, and the difficulty level and question format may be optimized based on the results. For example, for kanji-reading combinations that many users tend to answer incorrectly, more detailed explanations and example sentences may be added, or related kanji may be studied together, thereby enhancing learning effectiveness. Specifically, data mining technology may be used to analyze error patterns, identify groups of kanji with similar error tendencies, and automatically generate a curriculum for studying them together.

[0047] <Variation 3> In the above-described embodiment, an example of measuring the level of understanding of reading kanji characters has been shown, but a function for measuring the ability to write kanji characters may also be added. For example, the user terminal 1 may be equipped with a handwriting input function such as a touch panel or pen tablet, and a function may be implemented in which the user handwrites kanji characters or sentences read aloud by the system and the accuracy of the handwriting input is evaluated. Handwriting recognition technology may be used to recognize the kanji characters written by the user and evaluate them by comparing them with correct kanji characters. Measuring both writing ability and reading ability allows a more comprehensive understanding of kanji characters.

[0048] <Disclosures> The present disclosure also includes the following configurations. [Item 1] a question storage unit that stores questions for testing comprehension of a kanji character and a combination of the kanji characters having multiple readings, in association with each other; a question setting unit that sets the question to the user; a determination unit that determines the user's level of comprehension of the reading based on the user's answer to the question; A learning support system comprising: [Item 2] Item 1 is a learning support system according to the present invention, the problem storage unit stores, for each of the combinations, the kanji, the reading, a kanji character with trailing kana including the kanji, and the problem in association with each other; The problem includes the kanji with trailing kana. A learning support system that features: [Item 3] Item 1 is a learning support system according to the present invention, The question includes a question text including the kanji and a full kana sentence of the question text, a text display unit that displays the question text; a voice data acquisition unit that acquires voice data of the question text read aloud by a user; a text-to-speech creation unit that creates a text-to-speech by analyzing the voice data; Equipped with the determination unit compares the total kana sentence and the read-out text; A learning support system that features: [Item 4] Item 3. A learning support system according to item 3, the problem storage unit stores, for each of the combinations, the kanji, the reading, a kanji character with trailing kana including the kanji character, a full kana sentence of the kanji character with trailing kana, and the problem in association with each other; The problem includes the kanji with trailing kana, the determination unit compares the full kana sentence of the kanji with trailing kana and the read-out text; A learning support system that features: [Item 5] Item 1 is a learning support system according to the present invention, a comprehension level storage unit that stores the user's comprehension level for each of the combinations of the kanji and the readings; an understanding level update unit that updates the understanding level based on the determination result by the determination unit; A learning support system comprising: [Item 6] Item 5. A learning support system according to item 5, the question setting unit controls the frequency of questions to be set in accordance with the level of understanding of the user; A learning support system that features: [Item 7] Item 6. A learning support system according to item 6, the question setting unit adjusts the timing of setting the question in accordance with the elapsed time based on a forgetting curve; A learning support system that features: [Item 8] Item 1 is a learning support system according to the present invention, the problem storage unit stores, for each of the combinations, a first problem for testing comprehension of the reading, a second problem for testing comprehension of the meaning, and a third problem for testing comprehension of okurigana; the question setting unit sets the first to third questions, the determination unit determines the degree of comprehension of the reading, the degree of comprehension of the meaning, and the degree of comprehension of the trailing kana based on the answers from the user to the first to third questions; A learning support system that features: [Item 9] Item 1 is a learning support system according to the present invention, an answer history storage unit that stores the user's past answer history; an analysis unit that analyzes the answer history and presents the analysis results to at least one of the user and the instructor; A learning support system that features: [Item 10] Item 9. A learning support system according to item 9, the analysis unit analyzes the tendency of incorrect answers based on the answer history; A learning support system that features: [Item 11] Item 9. A learning support system according to item 9, the question setting unit sets questions in a focused manner related to the tendency of incorrect answers; A learning support system that features: [Item 12] Item 1 is a learning support system according to the present invention, the question setting unit provides a user interface that displays the reading of a kanji character when the kanji character is pressed in a question text that displays the question for testing comprehension of the reading; A learning support system that features: [Item 13] a step of storing questions for testing comprehension of a kanji character and a combination of the kanji characters having multiple readings, in association with each other; Providing the question to a user; determining the user's comprehension of the reading based on the user's answers to the questions; A learning support method characterized by being executed by a computer. [Item 14] a step of storing questions for testing comprehension of a kanji character and a combination of the kanji characters having multiple readings, in association with each other; Providing the question to a user; determining the user's comprehension of the reading based on the user's answers to the questions; A program that causes a computer to execute the following. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. User terminal 2 Management Server

Claims

1. a question storage unit that stores, for each combination of a kanji character, a reading, and an okurigana character that has multiple readings, a first question for testing comprehension of the reading, a second question for testing comprehension of the meaning, and a third question for testing comprehension of the okurigana character, in association with each other; a question setting unit that sets the first to third questions to a user; a determination unit that determines the user's understanding of the reading, the understanding of the meaning, and the understanding of the trailing kana based on the user's answers to the first to third questions; a comprehension level storage unit that stores the user's comprehension level of the reading, the comprehension level of the meaning, and the comprehension level of the okurigana for each of the combinations of the kanji, the reading, and the okurigana; A learning support system comprising:

2. The learning support system according to claim 1, the problem storage unit stores, for each of the combinations, the kanji, the reading, a kanji character with trailing kana including the kanji, and the first to third problems in association with each other; The first to third questions include the kanji with trailing kana. A learning support system that features:

3. The learning support system according to claim 1, the first to third questions each include a question text containing the kanji and a sentence written entirely in kana in the question text; a text display unit that displays the question text; a voice data acquisition unit that acquires voice data of the question text read aloud by a user; a text-to-speech creation unit that creates a text-to-speech by analyzing the voice data; Equipped with the determination unit compares the total kana sentence and the read-out text; A learning support system that features:

4. The learning support system according to claim 3, the problem storage unit stores, for each of the combinations, the kanji, the reading, a kanji with trailing kana including the kanji, a full kana sentence of the kanji with trailing kana, and the first to third problems in association with each other; the first to third questions include the kanji with trailing kana; the determination unit compares the full kana sentence of the kanji with trailing kana and the read-out text; A learning support system that features:

5. The learning support system according to claim 1, a comprehension level update unit that updates the comprehension level of the reading, the comprehension level of the meaning, and the comprehension level of the trailing kana based on the determination result by the determination unit; A learning support system comprising:

6. The learning support system according to claim 5, the question setting unit controls the frequency of setting the first to third questions in accordance with the user's level of comprehension of the reading, the level of comprehension of the meaning, and the level of comprehension of the trailing kana; A learning support system that features:

7. The learning support system according to claim 6, the question setting unit adjusts timings for setting the first to third questions in accordance with elapsed time based on a forgetting curve; A learning support system that features:

8. The learning support system according to claim 1, an answer history storage unit that stores the user's past answer history; an analysis unit that analyzes the answer history and presents the analysis results to at least one of the user and the instructor; A learning support system that features:

9. The learning support system according to claim 8, the analysis unit analyzes the tendency of incorrect answers based on the answer history; A learning support system that features:

10. The learning support system according to claim 9, the question setting unit sets questions with a focus on the first to third questions related to the tendency of incorrect answers, A learning support system that features:

11. The learning support system according to claim 1, the question setting unit provides a user interface that displays the reading of a kanji character when the kanji character is pressed in question text displaying the first question for testing comprehension of the reading; A learning support system that features:

12. a step of storing, for each combination of a kanji character, a reading, and an okurigana character that has multiple readings, a first question for testing comprehension of the reading, a second question for testing comprehension of the meaning, and a third question for testing comprehension of the okurigana character, in association with each other; a step of presenting the first to third questions to a user; a step of determining the user's comprehension level of the reading, the user's comprehension level of the meaning, and the user's comprehension level of the trailing kana based on the user's answers to the first to third questions; storing the user's comprehension of the reading, the comprehension of the meaning, and the comprehension of the okurigana for each of the combinations of the kanji, the reading, and the okurigana; A learning support method characterized by being executed by a computer.

13. a step of storing, for each combination of a kanji character, a reading, and an okurigana character that has multiple readings, a first question for testing comprehension of the reading, a second question for testing comprehension of the meaning, and a third question for testing comprehension of the okurigana character, in association with each other; a step of presenting the first to third questions to a user; a step of determining the user's comprehension level of the reading, the user's comprehension level of the meaning, and the user's comprehension level of the trailing kana based on the user's answers to the first to third questions; storing the user's comprehension of the reading, the comprehension of the meaning, and the comprehension of the okurigana for each of the combinations of the kanji, the reading, and the okurigana; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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