Electronic learning programs

Abstract

To obtain repetitive learning.SOLUTION: An opportunity to draw interest of a learner is difference in visual expression and auditory expression. Both character strings are commonly, "Where are you doing it. It is here". Sounds of both differ. One sound is in Hokkaido dialect, "Dokodeyarunosa. Kokodenaikai." The other sound is in Niigata dialect, "Dokodeyarunrane. Kokoratei." That is, although both character strings are identical, both sounds differ.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an e-learning program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, an e-learning (so-called "e-learning") system has been adopted in the educational field. One of the advantages of the e-learning system is the homogenization of guidance. What is disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a foreign language acquisition support system. What is provided in this system is foreign language acquisition content.

[0003] What is frequently used in the e-learning system is a teacher's avatar (hereinafter referred to as "Avatar"). One of its purposes is to arouse the learning motivation. What is caused by the decline in learning motivation is the decline in the level of understanding. What is disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a learning and life support system. What is used in this system is an avatar comment. What this avatar comment responds to is a user comment. What is aroused in such a conversation is the user's learning motivation. What is disclosed in Patent Document 3 is a learning support system. What is used in this system are the attributes of the teacher avatar and the attributes of the student avatar. What conforms to the attributes of the teacher avatar is the attributes of the student avatar. Thereby, what the support system optimizes is the compatibility between the teacher avatar and the student avatar.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem that this invention aims to solve is the realization of repetitive learning. Specifically, it is about how to capture the learner's interest. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Based on the above, the inventor of this invention focused on the fact that the trigger for attracting learners' interest is the discrepancy between visual and auditory representations. From this perspective, the present invention can be defined as follows.

[0007] The processes performed by a computer using an electronic learning program consist of at least input and output. That is, when an instructor is input, or when an input instructor is accepted, a string of characters and an audio output are produced in parallel (synchronously). The input instructor is associated with the string of characters and the audio. One of the string of characters and the audio is represented by a common language. The other is represented by a characteristic word. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This invention enables repetitive learning. Specifically, by varying the visual and auditory representations, it captures the learner's interest. By capturing the learner's interest, the lecture content is repeatedly studied. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] The use cases of the system according to this embodiment (this system) are shown here. [Figure 2] The system configuration is shown here. [Figure 3] What is shown here is the hardware configuration of the computer. [Figure 4] This shows the structure of the instructor list screen. [Figure 5] This shows the structure of the learning unit screen. [Figure 6]This shows the structure of the learning screen. [Figure 7] The structure of the instructor database shown here consists of (a) a basic database, (b) an image database, and (c) an audio database. [Figure 8] This shows the configuration of the learner management database. [Figure 9] This shows the flow of an electronic learning program. [Figure 10] The following are examples of the instructor list screen, specifically (a) an example when no user is active, and (b) an example when a single tap is performed. [Figure 11] The image shown here is an example of a learning unit screen. [Figure 12] The following are examples of the learning screen, specifically (a) an example when the instructor avatar "Mr. Bean" is selected, and (b) an example when the instructor avatar "Mr. Rice Farming" is selected. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] <Use Case> Figure 1 shows a use case for the system according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "this system"). The purpose of this system 1 is learning. The content of the learning is not restricted, but preferably it is something other than language learning. This system 1 is used by learners.

[0011] Learners choose both the instructor and the learning unit. One criterion for selecting an instructor is the difference in the language used. On the other hand, one criterion for selecting a learning unit is whether or not the learner has previously studied it. Hereafter, the learning unit may also be referred to as a "unit."

[0012] Learners perceive both text and sound. Text refers to visual information that represents the content of the learning unit. Sound refers to auditory information that represents the content of the learning unit.

[0013] One of the string and the voice is represented by a common language, and the other is represented by a characteristic language. The common language refers to a language whose scope of use is the entire territory of a country. The characteristic language refers to a language other than the common language. Examples of characteristic languages include dialects and individual languages. A dialect refers to a language whose scope of use is a part of a country. For example, in Japan, the common language is the Japanese national language (or, in other words, a language adopted during the national education period. Hereinafter, referred to as the "national language"). In contrast, the local language is a dialect. Examples of dialects include the Hokkaido dialect, Tsugaru dialect, Niigata dialect, Kansai dialect, Kagoshima dialect, etc. The number of candidates for the local language is two or more. An individual language refers to a language whose user is a specific individual (e.g., a famous person, etc.) or an entity (e.g., a character in a comic, etc.).

[0014] <System Configuration> Figure 2 shows the configuration of this system. System 1 is composed of a terminal device 10 and a processing device 20. The network 30 connects the terminal device 10 and the processing device 20. The descriptions of these devices are as follows.

[0015] <Terminal Device> Various values (data) are input or output by the terminal device 10. Examples of input values include selected lecturers and learning units. Examples of output values include the aforementioned strings and voices.

[0016] ]> The terminal device 10 is composed of a computer, an input device, and an output device. The input device and the output device are connected to the computer. The details of these components will be described later. Examples of the terminal device 10 include a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, a tablet, a dedicated learning machine, etc.

[0017] <Processing Device> Various values are processed by the processing device 20. That is, the output value is obtained by processing the input value. For example, the strings and voices are obtained by processing the lecturer and the learning unit.

[0018] The processing unit 20 consists of a computer and a mass storage device. The mass storage device is connected to the computer. The input values ​​and output values ​​are stored in the mass storage device. Details of these components will be described later. An example of the processing unit 20 is a management server, etc.

[0019] <Network> Network 30 refers to a communication network. Examples of Network 30 include narrow-area networks (LANs), wide-area networks (WANs), machine-to-machine communication (M2M), etc.

[0020] <Computer Hardware Configuration> Figure 3 shows the hardware configuration of the computer. The computer 40 consists of an input / output unit 41, a communication unit 42, a program storage unit 43, a temporary storage unit 44, and a processing unit 44. These components are connected to each other via a bus. The computer 40 is implemented in the terminal device 10 and the processing unit 20. A description of these components is as follows.

[0021] <Input / Output Section> The input / output section 41 receives and receives various types of data. Various devices can be connected to the input / output section 41, but examples include input devices, output devices, and external storage devices. Examples of input devices include touch panels, operation keys, buttons, keyboards, and mice. Examples of output devices include audio output devices (e.g., speakers), vibration output devices (e.g., haptic devices), and display devices (e.g., liquid crystal displays and organic EL displays). Examples of external storage devices include magnetic storage devices (HDDs, etc.), optical storage devices (CDs, DVDs, BDs, etc., including their drive devices), and semiconductor storage devices (USB memory, SD card memory, SSDs, etc.).

[0022] <Communication Unit> Various types of data are transmitted and received by the communication unit 42. The network 30 is connected to the communication unit 42. Examples of the communication unit 42 include a dial-up connection module, a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, etc.

[0023] <Program Storage Unit> Various programs are stored in the program storage unit 43. The program storage unit 43 is implemented in non-volatile memory devices (e.g., ROM) and non-volatile memory devices (e.g., HDD and SSD). Basic programs (including the data necessary for them) are stored in the non-volatile memory devices. Examples of basic programs include the Basic Input / Output System (BIOS), operating system (OS) setting program, and network setting program. Operating system (OS) and application programs are stored in the non-volatile memory devices. Examples of operating systems (OS) include Windows (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), and Android (registered trademark). An example of an application program is the electronic learning program described later.

[0024] <Temporary Storage Unit> The temporary storage unit 44 temporarily stores various programs and various data. The various data represent input values, output values, etc. The various programs are as described above. The temporary storage unit 44 is exemplified by a volatile memory device (for example, RAM).

[0025] <Processing Section> The processing section 44 executes various programs and processes various data. The execution of these programs processes the input values, resulting in output values. The processing section 44 is implemented by the central processing unit (the so-called CPU). A timing function is typically built into the central processing unit.

[0026] <Instructor List Screen> Figure 4 shows the configuration of the instructor list screen. The instructor list screen 50 mainly consists of the background section 51 and the instructor list section 52. In this embodiment, the placement of these screen components is not a concern.

[0027] Various types of information are displayed or output (hereinafter simply referred to as "display") in the background section 51, but examples include the lecture name, student name, and current date and time. The source of student names is the student management database, which will be described later. The source of current date and time While not specified, examples include the timing function and GPS data of the terminal device 10.

[0028] The instructor list section 52 displays, at a minimum, instructor avatars. These instructor avatars are displayed as thumbnails. The source of these instructor avatars is the instructor database, which will be described later. The instructor list section 52 has an activation function. That is, by operating the instructor list section 52, the learning unit screen, which will be described later, is output. Furthermore, the operation of the instructor list section 52 allows for the display of instructor attributes. Examples of instructor attributes include place of origin, gender, personality, etc. The source of these attributes is the instructor database, which will be described later.

[0029] <Learning Unit Screen> Figure 5 shows the configuration of the learning unit screen. The learning unit screen 60 mainly consists of the background section 61, the learning history section 62, and the learning unit section 63. In this embodiment, the placement of these screen components is not a concern.

[0030] The background section 61 displays various types of information, including, for example, the lecture name, student names, and the current date and time. The source of the student names and current date and time is as described above.

[0031] The learning history unit 62 displays various types of information, such as progress rates. The learning history unit 62 has an activation function. That is, by operating the learning history unit 62, details of the learning history (for example, progress for each item) are output. The source of the learning history is the learner management database, which will be described later.

[0032] The learning unit section 53 displays at least the name of the learning unit. The learning unit section 53 may optionally display the name of the instructor. The learning list section 53 has a startup function. That is, by operating the learning list section 53, the learning screen described later is output.

[0033] <Learning Screen> Figure 6 shows the configuration of the learning screen. The learning screen 70 mainly consists of a background section 71, an instructor avatar section 72, and an image section 73. In this embodiment, the placement of these screen components is not specified. Audio 80 is output in parallel with or in sync with the output of the learning screen 70.

[0034] Various types of information are displayed in the background section 71, but examples include the name of the learning unit. The source of this learning unit name is the screen element of the learning unit section 63.

[0035] What is displayed in the instructor avatar section 72 is, at the very least, the instructor avatar. The source of the instructor avatar is the instructor database, which will be described later. The only operation permitted in the instructor avatar section 72 is the display of the instructor attributes mentioned above.

[0036] The image section 73 displays at least an image. The image shows the visual information for each learning unit. This visual information consists of text and shapes. The text 73a displayed in this way is a so-called subtitle. The image can be a still image or a video. By manipulating a part of the image section 73, the image is displayed or its display is stopped.

[0037] Audio 80 represents the auditory information for each learning unit. The display of text string 73a is synchronized with the output of audio 80. By manipulating a part of the image section 73, audio 80 is output or stopped.

[0038] <Relationship between string and sound> One of the string 73a and the sound 80 is represented by the common language, and the other is represented by the feature word. When the common language and the feature word are output in parallel (synchronously), the meaning of the feature word corresponds to the meaning of the common language. In other words, the result of translating the feature word is the common language. If the meaning of the feature word is unknown, the learner will refer to the meaning of the common language.

[0039] In this embodiment, the string 73a is represented by the common language, more specifically, the national language. On the other hand, the sound 80 is represented by the characteristic word, specifically, a local language (for example, a dialect; the same applies hereinafter). This is because one element that characterizes the local language is intonation.

[0040] <Instructor Database> Figure 7 shows the structure of the instructor database, specifically consisting of (a) a basic database, (b) an image database, and (c) an audio database.

[0041] A basic database consists of one or more records. Each record has two or more fields. The attributes of each field (a pair of attribute name and attribute value) are: Instructor ID, Instructor Avatar, Image, Audio, Question, and other additional attributes. The value of each attribute is either a string or a pointer.

[0042] An image database consists of one or more records. Each record has two or more fields. The attributes of each field (a pair of attribute name and attribute value) are listed as "Image" and "Unit 1" through "Unit N". The value of "Image" indicates the value (pointer) of the image in the base database. The values ​​of "Unit 1" through "Unit N" each indicate an image file, specifically a still image file or a video file. What is irrelevant in this embodiment is the format of the image file. For example, the image file may be in an uncompressed or compressed format.

[0043] The audio database consists of one or more records. Each record has two or more fields. The attributes of each field (a pair of attribute name and attribute value) are listed as "Audio" and "Unit 1" through "Unit N". The value of "Audio" indicates the value (pointer) of "Audio" in the base database. The values ​​of "Unit 1" through "Unit N" each indicate an audio file. The format of the audio file is irrelevant in this embodiment. The audio file may be in uncompressed or compressed format.

[0044] <Learner Management Database> Figure 8 shows the structure of the learner management database. The learner management database consists of one or more records. Each record has two or more fields. The attributes of each field (a pair of attribute name and attribute value) are: learner ID, password, learner name, final image, final audio, playback position, completion flag, and other additional information. The value of the final image indicates one of the attribute values ​​(values ​​from Unit 1 to Unit N) in the image database. This attribute value indicates the last or most recently (hereinafter simply referred to as "last") image output. The value of the final audio indicates one of the attribute values ​​(values ​​from Unit 1 to Unit N) in the audio database. This attribute value indicates the last audio output. The playback (output) position value indicates the position (frame address) of the last outputted image and audio. The completion flag indicates whether or not all units have been output. Here, one instructor ID is associated with all the units in question. A completion flag value of "1" indicates that all units have been output. On the other hand, a completion flag value of "0" indicates that some or all units have not been output.

[0045] <Electronic Learning Program> Figure 9 shows the flow of the electronic learning program. The electronic learning program mainly consists of instructor input processing (S1), unit input processing (S2), and output processing (S3). The processing unit 20 is primarily responsible for executing this program. The terminal device 10 processes the commands and data from the processing unit 20. These processes are explained in detail below.

[0046] <Instructor Input Process (S1)> The purpose of the instructor input process is to select an instructor. This process is executed when the electronic learning program is started. Specifically, it is as follows:

[0047] The instructor list screen is output. Figure 10 shows an example of the instructor list screen. The instructor list screen consists of the lecture name "Vegetable Research Institute", the learner name "Kagome Tomato", the current date and time "January 1, 2020", and the instructor list (see Figure 10(a)). The instructor list consists of instructor avatars "Mr. Bean" and "Mr. Rice Farming". These are displayed as thumbnails.

[0048] Selecting an instructor avatar (for example, with a single tap) displays the instructor's attributes. For example, selecting the instructor avatar "Omame-sensei" displays the attribute "From Hokkaido" for instructor "Omame-sensei" (see Figure 10(b)). Selecting the instructor avatar "Komesaku-sensei" displays the attribute "From Niigata Prefecture" for instructor "Komesaku-sensei". Selecting an instructor avatar again (for example, with a double tap) terminates the instructor input process (S1).

[0049] During the initial startup, the audio associated with the selectable instructor avatar is the audio of a characteristic word. In other words, during the first learning session, the learner will always hear the characteristic word. At this time, the processing unit 20 refers to the attribute values ​​in the learner management database, specifically the values ​​of the final image or final audio. If these values ​​do not exist (e.g., "Null"), the number of past learning sessions is the first. From the second session onward, such restrictions are lifted. In other words, the audio associated with one of the selectable instructor avatars is the audio of the common language.

[0050] After the initial learning session, the available instructor avatars are further restricted. The instructor avatar selected initially is associated with multiple units. Other instructor avatars cannot be selected until all of these units have been output. At this time, the processing unit 20 refers to the attribute value of the learner management database, specifically the value of the completion flag. If the value of the completion flag is "0", other instructor avatars cannot be selected. For example, other instructor avatars are grayed out. On the other hand, if the value of the completion flag is "1", other instructor avatars can be selected.

[0051] <Unit Input Processing (S2)> When an instructor avatar is selected in S1, the learning unit screen is output. Figure 11 shows an example of the learning unit screen. The learning unit screen consists of the lecture name "Vegetable Research Institute", learner name "Kagome Tomato", current date and time "January 1, 2020", learning history "Learning progress rate 80%", and a learning unit list. The learning unit list consists of the learning unit names "Lesson 1: Beans are amazing!", "Lesson 2: Tomatoes are amazing too!", "Lesson 3: The good points of eggplant", "Lesson 4: I love bell peppers", and "Review Test". The instructor name "Bean Teacher" is also displayed. When a learning unit name is selected, the unit input processing (S2) is terminated.

[0052] <Output Processing (S3)> When a learning unit name is selected in S2, the learning screen is output. Figure 12 shows an example of the learning screen. Specifically, it is as follows:

[0053] As shown in Figure 12(a), when the instructor avatar "Mr. Bean" and the learning unit name "Lesson 2: Tomatoes are Amazing!" are selected, the learning screen consists of the instructor avatar "Mr. Bean", the learning unit name "Lesson 2: Tomatoes are Amazing!", the image "Pattern of a tomato", and the text "Where are you going to do it? Here, obviously." Outputting in parallel (synchronized) with the output of this text is the audio "Where are you going to do it? Isn't it here?". In other words, the text is represented in standard Japanese (national language) "Where are you going to do it? Here, obviously." On the other hand, the audio is represented in the characteristic language (Hokkaido dialect) "Where are you going to do it? Isn't it here?".

[0054] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 12(b), when the instructor avatar "Mr. Komesaku" and the learning unit name "Lesson 2: Tomatoes are amazing!" are selected, the learning screen consists of the instructor avatar "Mr. Komesaku", the learning unit name "Lesson 2: Tomatoes are amazing!", the image "Pattern of a tomato", and the text string "Where are you going to do it? Here, obviously." Outputting in parallel (synchronized) with the output of this text string is the voice "Where are you going to do it? Here, obviously." In other words, the text string is represented in standard Japanese (national language) "Where are you going to do it? Here, obviously." On the other hand, the voice is represented in the characteristic language (Niigata dialect) "Where are you going to do it? Here, obviously."

[0055] Comparing Figure 12(a) and Figure 12(b), the text in both is the same: "Where are you going to do it? Here, right?" in Japanese. However, the audio differs between the two. One audio is in Hokkaido dialect: "Where are you going to do it? Isn't it here?" The other audio is in Niigata dialect: "Where are you going to do it? Here, right?" Therefore, although the two strings of text are identical, their sounds are different.

[0056] Output processing (S3) ends when the output of one unit is stopped or when the output of one unit is completed.

[0057] If the output for a unit is stopped, the learner management database will store the value of the last image, the value of the last audio, and the value of the playback position.

[0058] Once the output of one unit is complete, and there are no remaining units to be output (i.e., all units have been outputted), the instructor input process (S1) is executed. In this case, the value of the completion flag, "1," is stored in the learner management database. In other words, the instructor list screen allows the user to select other instructor avatars.

[0059] On the other hand, once the output for one unit is complete, if there are any units remaining that have not yet been output, the unit input process (S2) is executed. In this case, the value of the completion flag, "0", is stored in the learner management database.

[0060] <Modifications> This embodiment does not exclude the following: (1) the string is in a local language (dialect) and the audio is in standard Japanese (the Japanese language); (2) the instructor input process (S1) is executed after the unit input process (S2); and (3) the characteristic words are individual words. In these cases, the structure of the instructor database is also modified as appropriate.

[0061] <Effects of this embodiment> As described above, the string is represented in standard Japanese (the national language of Japan), and the sound is represented in a regional language (such as Hokkaido dialect or Niigata dialect). Therefore, outputting one of the regional languages ​​(Hokkaido dialect) will attract the learner's interest. This learner will then want to hear the other regional language (Niigata dialect). Even if both regional languages ​​are output, the strings are both in standard Japanese (the national language of Japan). In this case, the same string is output only twice. In other words, the same learning unit is learned repeatedly.

[0062] In the initial learning session, the text or audio is always in the local language. In other words, learners are guaranteed to hear the local language. This is highly likely to capture the learners' interest.

[0063] After the initial learning session, once a teacher avatar is selected, other teacher avatars cannot be selected until all units associated with that avatar have been output. This forces learners to study all units, ensuring that all learning units are studied with high accuracy. [Industrial applicability]

[0064] The fields in which this invention is useful are various educational businesses (for example, corporate auditing, financial accounting, information management, environmental issues, quality control, health awareness, etc.).

Claims

1. An electronic learning system (excluding language learning), It consists of at least the following: Input: The information entered into the terminal device is that of the instructor. The instructor is selected by the learner from a list of available instructor avatars. The selection of a particular instructor avatar is restricted after the initial learning session. You cannot select any other instructor avatar until all the units associated with the initially selected instructor avatar have been output. and, Output: The output to the terminal device in parallel consists of at least text and audio, and, The string and audio in question are associated with the entered instructor, and, The string in question is expressed in a common language, and, The words that describe the sound are characteristic words, The characteristic word is associated with the instructor avatar selected by the learner.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the number of candidate instructors is two or more.

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