Learning assistance system and learning assistance method

Abstract

An achievement database (DB1) stores achievement information pertaining to children's learning. An achievement information transmission unit (11) reads out the achievement information stored in the achievement database (DB1) and transmits the achievement information (INF1) that has been read out. A detection unit (12) detects, on the basis of the achievement information (INF1), a child who is suspected of having a learning disability, and transmits a detection result (D1). A determination unit (13) transmits a determination result (D2) that is a result of determination which is on the reasonableness of the suspicion of the learning disability of the child and which is made by an expert on the basis of the detection result (D1). An examination guidance transmission unit (14) transmits, in accordance with the determination result (D2), examination guidance (EX) for urging an examination regarding the suspicion of the learning disability of the child. An agent of the child receives the determination result (D2) and the examination guidance (EX) through the communication unit (16).

Description

Learning support system and learning support method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a learning support system and a learning support method.

[0002] Learning disabilities are known as disorders that cause difficulties with abilities such as listening, speaking, reading, writing, and calculation / reasoning. Learning disabilities have a not-insignificant prevalence of approximately 4.5%, making early intervention desirable. However, determining whether a child has a learning disability is difficult, and the need for support is often not recognized. While several examples of learning disability symptoms have been published, they require long-term observation, e.g., six months, and the criteria for assessing the symptoms are difficult to establish, making them difficult for teachers at home or in school to detect. Therefore, pediatricians and other specialists need to intervene in individual cases (Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] As a method for detecting learning disabilities, for example, a calculation test that can be used to determine whether a child has a mathematical disability has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

[0004] As a method for supporting the education of children with learning disabilities, a method has been proposed that supports teachers in creating educational plans by referring to the child's grades and assessment results (Patent Document 2).In addition, a method has been proposed for easily and efficiently conducting tests to determine dysgraphia, which are generally conducted by doctors (Patent Document 3).

[0005] JP 2019-185036 A JP 2010-146560 A JP 2020-113278 A

[0006] e-HealthNet, "Learning Disabilities (Specific Learning Disorders)," Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Internet, accessed September 13, 2022, <URL https: / / www.e-healthnet.mhlw.go.jp / information / heart / k-03-004.html

[0007] However, without the knowledge of a doctor, it is generally difficult to properly detect learning disabilities and to determine how to effectively support children with learning disabilities. On the other hand, requiring a child to see a doctor each time in order to accurately detect a child with a learning disability hinders early detection.

[0008] Even if the above-mentioned methods are applied to such problems, they do not reflect the knowledge of doctors, and therefore there are problems with the accuracy of detecting learning disabilities and the appropriateness and efficiency of methods to support children with learning disabilities.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a learning support system and a learning support method that can detect suspected learning disabilities in children by reflecting the knowledge of a doctor without the need for a medical examination.

[0010] A learning support system that is one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a first performance database in which a child's learning performance information is stored; a performance information transmission unit that reads the performance information stored in the first performance database and transmits the read performance information; a detection unit that detects a child suspected of having a learning disability based on the performance information transmitted from the performance information transmission unit and transmits the detection results; a judgment unit that transmits an expert's judgment result based on the detection results regarding the validity of the child's suspicion of a learning disability; an examination guide transmission unit that transmits an examination guide to encourage the child to undergo an examination for the suspected learning disability in accordance with the judgment results; and a communication unit that enables a representative of the child suspected of having a learning disability to receive the judgment results and the examination guide.

[0011] A learning support method that is one aspect of the present disclosure reads out a child's learning performance information stored in a performance database, transmits the read-out performance information, detects children suspected of having a learning disability based on the transmitted performance information, transmits the detection results, transmits an expert's judgment based on the detection results regarding the validity of the child's suspicion of a learning disability, transmits an examination guide to encourage the child to undergo an examination for the suspected learning disability based on the judgment results, and a representative of the child suspected of having a learning disability receives the judgment results and the examination guide.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, a learning support system and a learning support method can be provided that can detect suspected learning disabilities in children by reflecting a doctor's knowledge without the need for a medical examination.

[0013] 1 is a diagram schematically showing entities included in a support system for children with learning disabilities according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a functional configuration provided in the learning support system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a learning support operation in the learning support system of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a learning support operation in the learning support system 100 of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a learning support system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a first converted example of the learning support system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a learning support system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a first converted example of the learning support system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a learning support system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a first converted example of the learning support system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a learning support system according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a first conversion example of a learning support system according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a learning support system according to a fifth embodiment. Fig. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a learning support system according to a sixth embodiment. Fig. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a computer, which is an example of a hardware configuration for realizing a terminal device.

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted as necessary.

[0015] Embodiment 1 A support system for children with learning disabilities according to embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 1 schematically shows the entities included in the support system for children with learning disabilities 100 according to embodiment 1. The support system for children with learning disabilities 100 is configured so that four entities, namely, a family 1, an educational institution 2, a medical institution 3, and a service provider 4, exchange information with one another. In this example, the family 1, the educational institution 2, the medical institution 3, and the service provider 4 each have terminal devices T1 to T4, such as personal computers, for information processing, input and output of information, and information communication.

[0016] The home 1, educational institution 2, medical institution 3, and service provider 4, i.e., the terminal device, are capable of two-way communication using various wireless and wired communication means. Here, only the communication paths necessary for understanding the support system for children with learning disabilities 100 are shown, but the communication paths are not limited to those described here and shown in the diagram.

[0017] Family 1 refers not only to a typical family consisting of parents and children, but also to a family consisting of children and guardians other than parents or designated representatives, and various environments in which children live, such as child welfare institutions. Hereinafter, parents, guardians other than parents, designated representatives, etc. in family 1 will be collectively referred to as representatives.

[0018] The educational institution 2 includes schools in various locations where children receive education, such as elementary schools.

[0019] Medical institution 3 refers to various institutions such as clinics, hospitals, and developmental medical research institutes that can diagnose whether a child has a learning disability based on various information. Medical institution 3 here does not necessarily refer to a single medical institution, but may also refer to a collaboration of multiple medical institutions.

[0020] The service provider 4 is an organization that detects children suspected of having learning disabilities based on the information provided by the educational institution 2 and notifies the medical institution 3 of the detection results. Here, the service provider 4 may be a private organization or a public organization.

[0021] The support system for children with learning disabilities 100 is provided with components having various functions to detect children suspected of having learning disabilities from among children receiving education at educational institution 2 and to take necessary measures depending on the detection results. Fig. 2 schematically shows the functional configuration provided in the learning support system 100 according to the first embodiment. The learning support system 100 is provided with at least a grade information transmission unit 11, a detection unit 12, a determination unit 13, a test guidance transmission unit 14, and a communication unit 16 as its functional configuration.

[0022] Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of the learning assistance operation in the learning assistance system 100 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows a sequence diagram of the learning assistance operation in the learning assistance system 100 of Fig. 2.

[0023] In this embodiment, these components are arranged in a home 1, an educational institution 2, a medical institution 3, and a service provider 4. Fig. 5 schematically shows the configuration of a learning support system 100 according to the first embodiment. In the learning support system 100, an information receiving unit 7 is provided in the home 1. A grade information transmitting unit 11 and an information transferring unit 15 are provided in the educational institution 2. A detection unit 12 is provided in the medical institution 3. A determination unit 13 and a test guidance transmitting unit 14 are provided in the service provider 4.

[0024] The educational institution 2 has a grade database DB1 that stores information indicating the grades of each child. The grade information transmitter 11 of the educational institution 2 reads information INF1 indicating the grades of each child from the grade database DB1 (step S1 in FIGS. 3 and 4), and transmits it to the service provider 4 (step S2 in FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0025] It is desirable that the grade information INF1 be configured to be able to detect suspected learning disabilities in children, and be classified and organized, for example, by subject or by unit within each subject, with information indicating grades attached to each classified item.

[0026] Furthermore, the grade information INF1 includes identification information for identifying each child, but if it is acceptable for the child to be identified, the identification information may be information such as the child's name. Furthermore, if it is required to keep personal information confidential from those outside the educational institution 2, the identification information may be information that makes it impossible to identify the child, such as a child ID. In this case, by having the educational institution 2 retain information indicating the correspondence between the child and the child ID, the educational institution 2 can determine which child the information sent from the medical institution 3 is intended for, as will be described later.

[0027] The detection unit 12 of the service provider 4 references the received grade information INF1 and detects children suspected of having learning disabilities based on predetermined rules. The detection unit 12 then transmits the detection result of children suspected of having learning disabilities as a detection result D1 to the medical institution 3 (step S3 in FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0028] At the medical institution 3, the judgment unit 13 displays the detection result D1 for the child suspected of having a learning disability. A medical professional at the medical institution 3, such as a doctor, refers to the detection result D1 displayed on the judgment unit 13 and judges whether the detection result D1, which indicates that the subject child is suspected of having a learning disability, is valid. In the following description, it is assumed that the professional at the medical institution 3 who judges the validity of the detection result D1 is a doctor. The doctor operates the judgment unit 13 to input the judgment result D2, and the judgment result D2 is sent to the educational institution 2 (step S4 in FIGS. 3 and 4 ).

[0029] Furthermore, if the doctor determines that the detection result D1 is valid, he or she operates the examination guidance sending unit 14, which then causes the examination guidance sending unit 14 to send not only the judgment result D2 but also an examination guidance EX to the educational institution 2 to encourage testing for suspected learning disabilities (step S5 in Figures 3 and 4).

[0030] The information transfer unit 15 of the educational institution 2 receives the assessment result D2 and the test guide EX. This allows, for example, a teacher in charge of the target child's education at the educational institution 2 to recognize that the target child is suspected of having a learning disability. The information transfer unit 15 also transfers the assessment result D2 and the test guide EX to the home 1 (steps S4 and S5 in FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0031] At home 1, the proxy can recognize from the transferred assessment result D2 that the child is suspected of having a learning disability. The proxy can also receive an examination guide EX encouraging the child to undergo more detailed testing to determine whether or not the child has a learning disability. In response to the examination guide EX, the proxy can take various measures, such as taking the child to a specialized hospital.

[0032] As described above, with this configuration, by utilizing the grade information accumulated in the educational institution 2, it is possible to determine whether a child is suspected of having a learning disability, without the need for a medical examination by a doctor, with a doctor involved in the judgment process. Then, by notifying the educational institution and the family of the results of the judgment, teachers and representatives can quickly recognize that the child is suspected of having a learning disability, and can take appropriate measures such as follow-up observation or consultation with a specialist at an early stage.

[0033] In the configuration of Fig. 3, the examination guide EX is described as being sent from the medical institution 3, but the method of sending the examination guide EX is not limited to this. Fig. 6 schematically shows the configuration of a learning support system 101, which is a first converted example of the learning support system 100 according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 6, the examination guide sending unit 14 is provided in the service provider 4 rather than in the medical institution 3, and the medical institution 3 sends the determination result D2 to the service provider 4. The examination guide sending unit 14 sends the examination guide EX to the educational institution 2 in accordance with the determination result D2.

[0034] In this configuration, as in the learning support system 100, the determination result D2 and the test guide EX can be transmitted to the home 1 and the educational institution 2. Even in this case, it is expected that there may be cases where it is better for the educational institution 2 to be aware of the result, so it is desirable that the determination result D2 be transmitted from the service provider 4 to the educational institution 2.

[0035] Furthermore, although not shown, the learning support system 101 may transmit the determination result D2 and the test guide EX to the communication unit 16 of the home 1 without going through the educational institution 2.

[0036] Furthermore, the family 1 may provide the educational institution 2 or the service provider 4 with performance information INF2 indicating the child's learning results from home study. FIG. 7 schematically shows the configuration of a learning support system 102, which is a second converted example of the learning support system 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, the family 1 transmits performance information INF2 of home study at the family 1 to the educational institution 2 via a path P1. The educational institution 2 may incorporate the performance information INF2 into performance information INF1 and transmit the information to the service provider 4. This enables the detection unit 12 of the service provider 4 to detect a suspected learning disability in the child based on the performance information INF1, which includes more information.

[0037] Although not shown, the grade information INF2 may be transmitted from the educational institution 2 to the service provider 4 together with the grade information INF1 without being incorporated into the grade information INF1. Even in this case, the service provider 4 can detect children suspected of having a learning disability based on a larger amount of grade information.

[0038] Although not shown, the household 1 may also transmit the performance information INF2 to the service provider 4 via a path P2. In this case, the service provider 4 can still detect children suspected of having a learning disability based on more performance information.

[0039] Furthermore, the determination result D2 and the test guide EX may be transmitted from the educational institution 2 to the family 1 without going through another party. FIG. 8 schematically shows the configuration of a learning support system 103, which is a second converted example of the learning support system 100 according to the first embodiment. In this example, if necessary, the family 1 can receive the determination result D2 and the test guide EX directly from a doctor, for example, without going through the educational institution 2. In this case, the privacy of the child of the family 1 can be kept confidential even from the educational institution 2. Note that even in this case, it is expected that there may be cases where it is better for the educational institution 2 to be aware of the determination result D2, so it is desirable for the medical institution 3 to transmit the determination result D2 to the educational institution 2.

[0040] It is also desirable that it be possible to appropriately select whether to include the educational institution 2 in the transmission path of the determination result D2 and the test guide EX. For example, an agent of the household 1 can send a command to select the transmission path of the determination result D2 and the test guide EX to the service provider 4 via the communication unit 16. The service provider 4 forwards the received selection command to the medical institution 3, allowing the doctor to switch whether or not to transmit the determination result D2 and the test guide EX to the household 1.

[0041] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the determination result D2 and the test guide EX are transmitted to the home 1 or the educational institution 2. In contrast, the learning support system according to the second embodiment is further configured to be able to transmit support information for supporting the learning of a child suspected of having a learning disability.

[0042] 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a learning assistance system 200 according to the second embodiment. The learning assistance system 200 has a configuration in which a support information transmitting unit 17 is added to the learning assistance system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0043] In this configuration, the support information transmission unit 17 is provided in the medical institution 3. The medical institution 3 also has a support information database DB2 that stores support information to be provided to children with learning disabilities. If the doctor determines that the detection result D1 is appropriate, the doctor refers to not only the determination result D2 but also support information that the doctor has determined to be necessary from the support information database DB2, and transmits information to support instruction for children with learning disabilities and information to be used for follow-up observation to the educational institution 2 as support information INF3.

[0044] At the educational institution 2, the information transfer unit 15 receives the support information INF3. As a result, teachers can refer to the support information INF3 and utilize the support information INF3 provided by the medical institution 3 to provide learning guidance and follow-up observation to children suspected of having learning disabilities.

[0045] The other configurations and operations of the learning assistance system 200 are the same as those of the learning assistance system 100, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0046] The support information INF3 may also be forwarded to the home 1. Fig. 10 schematically shows the configuration of a learning support system 201, which is a first converted example of the learning support system 200 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10 , the support information INF3 is not limited to being used only by the educational institution 2, and the information forwarding unit 15 may forward part or all of the support information INF3 to the home 1. This allows the agent of a child suspected of having a learning disability to use the provided support information INF3 for providing learning guidance to the child and monitoring their progress.

[0047] It goes without saying that not only in the learning assistance system 100 but also in each of the converted examples of the learning assistance system described in embodiment 1, the medical institution 3 may be provided with a support information transmission unit 17 and a support information database DB2, as in the learning assistance system according to this embodiment. In this case, in each configuration, support information INF3 can be transmitted from the medical institution 3 to the educational institution 2 or the home 1, as in the learning assistance system 200.

[0048] In the second embodiment, a configuration was described in which the support information transmission unit 17 and the support information database DB2 are provided in the medical institution 3. In contrast, in the present embodiment, a learning support system will be described in which the support information acquisition unit and the support information database are provided in the educational institution 2.

[0049] 11 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a learning assistance system 300 according to the third embodiment. The learning assistance system 300 has a configuration in which a support information acquisition unit 18 and a support information database DB2 are added to the learning assistance system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0050] In this configuration, the support information acquisition unit 18 and the support information database DB2 are provided in the educational institution 2. The support information acquisition unit 18 refers to support information determined to be necessary from the support information database DB2 according to the determination result D2, and acquires support information INF3 necessary for providing information and conducting follow-up observations to support instruction for children with learning disabilities. As a result, teachers can refer to the support information INF3 and use it to provide learning instruction and conduct follow-up observations for children suspected of having learning disabilities, just as in the second embodiment.

[0051] The other configurations and operations of the learning assistance system 300 are the same as those of the learning assistance system 100, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] Furthermore, as in the second embodiment, the support information INF3 may be forwarded to the home 1. Fig. 12 schematically shows the configuration of a learning support system 301, which is a first converted example of the learning support system 300 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 12, the support information INF3 need not only be used by the educational institution 2, but the information forwarding unit 15 may also forward part or all of the support information INF3 to the home 1. This allows the agent of a child suspected of having a learning disability to use the provided support information INF3 for providing learning guidance to the child and monitoring their progress.

[0053] It goes without saying that not only in the learning assistance system 100 but also in each of the converted examples of the learning assistance system described in the first embodiment, the educational institution 2 may be provided with a support information acquisition unit 18 and a support information database DB2, as in the learning assistance system according to this embodiment. In this case, in each configuration, the educational institution 2 can acquire support information INF3 and transmit the support information INF3 to the home 1, as in the learning assistance system 300.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, a doctor determines the validity of a child suspected of having a learning disability based on grade information obtainable through normal educational activities at school. In contrast, in this embodiment, a doctor screens children to determine whether they are suspected of having a learning disability, and the doctor further uses the screening results to determine whether the child is suspected of having a learning disability.

[0055] 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a learning assistance system 400 according to the fourth embodiment. In the learning assistance system 400, compared to the learning assistance system 100 according to the first embodiment, a screening (hereinafter also referred to as SC) information collection unit 19 is added to the educational institution 2.

[0056] The learning support system 400 performs screening on children to detect suspected learning disabilities. In this configuration, the educational institution 2 periodically or as needed collects information necessary for screening to detect suspected learning disabilities. Examples of screening performed on children include reading disorder screening, which detects reading disorders from data on reading aloud in class. Examples of screening tests performed on children include tests to detect reading disorders (dyslexia), writing expression disorders (dysgraphia), and dyscalculia. Note that the screening methods listed here are merely examples, and various other screening methods may also be applied.

[0057] These various screening methods can be used periodically as part of school tests while a child is in school, for example, in elementary school, during the three years from first to third grade before the four core subjects of science and social studies begin.

[0058] The screening information collection unit 19 is configured to be able to transmit screening information INF4 collected by various screening methods to the medical institution 3. The medical institution 3 stores the received screening information INF4 in a screening information database DB3.

[0059] The screening processing unit 20 of the medical institution 3 reads the screening information stored in the screening information database DB3 and calculates a learning disability score indicating a suspected learning disability for each child whose information is stored in the screening information database DB3.

[0060] The doctor transmits the judgment result D2 and the examination guide EX by the judgment unit 13 according to the judgment result D2 and the learning disability score for each child.

[0061] As described above, with this configuration, doctors at medical institutions 3 can use not only the detection results D1 based on the academic performance information from educational institutions 2, but also the screening results suitable for detecting whether a child is suspected of having a learning disability. This allows doctors to determine whether a child is suspected of having a learning disability based on more information, and more accurate determinations can be expected.

[0062] Other configurations and operations of the learning assistance system 300 are similar to those of the learning assistance systems 100 and 200, and therefore will not be described further.

[0063] The screening information can also be collected at home 1. Fig. 14 schematically shows the configuration of a learning assistance system 401, which is a first converted example of the learning assistance system 400 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0064] In this configuration, information necessary for screening to detect suspected learning disabilities is collected at home 1 periodically or as needed. For example, data on a child's reading aloud, which is information that can be easily collected at home 1, is collected at home 1 to be used for screening for reading disabilities. Furthermore, as needed, results of screening tests to detect reading disabilities (dyslexia), written expression disabilities (dysgraphia), arithmetic disabilities (dyscalculia), etc. are collected. Note that the screening methods listed here are merely examples, and various other screening methods may also be applied. The collected screening information is transmitted to medical institution 3 by a screening information collection unit 21 provided at home 1.

[0065] Another example of screening information specific to household 1 is a questionnaire for parents to obtain their impressions on the presence or absence and degree of learning disabilities in their children. The collected questionnaire results are sent to medical institution 3 by a screening information collection unit 21 provided in household 1.

[0066] Screening information INF5 collected by the screening information collection unit 21 in the home 1 using various screening methods is transmitted to the medical institution 3 and stored in a screening information database DB3 provided in the medical institution 3.

[0067] The screening processing unit 20 of the medical institution 3 reads the screening information stored in the screening information database DB3 and calculates a learning disability score indicating a suspected learning disability for each child whose information is stored in the screening information database DB3.

[0068] As a result, with this configuration, compared to the learning support system 400, doctors can use the screening information collected at home 1 to determine whether or not a child is suspected of having a learning disability based on more information.

[0069] The configuration of this embodiment may also be applied to the conversion example of the learning support system described in embodiment 1 and the conversion examples of the learning support system and the conversion examples thereof described in embodiments 2 and 3. That is, in these cases, the educational institution 2 may be provided with a screening information collection unit 19, and the medical institution 3 may be provided with a screening processing unit 20 and a screening information database DB3, and similar operations may be performed. Furthermore, the home 1 may be provided with a screening information collection unit 21, and similar operations may be performed. In this case, in each configuration, the screening results can be reflected in determining whether or not a child is suspected of having a learning disability, just as in the learning support system 400.

[0070] Embodiment 5 The learning support system of embodiment 5 is a modified version of the learning support system 401 of embodiment 4, and describes a configuration in which medical institutions 3 include not only general medical institutions such as clinics, hospitals, and clinics, but also developmental medical research institutions that specialize in research into learning disabilities.

[0071] Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a learning support system 500 according to the fifth embodiment. In the learning support system 500, the medical institution 3 is a collaboration between a hospital 3A and a developmental medical research institute 3B. For convenience, the hospital 3A and the developmental medical research institute 3B are lumped together as the medical institution 3 in Fig. 15, but the hospital 3A and the developmental medical research institute 3B may each be separate medical institutions.

[0072] Similar to the medical institution 3 in the learning support system 401, the hospital 3A has a determination unit 13, a test guidance transmission unit 14, a screening processing unit 20, and a screening information database DB3. Therefore, the hospital 3A has at least the same functions as the medical institution 3 in the learning support system 401.

[0073] Child Development Medical Research Institute 3B is a medical institution staffed by doctors and researchers who specialize in the study of childhood learning disabilities, and has more advanced knowledge about childhood learning disabilities than general medical institutions such as clinics and hospitals.

[0074] The developmental health research institution 3B has an evaluation unit 22, a screening information database DB4, and a grade database DB5. The developmental health research institution 3B collects grade information INF1 and screening information INF4 from the educational institution 2, and collects screening information INF5 from the home 1. The grade information INF1 is stored in the grade database DB5, and the screening information INF4 and INF5 are stored in the screening information database DB4.

[0075] If necessary, doctors at the developmental medical research institution 3B can refer to the screening information database DB4 and the performance database DB5 to use the desired data in research on detecting learning disabilities or to detect children suspected of having learning disabilities.

[0076] The doctor at hospital 3A uses detection result D1 and learning disability score to determine whether the suspicion of a child having a learning disability is valid, but it is conceivable that an appropriate determination cannot be made using this information alone. Therefore, in this configuration, the doctor at hospital 3A sends a request REQ to evaluation unit 22 to seek advice on the determination from a doctor at child development medical research institution 3B.

[0077] The request REQ includes at least the identification information of the target child, which enables the evaluation unit 22 to read the necessary information from the screening information database DB4 and the performance database DB5 to evaluate the target child's suspected learning disability and calculate a learning disability score.

[0078] The request REQ may include the identification information of the target child, the detection result D1, and the learning disability score calculated by the screening processing unit 20 of the hospital 3A. In this case, the evaluation unit 22 may calculate its own learning disability score from the detection result D1 and the learning disability score included in the request REQ and the data read from the screening information database DB4 and the performance database DB5.

[0079] The evaluation unit 22 transmits the finding information INF6, which includes the calculated learning disability score, to the hospital 3A. A doctor at the hospital 3A can refer to the finding information INF6 in addition to the detection result D1 and the learning disability score calculated by the screening processing unit 20 to determine whether the suspicion of the child having a learning disability is valid.

[0080] As described above, with this configuration, the medical institution 3 can reflect the knowledge of the developmental medical research institution 3B, which has advanced specialized knowledge about learning disabilities, in determining whether or not the suspicion of a child having a learning disability is valid, thereby enabling the medical institution 3 to determine with greater accuracy whether or not the suspicion of a child having a learning disability is valid.

[0081] In addition to the learning support system 401, the configuration according to this embodiment may be applied to the learning support system and various conversion examples described in embodiment 4. That is, in these systems, a hospital 3A and a developmental medical research institute 3B may be provided as medical institutions 3, and the same operations as those of the learning support system 500 may be performed.

[0082] As in the second embodiment, when the support information transmission unit 17 and the support information database DB2 are provided, they may be provided at the developmental health research institution 3B. In this case, better support information can be stored in the support information database DB2 based on the advanced knowledge of the developmental health research institution 3B, making it possible to provide higher quality support information to the family 1 and the educational institution 2. Alternatively, the support information transmission unit 17 may be provided at the hospital 3A, and the support information database DB2 may be provided at the developmental health research institution 3B. In this case, by having the support information transmission unit 17 access the support information database DB2 as appropriate, it is possible to similarly provide higher quality support information to the family 1 and the educational institution 2.

[0083] Sixth Embodiment In this embodiment, the function of the communication unit 16 in the home 1 will be described. Fig. 16 schematically shows the configuration of a learning support system 600 according to the sixth embodiment. The communication unit 16 can transmit a command INS to the detection unit 12 of the service provider 4 to control the operation.

[0084] The command INS can be used to instruct the detection unit 12, for example, whether or not to anonymize the identification information of each child. As described above, the grade information INF1 includes identification information for identifying each child, but there are cases where information that can identify each child, such as a name, is provided to the detection unit 12 as identification information. When confidentiality of personal information is required from outside the educational institution 2, it is undesirable to use a name as identification information, so the detection unit 12 replaces the child's name with information that cannot identify the child, such as a child ID. As a result, it becomes impossible to identify the child from the identification information included in the detection result D1, and the information can be anonymized.

[0085] Furthermore, when the detection unit 12 performs anonymization in response to the command INS, the educational institution 2 can determine which child the judgment result D2 and examination guide EX belong to by sending correspondence information INF7 indicating the correspondence between the child's name and child ID to the educational institution 2, for example.

[0086] Furthermore, the command INS can instruct the detection unit 12, for example, whether or not to allow each child to be detected for a learning disability. This is because it is conceivable that some representatives of the household 1 do not want to detect suspected learning disabilities. The detection unit 12 will detect only children who are permitted by the command INS as suspected of having a learning disability. This makes it possible to detect learning disabilities according to needs.

[0087] Needless to say, the command INS for anonymization and permission to detect learning disabilities can be applied to the learning support system according to the above-described embodiment and various conversion examples.

[0088] Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the detection of children with learning disabilities using screening information as described in embodiments 4 and 5 can be performed independently of the detection of children with learning disabilities using achievement information as described in embodiments 1 to 3. In other words, the detection of children with learning disabilities using screening information as described in embodiments 4 and 5 can be performed independently.

[0089] Although the terminal devices T1 to T4 have been described as being personal computers, they may be various types of computers including the terminal devices T1 to T4.

[0090] FIG. 17 shows a schematic diagram of a computer 1000, which is an example of a hardware configuration for implementing terminal devices T1 to T4. Computer 1000 may be implemented as a dedicated computer, a personal computer (PC), or any other type of computer. However, the computer does not need to be physically a single computer; multiple computers may be used when performing distributed processing. As shown in FIG. 17, computer 1000 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1003, all of which are interconnected via a bus 1004. While a description of the operating system (OS) software required to operate the computer is omitted, it is assumed that the computer also includes such software.

[0091] An input / output interface 1005 is connected to the bus 1004. To the input / output interface 1005, an input unit 1006, an output unit 1007, a communication unit 1008, and a storage unit 1009 are connected.

[0092] The input unit 1006 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a sensor, etc. The output unit 1007 is composed of, for example, a display device such as an LCD, and an audio output device such as headphones and speakers, etc. The communication unit 1008 is composed of, for example, a router, a terminal adapter, etc. The storage unit 1009 is composed of a storage device such as a hard disk, a flash memory, etc.

[0093] The CPU 1001 can perform various processes in accordance with various programs stored in the ROM 1002 or various programs loaded from the storage unit 1009 to the RAM 1003. In this embodiment, the CPU 1001 executes processes performed by, for example, the terminal devices T1 to T4. A graphics processing unit (GPU) may be provided separately from the CPU 1001, and, like the CPU 1001, executes various processes in accordance with various programs stored in the ROM 1002 or various programs loaded from the storage unit 1009 to the RAM 1003. In this embodiment, the GPU executes various processes, for example, the processes performed by the terminal devices T1 to T4. Note that the GPU is suitable for performing routine processes in parallel, and by applying it to neural network processing, etc., as described below, it is possible to improve processing speed compared to the CPU 1001. The RAM 1003 also stores data necessary for the CPU 1001 and the GPU to execute various processes.

[0094] The communication unit 1008 is capable of two-way communication with the server 1030 via the network 1020. The communication unit 1008 can transmit data provided by the CPU 1001 to the server 1030, and output data received from the server 1030 to the CPU 1001, RAM 1003, storage unit 1009, etc. The communication unit 1008 may communicate with other devices using analog signals or digital signals. The storage unit 1009 is capable of exchanging data with the CPU 1001, and stores and erases information.

[0095] A drive 1010 may be connected to the input / output interface 1005 as needed. Storage media such as a magnetic disk 1011, an optical disk 1012, a flexible disk 1013, or a semiconductor memory 1014 may be appropriately mounted in the drive 1010. Computer programs read from each storage medium may be installed in the storage unit 1009 as needed. Furthermore, data required for the CPU 1001 to execute various processes, data obtained as a result of the processes of the CPU 1001, and the like may be stored in each storage medium as needed.

[0096] For example, the processes performed by the learning support system according to the above-described embodiment may be realized by having the terminal devices T1 to T4 execute a program. Specifically, one or more programs containing instructions for causing a computer system to execute the algorithms related to the transmission signal processing or reception signal processing may be created, and the programs may be supplied to the terminal devices T1 to T4.

[0097] These programs can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)). The programs may also be supplied to a computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer-readable media can supply the programs to a computer via wired communication paths such as electric wires and optical fibers, or via wireless communication paths.

[0098] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0099] (Supplementary Note 1) A learning support system comprising: a first performance database in which a child's learning performance information is stored; a performance information transmission unit that reads out the performance information stored in the first performance database and transmits the read-out performance information; a detection unit that detects children suspected of having a learning disability based on the performance information transmitted from the performance information transmission unit and transmits the detection results; a judgment unit that transmits an expert's judgment based on the detection results regarding the validity of the child's suspicion of a learning disability; an examination guide transmission unit that transmits an examination guide to encourage the child to undergo an examination for the suspected learning disability in accordance with the judgment results; and a communication unit that enables a representative of the child suspected of having a learning disability to receive the judgment results and the examination guide.

[0100] (Supplementary Note 2) The learning support system described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein the judgment result and the test guidance are transmitted to the communication unit.

[0101] (Appendix 3) A learning support system as described in Appendix 1, further comprising an information transfer unit that transfers received information, wherein the judgment result and the test instructions are sent to the information transfer unit, and the information transfer unit transfers the received judgment result and the test instructions to the communication unit.

[0102] (Appendix 4) The learning support system described in Appendix 1 further comprises a support information database storing support information for supporting the learning of children suspected of having learning disabilities, and a support information transmission unit that reads support information from the support information database and transmits the read support information in accordance with the detection result.

[0103] (Appendix 5) A learning support system as described in Appendix 4, comprising an information transfer unit that transfers received information, wherein the judgment result, the test guide, and the support information are sent to the information transfer unit, and the information transfer unit transfers the received judgment result, the test guide, and the support information to the communication unit.

[0104] (Appendix 6) The learning support system described in Appendix 5 further includes a support information acquisition unit that reads support information from the support information database in accordance with the detection result and transmits the read support information to the communication unit, and the information transfer unit transmits the support information read by the support information acquisition unit to the communication unit.

[0105] (Supplementary Note 7) The learning support system described in Supplementary Note 4, wherein the judgment result, the test guidance, and the support information are transmitted to the communication unit.

[0106] (Appendix 8) A learning support system as described in Appendix 1 or 2, further comprising a screening information sending unit that sends first screening information indicating the results of screening conducted to detect suspected learning disabilities in the child, a first screening information database that stores the first screening information, and a screening processing unit that calculates a first score that indicates the degree of learning disability in the child based on the screening information read from the first screening information database, wherein the judgment unit sends the judgment result based on the detection result and the first score.

[0107] (Appendix 9) The learning support system described in Appendix 8 further comprises a second screening information sending unit that sends second screening information to the judgment unit indicating the results of a screening conducted separately from the screening conducted to obtain the first screening information in order to detect suspected learning disabilities in the child, and the second screening information is further stored in the first screening information database.

[0108] (Supplementary Note 10) A learning support system as described in Supplementary Note 9, comprising: a second screening information database that stores the first screening information and the second screening information; a second grade database that stores grade information transferred from the first grade database; and an evaluation unit that calculates a second score indicating the degree of a child's learning disability based on the grade information read from the second screening information database and the grade information read from the second grade database, wherein the judgment unit requests the evaluation unit for the second score that indicates whether the child to be judged is suspected of having a learning disability, the evaluation unit calculates the second score in response to the request from the judgment unit and sends it to the judgment unit, and the judgment unit sends the judgment result based on the detection result and the second score.

[0109] (Appendix 11) A learning support system described in any one of Appendices 1 to 10, wherein the communication unit sends an instruction to the detection unit as to whether or not to use information that can identify the child for the information to identify the child in the detection result, and the detection unit uses information that can identify the child or information that cannot identify the child as the information to identify the child in accordance with the instruction.

[0110] (Appendix 12) A learning support system described in any one of Appendices 1 to 11, wherein the communication unit sends an instruction to the detection unit as to whether or not the detection unit should allow the agent to use the grade information of the child concerned, and the detection unit detects suspicion of a learning disability based on the grade information of the child who has been allowed only if permission is granted by the instruction.

[0111] (Appendix 13) A learning support method comprising: reading out a child's learning performance information stored in a performance database; transmitting the read-out performance information; detecting a child suspected of having a learning disability based on the transmitted performance information; transmitting the detection results; transmitting an expert's assessment based on the detection results regarding the validity of the child's suspicion of a learning disability; transmitting a test invitation to encourage the child to undergo testing for the suspected learning disability in accordance with the assessment results; and a representative of the child suspected of having a learning disability receiving the assessment results and the test invitation.

[0112] 1 Home 2 Educational institution 3 Medical institution 3A Hospital 3B Child development medical research institution 4 Service provider 11 Performance information transmission unit 12 Detection unit 13 Judgment unit 14 Test guide transmission unit 15 Information transfer unit 16 Communication unit 17 Support information transmission unit 18 Support information acquisition unit 19, 21 Screening information collection unit 20 Screening processing unit 22 Evaluation unit 100-103, 200, 201, 300, 301, 400, 401, 500, 600 Learning support system 1001 CPU 1002 ROM 1003 RAM 1004 Bus 1005 Input / output interface 1006 Input unit 1007 Output unit 1008 Communication unit 1009 Memory unit 1010 Drive 1011 Magnetic disk 1012 Optical disk 1013 Flexible disk 1014 Semiconductor memory 1020 Network 1030 Server 1000 Computer D1 Detection result D2 Determination result DB1 Results database DB2 Support information database DB3, DB4 Screening information database DB5 Results database EX Examination guide INF1, INF2 Results information INF3 Support information INF4, INF5 Screening information INF6 Finding information INF7 Response information INS Instruction

Claims

1. A first performance database in which student learning performance information is stored; a grade information transmitting unit that reads out the grade information stored in the first grade database and transmits the read grade information; a detection unit that detects children suspected of having a learning disability based on the grade information transmitted from the grade information transmission unit and transmits the detection result; A judgment unit that transmits a judgment result by an expert based on the detection result regarding the validity of the suspicion of the child having a learning disability; A test invitation sending unit that sends a test invitation to encourage the child to be tested for a suspected learning disability according to the judgment result; A communication unit for a representative of the child suspected of having a learning disability to receive the assessment result and the test guide. Learning support system.

2. The determination result and the examination guide are transmitted to the communication unit. The learning support system according to claim 1 .

3. Further comprising an information transfer unit that transfers the received information, The determination result and the examination guidance are transmitted to the information transfer unit, The information transfer unit transfers the received determination result and the examination guide to the communication unit. The learning support system according to claim 1 .

4. A support information database storing support information for supporting the learning of children suspected of having a learning disability; and a support information transmission unit that reads support information from the support information database in response to the detection result and transmits the read support information. The learning support system according to claim 1 .

5. An information transfer unit that transfers the received information, The determination result, the examination guidance, and the support information are transmitted to the information transfer unit, The information transfer unit transfers the received determination result, the examination guide, and the support information to the communication unit. The learning support system according to claim 4.

6. a support information acquisition unit that reads support information from the support information database in response to the detection result and transmits the read support information to the communication unit; The information transfer unit transmits the support information read by the support information acquisition unit to the communication unit. The learning support system according to claim 5 .

7. The determination result, the examination guidance, and the support information are transmitted to the communication unit. The learning support system according to claim 4.

8. a screening information sending unit that sends first screening information indicating a result of screening performed to detect a suspected learning disability of the child; a first screening information database that stores the first screening information; A screening processing unit that calculates a first score indicating a degree of the learning disability of the child based on the screening information read from the first screening information database, The determination unit transmits the determination result based on the detection result and the first score. The learning support system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The method further includes a second screening information transmission unit that transmits second screening information indicating a result of a screening performed separately from the screening performed to obtain the first screening information in order to detect a suspected learning disability of the child to the judgment unit; The first screening information database further stores the second screening information. The learning support system according to claim 8.

10. Read out the student's learning achievement information stored in the achievement database, and transmit the read out achievement information; Based on the transmitted grade information, detect children suspected of having a learning disability and transmit the detection result; Transmitting a judgment by an expert based on the detection results as to the validity of the suspected learning disability of the child; According to the result of the assessment, sending a test invitation to encourage the child to be tested for a suspected learning disability; A representative of the child suspected of having a learning disability receives the assessment result and the test invitation. Learning support methods.