Building pedagogical applications in virtual worlds is a multi-disciplinary endeavor that involves learning theories, application development framework, and mediated communication theories. This... Show More

Building pedagogical applications in virtual worlds is a multi-disciplinary endeavor that involves learning theories, application development framework, and mediated communication theories. This paper presents a project that integrates game-based learning, multi-agent system architecture (MAS), and the theory of Transformed Social Interaction (TSI), the project implements a group of engaging, affectionate and effective pedagogical agents equipped with abilities of self-repsentation, emotional states reasoning and situational awareness. A prototype of a virtual quiz show, QuizMASter, has been implemented to realize these abilities, and will be used to test for the effectiveness of the approach.

The authors’ research defines a ubiquitous learning log (ULLO) as a digital record of what a learner has learned in the daily life using ubiquitous technologies. In their previous works, the authors... Show More

The authors’ research defines a ubiquitous learning log (ULLO) as a digital record of what a learner has learned in the daily life using ubiquitous technologies. In their previous works, the authors proposed a model named LORE (Log – Organize – Recall – Evaluate) to describe the learning process of ULLO and developed a system named SCROLL to implement this model. This paper focuses on Log among 4 factors in LORE and proposed a passive way to log ULLOs. They use SenseCam to capture a learner’s learning activities and propose a system named PACALL to support reflection of what s/he has seen. This system filters bad photos that taken by SenseCam and helps learner find learning content. The author use this system in language learning and help learners learn the foreign name of objects around.

To help researchers in building a knowledge foundation of their research fields which could be a time-consuming process, the authors have developed a Cross Tabulation Search Engine (CTSE). Its... Show More

To help researchers in building a knowledge foundation of their research fields which could be a time-consuming process, the authors have developed a Cross Tabulation Search Engine (CTSE). Its purpose is to assist researchers in 1) conducting research surveys, 2) efficiently and effectively retrieving information (such as important researchers, research groups, keywords), and also 3) providing analytical information relating to past and current research trends in a particular field. Their CTSE system employs data-processing technologies and emphasizes the use of a “Learn by Searching” learning strategy to support students to analyze such research trends. To show the effectiveness of CTSE, a pilot experiment has been conducted, where participants were assigned to do research survey tasks and then answer a questionnaire regarding the effectiveness and usability of the system. The results showed that the system has been helpful to students in conducting research surveys, and the research trend transitions that our system presented were effective for producing research trend surveys. Moreover, the results showed that most students had favorable attitudes toward the usage and usability of the system, and those students were satisfied in gaining more know ledge in a particular research field in a short period.

In language learning, error correction information given by teachers for student compositions is of great value in both teaching and learning. However, in traditional paper-based error correction... Show More

In language learning, error correction information given by teachers for student compositions is of great value in both teaching and learning. However, in traditional paper-based error correction mode, error correction information is easily lost and cannot be fed back to students systematically. The aim of this research is to provide maximum feedback related to systematic correction for students and teachers so that there can be targeted learning and teaching. This paper describes a web-based auxiliary error correcting system for Japanese writing that compares compositions before and after error correction and provides statistics related to error type, error frequency, and error variation. The system was evaluated in the Dalian University of Technology and the experiment proved that teachers and students benefit from this system.

The purpose of this paper is to show the technical feasibility of implementing their mobile context-aware learning schedule (mCALS) framework as a software application on a mobile device using... Show More

The purpose of this paper is to show the technical feasibility of implementing their mobile context-aware learning schedule (mCALS) framework as a software application on a mobile device using current technologies, prior to its actual implementation. This process draws a set of compatible mobile and context-aware technologies at present and can be used as a reference point for implementing generic mobile context-aware applications. The authors’ mCALS framework retrieves the learner’s location and available time contexts via the built-in learning schedule (i.e., electronic organizer) on a mobile device. These contexts together with the learner’s learning styles and knowledge level (on a selected topic) are used as the basis for the software application to suggest learning materials that are appropriate for the learner, at the time of usage. This retrieval approach eliminates the use of context-aware technologies and the need to directly request the user to enter context information at the time of usage. The authors develop a fully functional prototype of this framework for learners to plan their individual as well as social learning activities amongst one another to make their individual learning processes collaborative and as a way to enhance individual and social learning experiences.