Showing papers in "Educational technology research in 2011"

Improvement of Digital Pen Learning System for Daily Use in Classrooms

Abstract: In this paper, we describe an improvement to AirTransNote, a student note-sharing system that facilitates collaborative and interactive learning during a regular lecture in conventional classrooms. The former AirTransNote system employed ultrasonic pens and PDAs for collecting student notes on paper sheets. However, this process required special skills and posed difficulties for learners. We then introduced Anoto-based pens to reduce these difficulties, and compared this with the former system during experimental lectures. We confirmed that the simplicity and stability of the Anoto-based pen facilitates active participation of low-performing students, while high-performing students felt less uneasy about the system checking their notes. The original system also required teachers to manage the relationship between a pen ID, a learner, and a seat position. To resolve this difficulty, we developed an instant sheet-mapping method. This method utilizes learners’ signatures on a special seat-map sheet, and dynamically relates the pen IDs and the seat positions with the signatures. We conducted an experimental lecture session at an elementary school, and confirmed that this method functions effectively with younger school children.

Development of a Teacher Training System for Upgrading Teaching Skills by Using ICT

Abstract: An integrated Web systern was developed for teacher trajning catled Teacher's Reseurces tbr Applying ICT Nationwide (TRAIN) in order to upgrade the /instructional ability of'teachers by using ICT, TRAIN enabled the watching through streaming of 218 short videe modules that aim to be usefu1 in improving the teacher's ability and promoting the popularization of ICT in education within schools. Furthermore, tt handbook was produced that explained the title, content, a screen shot and the instructor's name, in half an A4-sized page for all ofthe video modules, which can bc referred to when teachers select to watch thern. In addition, in an attempt to boost support for self-training, in-school training and group training using TRAIN, 50 practical eases from the video modules were selected and case studies featuring advice have been produced. Instructiona] situations and practical cases re!ated to these were provided together with TRAiN. 234 FAQs about the instructional ability of teachers by using ICT were provided, and study using these FAQs made possible. An evaluation for education boards' viewers on TRAIN was also conducted,

Classification of Efficient Calculation Problems and the Effect of Instruction Using an Abstract Strategy

Abstract: Calculation problems such as 1+2+3+97+98+99 can be solved rapidly and easily by using certain techniques; we call these problems “efficient calculation problems.” However, many students do not always solve them efficiently. To address this problem among students, this study developed a new teaching method. The first study sought to examine underlying subcategories of efficient calculation problems. To accomplish this, multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis to a similarity matrix obtained from expert judgments were conducted. As a result, we classified 20 efficient calculation problems into 8 categories. The second study examined the effect of an intervention on 59 eighth grade students and 52 fifth grade students. The students were instructed to use an abstract strategy that stated, “Think carefully about the whole expression,” and were then taught the solution to the problem. The results indicated that the eighth grade students solved similar problems efficiently after the intervention, while the fifth grade students did not. The results also suggested that the effect of the intervention was greater among students with sufficient basic calculation skills.