English summary of the 2 number of volume 43 publishing paper

Original Paper

Title: Development of Students' Computer Programming Abilities Through Collaborative Learning
Author: Jun MORIYAMA･Ryou MITANI･Jyoichi KIRITA･Hiroshi HIGUCHI

題目：共同学習環境の導入による生徒のﾌﾟﾛｸﾞﾗﾑ作成能力の向上
著者：森山潤・三谷亮・桐田襄一・樋口裕

Abstract

The effects of collaborative learning on promoting students' computer proving abilities were analyzed. Sixty 3rd grade junior high school students were divided into 2 groups learning Logo programming. One was a collaborative learning pair group, and the other was an individual learning group. We prepared achievement tests and "The Reflection Scale of Thinking Process on Computer Programming" (MORIYAMA et. al 1996). The achievement tests included both a coding test and a debug test. We administered pre-middle post tests in order to compare the 2 groups.
The results of the study were as follows: (1) In the pre-test, there were no significant differences between the pair leaning group and the individual learning group. (2) In the middle-test, the level of reflection of thinking process in the pair learning group was higher than that in the individual leaning group. (3) In the post-test, the level of debugging ability against syntax error in the pair learning group had risen higher than that in the individual learning group. (4) In the post-test, the level of coding ability of-lower ability students in the pair learning group rose to a level equivalent to the higher ability students. (5) It is suggested that these effects were brought about by the acquisition of cognitive strategies for task division through the collaboration and the interaction in the pair learning group.

Keywords: Logo programming, Junior high school students, Collaborative learning, programming abilities

Title: 4-Phase Pulse-Pattern Generator and Its Application to Digital Logic Circuit Instruction
Author: Hiroshi SHIRAHAMA

題目：４相パルス・パターン発生装置の製作と論理回路学習への応用
著者：白浜博

Abstract

Until now, at introductory level, digital logic circuits (DLC) instruction in technical high school has been implemented with commercial digital logic circuit trainers or handmade instruction boards. However, they fail to provide real and practical laboratory work because they provide the students with only static logic information such as truth tables and logic function tables. The present researcher thinks actual dynamic digital logic information, such as input-output wave-forms of DLC as a timing diagram, must be provided to students just beginning DLC.
From this standpoint, this paper describes the present condition of DLC instruction in technical high schools, and proposes an instruction system using a 4-channel oscilloscope and variable-phase type 4-phase pulse-pattern generator. Students are able to observe the dynamic input-output waveforms of the circuits visually as a timing diagram on the screen of oscilloscope. The system has proven to be very effective and successful in assisting students to understand DLC.

Key words: digital logic circuit instruction, timing diagram, 4-phase pulse pattern generator, 4-channel oscilloscope

Title: A Neural Network for Learning Effect Prediction in Collaborative Circuit Board Design Learning
Author: Kazuhiro SIN-IKE･Hiroshi NAKAMINE･Jyoichi KIRITA

題目：２人学習によるプリント配線基板設計課題の正答率を予測するニューラルネットワーク
著者：新池一弘・中峯 浩・桐田襄一

Abstract

In this paper we analyze the emergence mechanism of collaborative learning as senior high school students design printed circuit boards. Sixty-four students were divided into two pups. One group learned collaboratively (in pairs) and the other group learned individually (single) the design of printed circuit boards. Vie vocational aptitude test, Y-G (Yatabe-Guilford) test and the thinking process scale on printed circuit boards were used for measuring the aptitude of students, We predicted the number of errors made by the two groups (pair and single) using neural networks.
It was found that the predicted values and experimental results strongly correlated. The results obtained by the neural networks proposed in this paper are very similar to the experimental results described in previous papers. It was also found that the emergence mechanism was related to the cooperation by analyzing the prediction result using neural networks.

Keywords: neural network, collaborative learning, printed circuit board test, emergence

Title: Infrared Ray Remote Control Using the RS-232C Interface of a Pocket Computer
Author: Haruyoshi AKIBA

題目：ポケコンのRS-232Cインターフェースを利用した赤外線リモコンの製作とその活用
著者：秋葉治克

Abstract

Today, the quality of the pocket computer has achieved the level of the 16 bit computer of ten years ago. This is the main reason that in today's Windows-dominated age a large numbers of technical school and universities of technology and science are exploiting the pocket computer. A crucial factor in this is the realization of control and communication made possible by the use of the pocket computer. In instruction, the teacher may design a circuit for an original I/O board or use a ready-made one. In motivating students, it is essential to develop teaching aids which are simple to produce, easy to understand and of interest. I therefore aimed to develop an infrared ray remote control using the RS-232C interface of a pocket computer as a teaching aid for the learning of language, communication and control. It was possible to develop a teaching aid that permits the manufacture of hardware in a short period tin around 3 hours), ensures portability, has an infrared ray that can reach a distance of 6m at 600bps baud rate, and can be easily applied to die mashing control of an LED or incandescent lamp.

Keywords : Pocket computer, RS-232C interface, infrared ray remote control

Practical Paper

Title: Development of a System using the School LAN for Adding up the Results of Learning
Author: Kenji BABA･Kiyoomi TANAKA,

題目：校内ＬＡＮを利用した成績集計システムの開発
著者：馬場賢二・田中清臣

Abstract

We have developed a System using the school LAN (Local Area Network) for computing the results of learning as part of a CMI (Computer Management Instruction) System. In this paper, we describe the system architecture and the results of using it. We used common files in client/server type LAN and developed a system for computing the results of learning with Excel 97(Spreadsheet) and Access 97(Relational Database). We built VBA(Visual Basic for Applications) into the system to output results automatically. Any teacher can operate the system using only the menu screen. We used the system in schools to effectively reduce the burden and the time of computing the results of leaning.

Keywords: CMI, LAN, computing the results of leaning, Excel 97, Access 97, VBA

Technical Information

Title: Study on Desks and Chairs for School in Thematic Learning
Author: Kazuhiro YAMAUCHI

題目：｢課題研究｣における学校用学習机および椅子に関する研究
著者：山内一弘

Abstract

In the revised Course of Study (1994), "Thematic Learning" became a compulsory subject. Technical high school students, therefore, had to study it in from 2 to 4 classes a meek at high school from 1994. The Ministry of Education aimed to deepen the knowledge and techniques used in specialized subjects, and to enhance learners' active learning ability. As a result we had to reform our whole curriculum. My role was to develop a new mode of interior education to facilitate the changes. The results are as follows:
�@ I decided to deal with the problem of standardized desks and chairs in "Thematic Leaning" by encouraging my stu-dents to analyze the problem using techniques of human engineering. �A The students made the best use of the results in wood working: in addition they designed and worked on their chairs. The students that answered "I have leaned some techniques of designing by using human engineering by myself", accounted for 65% of the students surveyed in a questionnaire administered on completion of the woodwork task.

Keywords: technical high school, desks and chairs for school, Thematic Learning, human engineering, woodworking

Title: A Sampling System Using an A/D Converter
Author: Satoshi EMA

題目：A/D変換器を用いた計測システム
著者：江馬　諭

Abstract

A sampling system using an AID converter has been developed in this study. This system has the following functions;
1) Measurement of 7 channels with high or super low sampling speeds, changing such sampling conditions as input volt-age and sampling data number, 2) Sampling of directing signals using a trigger, 3) Display and search of time waves and/or power spectrums using engineering units, 4) Recording of data measured. 5) Store and recall of measuring conditions. This system will thus be effective in a variety of sampling cases and also as material for teaching measuring technology.

Keywords: Measurement System, A/D Converter, Sensor, Fast Fourier Transform