Foreign Language Education Utilizing Wireless Infrared Ray Transmission System

2000 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 10558016
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 展開研究
• Research Field: Educational technology
• Research Institution: Yamagata University
• Principal Investigator: NAKANISHI Tatsuya Yamagata University, Faculty of Education, Associate Professor, 教育学部, 助教授 (10217771)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): TOMITA Kaoru Yamagata University, Faculty of Literature and Social Science, Associate Professor, 人文学部, 助教授 (00227620) ; NAKAYAMA Kazuo Yamagata University, Faculty of Education, Associate Professor, 教育学部, 助教授 (10180431) ; YAMAGUCHI Tsuneo Yamagata University, Faculty of Education, Professor, 教育学部, 教授 (80146745) ; HIRAYAMA Masahiro LTEL Co., Ltd., Research and Development, General Manager, 研究開発室, 室長(研究職)
• Project Period (FY): 1998 – 2000
• Keywords: Foreign Language Eudcation / LL System / LAN / Infrared Ray / Wireless Data Transmission

Research Abstract

Studies of a foreign language instruction system have been carried out by means of wireless LAN with optical diffusion method and note PCs, which do not limit location.
Chief characteristics of the system employed in our studies are described in the fllowings. First, CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) adopted in IEEE802.3 10BASE-T is employed.It has exceeding advantage of collision detection of signals over CSMA/CA (CSMA with Collision Avoidance). Second, software is in operation, which is used in a typical computer room. It can transmit information bi-directionally from an instructor to learners and vice versa. The information here includes graphical information in display and saved files. Bi-directional digital transmission of speech sounds between an instructor and learners is added to its software used at a typical computer room. Third, an instructor can handle a group of learners individually in this system.
It has turned out that the system can be used effectively and extensively in foreign language instructions. It can be applicable to every aspect of four skills, that is, reading, writing, listening and writing.
A little problem is found. A transmission lag of speech sounds over one second has been detected. Most of us have already experienced this kind of lag in an overseas call and a TV program to find that it makes communication somewhat difficult.
In conclusion, we have found possibilities to go beyond the specific restriction of facilities such as an LL and a computer room. Infrared ray transmission can be located on almost all classroom ceilings. If you bring your note PC compatible with optical LAN, then you can build up your instruction system freely within its effective area.