Authors:
Takaya Iio
1
;
Yui Sasaki
2
;
Mikihiro Tokuoka
1
;
Ryohei Egusa
3
;
Fusako Kusunoki
4
;
Hiroshi Mizoguchi
1
;
Shigenori Inagaki
2
and
Tomoyuki Nogami
5
Affiliations:
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda-shi, Chiba-ken and Japan
;
2
Department of Developmental Sciences, Kobe University, Hyogo and Japan
;
3
Department of Education and Child Development, Meiji Gakuin University, Tokyo and Japan
;
4
Department of Computing, Tama Art University, Tokyo and Japan
;
5
Professor Emeritus, Kobe University, Hyogo and Japan
Keyword(s):
Ecological Learning, Body Movement, Kinect Sensor, Immersive Reality, Virtual Reality, Zoo.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Active Learning
;
Computer-Supported Education
;
Immersive Learning
;
Learning/Teaching Methodologies and Assessment
;
Pattern Recognition
;
Theory and Methods
Abstract:
We have developed a preliminary learning support system for zoos where children can learn about the ecologies of animals while moving their bodies. For children, the zoo is a place of learning, where they can observe live animals carefully and learn about ecology. However, some animals are exceptionally difficult to observe carefully, and the observers may find it challenging to learn in such scenarios. Therefore, in this research, we developed a learning support system that efficiently acquires knowledge about the ecologies of animals that are difficult to observe in zoos. This system uses a sensor to measure the body movements of the learner; certain animals also tend to respond based on these movements. By doing so, live animals can be carefully observed virtually, and ecological learning is achieved via touch. In this work, we describe the results of evaluating the usefulness of the current system by developing a prototype and evaluating experiments as the first step towards real
izing a learning support system to achieve ecological learning of animal observations in zoos.
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