How effectively do good language learners use handheld electronic dictionaries: A qualitative approach

The present study us an attempt to clarify effectively use of handheld electronic dictionaries (hereafter ED) for language learning in Japanese EFL context. For this purpose, we examined EFL learners’ look-up behavior with ED through the think-aloud technique, and found some strategies for efficient use of ED, particularly by analyzing look-up behavior. Five postgraduate students of a graduate school took part in the study as good language learners (hereafter FBs), five college students also participated. The experiment was conducted with one participant at a time on an appointment basis. No time constraint was conducted with number of target words to be looked up were set in the experiment. After transcribing their verbal descriptions, some strategies for effective ED use were extracted. The analysis of the qualitative data suggested the possibility that the ED’s functions had provided not only GLLs but also FBs with scaffolding for EFL learning. Also, the results revealed that GLLs were good ED users

How look-up frequency affects EFL learning?: An empirical study on the use of handheld-electronic dictionaries

The main purpose of this research is to explore the differences in learners\u27 look-up behavior between handheld-electronic dictionaries (hereafter ED) and printed dictionaries (hereafter PD). We focused, particularly, on the relation between learners\u27 look-up frequency and degree of reading comprehension of the text. A total of 72 undergraduate students participated in the experiment, and were divided into two groups (ED and PD Groups) with approximately the same proficiency. Each group was assigned two tasks; to read the texts by using the designated dictionary (ED or PD) and to answer quizzes related to the texts they had read. The number of looked-up words, the time they needed for the tasks, and the quiz scores in each group were statistically examined. The results showed the ED group looked up more words to comprehend the texts than the PD group did in a shorter period of time. However no significant difference was found in the quiz scores. These findings indicate that increased look-up frequency induced by ED does not necessarily guarantee better reading comprehension of learners’. Some pedagogical suggestions will be also made based on the results

Metabolic and lactate responses to supramaximal exercise in elite junior soccer players and distance runners

Aim: Elite soccer players are considered not as excellent but as good endurance athletes. Because of the characteristics of the game which is faster and is played at higher intensity, a high anaerobic power is also required characteristic of elite soccer players. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to compare the metabolic and lactate responses to 30s maximal cycle ergometer tests in high school soccer players and distance runners. Methods: Ten elite high school male soccer players (SP) and ten elite high school male distance runners (DR) volunteered as subjects in this study. Anaerobic power measures were obtained using Wingate anaerobic test including peak power (PP) and mean power (MP). The oxygen uptake (VO_2) was recorded breath-by-breath during the test (30s) and during the first 30s of recovery. Blood samples for lactate concentrations were drawn at rest before the test and during the 30-min recovery period. Results: Values (±SEM) of PP were 647 (±27) and 568 (±24) W in the SP and DR, respectively being significant (P<0.05). During the test, the DR had a significantly greater VO_2 than the SP (P<0.01). Blood lactate concentrations, on the other hand in recovery after the test were higher in the SP than DR. Conclusion: Those results would indicate that the energy supply for the 30s supramaximal exercise depended on the competitive specialty. The energy supply of the SP was more provided by the anaerobic metabolism and in the DR by the aerobic system

ジュンジョ トウケイリョウ カラノ ジニ ケイスウ ノ スイテイ

研究ノート(Note

卓球競技における攻撃型とカット型による戦術分析

The offensive style and defensive style players competing in the women\u27s singles at the All Japan Student Table Tennis Championship Tournament (November 1995) and the All Japan Table Tennis Campionship Tournament (December 1995) were videotaped and analyzed for their playing tactics. The results are summarized as follows : 1) The route of the ball for both styles tended to travel diagonally from right side court to opposing right side court. 2) In terms of serving and receiving, both style players had gained somewhat more points in the rallies for which they served. 3) The offensive style players had a higher tendency to use their forehand, as opposed to their backhand. 4) About 80% of the time, rallies tended to end with 12 or less ball hits for both types of players. 5) The offensive style player scored off her opponent\u27s push shot most of the time, and off their cut second most frequently, whereas the defensive player scored off the opponent\u27s push shot most frequently, and off their drive second most frequently

Utilizing Video Self-Modeling and Video Hero Modeling to Increase Task Engagement of an Elementary-Aged Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

　本研究では，集中して着替えに取り組むことが難しい一人の知的障害のある自閉症スペクトラム障害児に対して，３種類のビデオモデリング技法を順次適用し，どの技法がもっとも着替え従事率の上昇をもたらすかを検討した。用いられた技法は，①本人が着替えに取り組 むビデオを着替えに先立ち視聴させる技法，②本人が着替えの競争でヒーローに勝つビデオを着替えに先立ち視聴させる技法，③ヒーローが着替えに取り組むビデオを着替えの最中に視聴させる技法の３つであった。ABACADA デザインを用いてこれら３つの介入効果を比 較した結果，③の技法のみに効果が確認された

Printed Dictionaries vs. Electronic Dictionaries: A Pilot Study on How Japanese EFL Learners Differ in Using Dictionaries

Two empirical studies were conducted, in which Japanese EFL learners\u27 searching behavior was compared in using an electronic dictionary (ED condition) with using a conventional one (PD condition). In the first study, to clarify how leaners differ in using dictionaries, the authors focused on the learners\u27 searching behavior such as serch time, retention of words, and impressions or comments on dictionaries. The results indicated that, between the two conditions: 1) there were no significant differences in respect to either the nubmer of words they looked up or the time they needed for a search in a dictionary in comparison between the printed dictionary group and the electronic dictionary group; 2) no significant differences in the learners\u27 retention of words were found. In addition, 3) some differences were shown in the comments on dictionaries between college and high school sudents; and 4) most students highly evaluated an electronic dictionary in respect to its handiness and its ease of use, while they considered that, owing to its interface design, it did not provide sufficient information to them, as did a printed dictionary. To provide some supportive evidence to the results found in the first study, the think-aloud procedure was employed in the second study, and influences of dictionaries\u27 interface disign on their searching behavior were confirmed