Samsul Huda, Nobuo Funabiki, Minoru Kuribayashi and Wen-Chung Kao
For several decades, calligraphy has been popular among people in Japan, China, and even in the world. Traditionally, a teacher teaches how to write letters on a paper with a…
Abstract
Purpose
For several decades, calligraphy has been popular among people in Japan, China, and even in the world. Traditionally, a teacher teaches how to write letters on a paper with a brush, and a student will imitate them by referring to the model letters. However, if a teacher is not available, this method will not be applicable either. This study aims to propose a calligraphy learning assistant system (CLAS) using projection mapping, which allows a student to learn calligraphy by him/herself.
Design/methodology/approach
By following the letter writing video of a teacher that is directly projected on the paper, a student is able to learn the stroke order and writing speed in addition to the letter shape. Moreover, the letter portion practice function is incorporated in CLAS to allow a learner to repeat practicing hard portions of each letter.
Findings
For evaluations, the authors implemented CLAS using Raspberry Pi and open-source software and asked students to use it. The results confirmed that CLAS is effective in improving calligraphy skills of novice students.
Originality/value
With CLAS, a student can practice calligraphy using a conventional brush, ink and paper at a desk while looking at the model letter writing of a teacher projected on the paper using projection mapping.
Details
Keywords
Ta Na, Nobuo Funabiki, Khin Khin Zaw, Nobuya Ishihara, Shinpei Matsumoto and Wen-Chung Kao
To advance Java programming educations, the authors have developed a Java Programming Learning Assistant System (JPLAS) as a web application system. JPLAS provides fill-in-blank…
Abstract
Purpose
To advance Java programming educations, the authors have developed a Java Programming Learning Assistant System (JPLAS) as a web application system. JPLAS provides fill-in-blank problems for novices to study the grammar and basic programming skills through code reading.
Design/methodology/approach
To select the blank elements with grammatically correct and unique answers from a given Java code, the authors have proposed the graph-based blank element selection algorithm. Then, the code for this problem should be highly readable to encourage novice students to study it. Because code readability can be improved by proper names for identifiers, the authors have also proposed the naming rule testing algorithm to identify codes with correct names.
Findings
In this paper, the authors present a fill-in-blank problem workbook by collecting suitable Java codes from textbooks and Web sites and applying these algorithms with several extensions. The workbook consists of 16 categories with a considerable number of problems that follow the conventional learning order of Java programming.
Originality/value
The proper set of ready-made fill-in-blank problems is effective in enhancing the usability of JPLAS both for teachers and students. For the preliminary evaluation, the authors assign a few problems to students. In coming semesters, the authors will use this workbook in the course to verify the adequacy of the proposal for novices.
Details
Keywords
Yan Watequlis Syaifudin, Nobuo Funabiki, Minoru Kuribayashi and Wen-Chung Kao
With rapid increase of Android devices and application systems, there is a strong demand for Android application programmers. A lot of schools are offering Android programming…
Abstract
Purpose
With rapid increase of Android devices and application systems, there is a strong demand for Android application programmers. A lot of schools are offering Android programming courses to meet this demand. However, Android programming can be different from the conventional one because it needs interactive functions through interfaces with users, which makes the study more difficult. This paper aims to propose an Android Programming Learning Assistance System, namely, APLAS, to assist the Java-based Android programming study and education.
Design/methodology/approach
By adopting the test-driven development method, APLAS is designed to achieve independent learning without the presence of teachers. Using JUnit and Robolectric, the answers from the students are automatically marked in APLAS. To cover extensive materials in Android programming, APLAS offers four stages where each stage involves several topics.
Findings
To evaluate the effectiveness of APLAS, we implemented the Unit Converter assignment that covers the first two topics, namely, Basic user interface in the first stage and basic activity in the second stage. Through solving the assignment, it is expected to learn basic application development. Forty novice students of an IT department in Indonesia were asked to solve both topics separately.
Originality/value
The results show that APLAS is useful and helpful for the self-study of Android programming, as they could complete codes with good execution performances.
Details
Keywords
San Hay Mar Hay Mar Shwe, Nobuo Funabiki, Yan Watequlis Syaifudin, Phyu Phyu Tar, Htoo Htoo Sandi Kyaw, Hnin Aye Thant, Wen-Chung Kao, Nandar Win Min, Thandar Myint and Ei Ei Htet
This study aims to present the value trace problem (VTP) for Python programming self-study, by extending the works for Java programming learning assistant system. In total, 130…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to present the value trace problem (VTP) for Python programming self-study, by extending the works for Java programming learning assistant system. In total, 130 VTP instances are generated using Python codes in textbooks and websites that cover basic/advanced grammar topics, fundamental data structures and algorithms and two common library usages. Besides, assisting references on Python programming topics related to the VTP instances are introduced to assist novice learners in solving them efficiently.
Design/methodology/approach
PyPLAS offers the VTP to study grammar topics and library usage through code reading. A VTP instance asks a learner to trace the actual values of important variables or output messages in the given source code. The correctness of any answer is checked through string matching.
Findings
The applications to 48 undergraduate students in Myanmar and Indonesia confirm the validity of the proposal in Python programming self-studies by novice learners.
Originality/value
The applications to 48 undergraduate students in Myanmar and Indonesia confirm the validity of the proposal in Python programming self-studies by novice learners.
Details
Keywords
Wen‐Chung Hsieh, Chun‐Hsi Vivian Chen, Chi‐Cheng Lee and Rui‐Hsin Kao
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of work characteristics on members’ self‐efficacy and collective efficacy, and the subsequent effect on police officers’…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of work characteristics on members’ self‐efficacy and collective efficacy, and the subsequent effect on police officers’ performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A multilevel model is adopted to analyze quantitative data obtained by using 812 police officers and 54 chiefs of police stations in Taiwan as the research objects.
Findings
The authors found that work characteristics affected members’ self‐efficacy and collective efficacy, which further affected the individual‐ and group‐level performance and the contextual effect of social work characteristics (SWCs) and collective efficacy on self‐efficacy and individual performance. The authors also confirmed the cross‐level moderation of social characteristics on the relationship between motivational work characteristics (MWCs) and self‐efficacy, and between self‐efficacy and individual performance.
Research limitations/implications
A limitation was the characteristics of the sample, which consisted of mostly first‐line uniformed police officers in Taiwan. From the perspective of managerial implications, it is felt that police organizations should beef up the training on police officers’ collective efficacy, such as building group spirit, improving members’ sense of responsibility, and building up trust with the organization.
Originality/value
The findings prove that the study of work design is particularly important for enhancing the management effectiveness of police organization, because it explains the causes of a number of organizational behaviors as well as a number of important results that influence the police organization (e.g. efficacy and performance).