In analyzing human psychological behavior or action, multiple-choice question methods are quite effective means. Especially the questionnaire method in accordance with the rating scale method is frequently used because of its simplicity and reliability. The structural analysis method is a mean for analyzing the consciousness structure of evaluators from ordering structure of questionnaire items, and interval rating method is considered to reflect ambiguity of evaluators' consciousness better than fixed-point rating method. In this structural analysis method, a hierarchical structure graph (hereafter just called the structure graph) of the item group is constructed in order to visualize the related structure of the item group. Then in this paper, the structural analysis method for interval rating scale data to investigate consciousness concerning the environment education/environmental problems. On the other hand by providing the evaluators with some stimulus, by performing the same consciousness survey before and after the conduct, and by computing the similarity (difference) of these structure graphs, metamorphosis of the consciousness structure of the evaluators' group have been analyzed. As a result, problematic points of the environment education or effects of video teaching aids have been verified.

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The purpose of this study is to propose a technical and psychological framework of intelligent computer supported collaborative work/learning (Intelligent CSCW/L) which we call "iDCLE (intelligent distributed collaborative learning environment)." To realize this learning environment iDCLE, we constructed the real-time sharing communication system for collaborative work/learning on the computer network. We describe the mechanism for iDCLE which supports group learning intelligently in this paper. Each student can utilize two kinds of workspaces in iDCLE. One is called Personal Work Space in which a student can perform personal objectives individually using the various kinds of application softwares and tools in UNIX network environment. Another space is Collaborative Work Space where the various kinds of information are shared by all students. We embed the expert system which plays the role of a coordinator in order to support their discussion adaptively in iDCLE. In the case of group learning, students may understand, recognize and solve a problem more dynamically through discussion. So we contrive how to facilitate this discussion process to the desired direction. The system has the intelligent function by production rules reflecting intention-information in utterance occurred during group discussion. We represent the model of transition on dialogue states using intention-information to identify the state of group discussion and the participants' roles on the discussion process. In this paper, we describe the fundamental configuration of iDCLE, and discuss the mechanism of supporting discussion. The discussion support system in iDCLE can identify the state of discussion by tracing our model. The system can also diagnose the process of discussion for the purpose of making progress in the discussion using this model. If any advice is needed after diagnosing, the system gives appropriate advice to the participants.

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This article describes a practical study of international computer communication between Waseda University and Case Western Reserve University. The study is comprised of two parts : One is the preparation of the computer communication environment and the development of a curriculum to teach intercultural communication skills by means of international computer communication. The other is the evaluation of the curriculum. Although this evaluation was done only for the students of Waseda University, a significant increase was recognized in their TOEFL score. To validate the outcome of the evaluation, we conducted 30 min interviews, asking the students about their computer communication behavior and their impressions.

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