Kanji Retrieval by Recursive Location of Elements Using HyperCard
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.v9i2.4-25Keywords:
Kanji (Chinese characters) retrieval, Japanese language learning, hypertext design, information retrieval, CALL, HyperCardAbstract
There are a number of Japanese-English computer dictionaries. However, they do not provide the Japanese language student with an adequate means of retrieving kanji (Chinese characters). The study here outlines the implementation and evaluation of a computer-based kanji finder. The electronic kanji finder was implemented on a Macintosh using HyperCard, with regard to student needs, based on sound pedagogical and human factor principles. An evaluation of the implementation based on a comparison of the retrieval methods of a traditional dictionary was made, giving students access to both the computer-based dictionary and Nelson's paper kanji dictionary. The two retrieval methods were compared based on human factors criteria. The results of the comparison show that the electronic dictionary has several features which are better than the traditional paper dictionary. The findings go against previous research which show that electronic fact retrieval is worse than traditional retrieval using reference books (B. Shneiderman, 1987). The conclusion discusses some of the implications of the results for students of Japanese.
References
Cohen, A. (Oct 1976). "Efficient Study of the 214 Classifiers ("radicals"). Journal of the Chinese Language Teachers Association. 11(3) 192-193.
DeJoy, J. K., Mills, H. (Feb 1989) "Criteria for Evaluating Interactive Instructional Materials for Adult Self-Directed Leamers.” Educational Technology, 29(2), 39-42.
Emurian, H. and Seborg, B. (Oct 1990). "Some Affects of Row, Diagonal, and Column Formats on Search Time and Strategy." Computers in Human Behavior, 6, 153-166.
Frisse, M. (July 1988). " Searching for Information in a Hypertext Medical Handbook." Comm. of ACM, 31(7), 880-886.
Glushko, R. (May 1989). "Transforming Text into Hypertext for a Compact Disc Encyclopedia. SIGCHI, ACM, 293-298.
Hannafin, M.J. (Mar 1989). "An Integrated Framework for CBI Screen Design and Layout." Computers in Human Behavior, 5, 155-163.
Hendrickson, J. Performance (May 1989). "Preference and Visual Scan Patterns on a Menu-Based System: Implications for Interface Design. SIGCHI, ACM, 217-222.
Jackson, J. and Roske-Hofstrand, R. (May 1989). "Circling: A Method of Moused-Based
Selection Without Button Presses.” Comm. of ACM, SIGCHI, 161-165.
Jonassen, D. (1989) "Functions, Applications, and Design Guidelines for Multiple Window Environments." Computers in Human Behavior, 5, 185-194.
Kristjansdottir, A. (1989). "Independent, Self-Responsible Students; Education Software — On Whose Terms?" Education & Computing, 5, 81-89.
Landlow, G.P. (1989) "Hypertext in Literary Education, Criticism, and Scholarship." Computers and the Humanities, 23, 173-198.
Marchionini, G. and Shneiderman, B. (Jan 1988). "Finding Facts vs. Browsing, Knowledge in Hypertext Systems.' IEEE Computer, 70-79.
Nakajima, K. (Dec 1988). "On Developing HyperCard Stacks for the Study of Chinese Characters: KanjiCard. CALICO Journal, 6(2), 75-87.
Nelson, A. (1969). The Modem Readers Japanese-English Character Dictionary. Tuttle, Tokyo, Japan.
Sharpe, D. and Willshire, M. (Jan 1989). SIGCHI, ACM, 58-61.
Salvendy, G. (ed.) (1987). The Handbook of Human Factors. p. 507-508.
Shneiderman, B. (1987). De-signing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human Computer Interaction. Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass.
