Studying networking technologies has become one of the most important subjects in the field of Technology of junior high schools and Information Study of senior high schools in Japan. To study these subjects, studying with practically and experimentally is strongly recommended by MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technologies in Japan). However, there is little equipment for these studies. We have been developing new educational equipment for experimental studying of networking technologies based on concept of physical visualizations and physical direct manipulations. The equipment can visualize physically how network works using LED. Also the equipment provide physical direct manipulation using dials and buttons.

OpenFlow network technologies has attracted attention along with popularization of cloud environment and server virtualization since it enables flexible network configuration. It is expected that existing networks of many organizations will migrate to OpenFlow networks in the future. Since it takes a huge cost to replace all existing network devices to OpenFlow switches, many organizations consider to employ overlay OpenFlow networks where virtual OpenFlow devices are introduced at endpoint servers. In overlay OpenFlow networks, the cost for migration increases according to the number of servers. In this paper, we propose a system for supporting migration to an overlay OpenFlow network. Our proposed system acquires settings of servers in the existing network endpoints and reflects them to the overlay OpenFlow network. Through experimental evaluations, we confirm the behavior of the configuration acquisition function of our proposed system.

We have had practice of programming education using Scratch, which is a visual programming environment, and NanoBoardAG, which is a microcomputer board with multiple sensors. After students learned the basics of programming and how to treat values that sensors measured, they produced original games while giving ideas each other. Finally, they published completed games.

In this study, we developed an automatic network replication system for Open Flow network. This system can automatically and virtually replicate Open Flow network according to captured information. This system consists of mainly two functions: Message Capture Function (MCF), Network Emulation Function (NEF). MCF is located between Open Flow controller and Open Flow switch. MCF can capture message information that is exchanged between Open Flow controller and Open Flow switch. In addition by use of LLDP, MCF can detect link information between Open Flow switches. Then, MCF performs topology inference by link information. NEF can replicate Open Flow network according to captured message information and link information. Users can do a test newly developed function of Open Flow freely and easily on just one PC by use of this system.

Studying networking technologies has become one of the most important subjects in the field of Technology of junior high schools and Information Study of senior high schools in Japan. To study these subjects, studying with practically and experimentally is strongly recommended by MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technologies in Japan). However, there is little equipment for these studies. We have been developing equipment for experimental studying of networking technologies. Connecting each peace of equipment, students can study networking configurations, such as IP address assigning, Net mask, Routing and so on. In this paper, we will describe outline of our research and the equipment.

We have developed a WiFi users' information indicating system with AR (Augmented Reality). In a campus LAN, each WiFi user connects nearest WiFi Access-Point (AP). The system provides an AR based interface for indicating users' information. When an administrator points his/her Android Smart Phone at an AP, the interface shows associated user-ids superimposed into a real video view of the AP. Using this system, the administrator can find where users are.

In this study, we have developed a handwriting learning system using the LCD pen tablet in order to help dysgraphia children to learn Kanji. Teaching materials with a handwriting interface are available on the market. However, these materials have been developed for healthy people. The degree of the writing difficulty is different for each child. Therefore, the guidance adapted for each child is necessary to teaching materials. In this research, in order to perform detailed guidance in accordance with the degree of writing difficulties, we have realized functions of handwriting learning support, as described below. Firstly, we have realized the function of practicing the character, while looking at the model. For children unable to write correctly only by looking at the form of the final character, our system includes a function to display the model along the stroke order sequentially depending on the process of handwriting. Secondly, we have realized the function of tracing a model for children who can not transcribe it. These two functions are able to use at the same time. Furthermore, our system also have a function to support handwriting learning by evaluating each written stroke automatically whether it is right order or a shape of stroke and giving feedback. Currently, we are evaluating our system in using for instruction to dysgraphia children at a special support classroom of a primary school.

In this research, we have developed a system which supports Japanese pronunciation learning for foreign students by using speech recognition software named Julius. We have realized automatic evaluation of learner’s pronunciation by using speech recognition software. In our system, beginners can check their pronunciation without depending on a teacher. We have also implemented learning courses which meet the needs of learners. The learner can learn according to the level of own Japanese by the pronunciation learning course that corresponds to the level of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. In addition, the learner can learn one’s weak pronunciation selectively by learning course according to the country in consideration of the native language interference.

We used an eye tracker to record and analyze the gaze of learners watching text and drawings being written, as in the case of a teacher writing on a blackboard. Many teachers and learners understand the benefit of using blackboards, but there remains insufficient scientific evaluation of their use. Course content presentation that includes in-process writing of text is highly characterized by the sequential presentation of the writing processes. We believe that this presents a visualization of the thought process, and is thus far richer in educational information than simple presentation of completed forms. We focus on gaze during the presentation of graphs and equations as fundamental research to elucidate the benefit of presenting the writing process.

We have developed a geographical location estimation system for WiFi user in campus to help network administration. We use WiFi radio wave to estimate users'location. The system measures strength of radio wave between WiFi access point and a user's PC. We have developed and implemented calculation formulas. The system calculates distance between the pair for the estimation. Then the system shows the estimated user's geographical location on the campus map via Web browser. A network administrator may know users' geographical location easily to use this system.

In this research, we develop a supporting system for nature observation and investigation activities around users using smartphones. By using smartphones equipped with GPS and a camera for nature observation, users can record the target pictures and position information to observe. Users can share many data by uploading these records with the others. Moreover, it is useful to data map creation of observation information by performing continuous use. We are developing the system which users enable to learn about natural environment by observation and investigation activities of dragonflies, being familiar with the nature around users using smartphones equipped with GPS. Since dragonflies are one of the index insects of waterside environment, users enable to learn about natural environment through observation and investigation activities of dragonflies. We aim at visualization of changes of natural environment by performing natural observational-research activities using this system.

We have developed a video streaming module for Moodle. This module adds three functions into Moodle. The one is an uploading function for recorded video files to Moodle. The second is a video format converting function. This function can convert from 14 major video formats to Flash format, automatically. The third is a video playing function. This module works as an activity module in Moodle. We have recorded lectures of a subject through one semester. We have provided recorded videos as a material for lecture reviewing of students via Moodle. Results of a questionnaire show the videos are good materials for review.

It is known that notetaking instruction leads to improvement of students' motivation for learning and understanding. However, it is not easy to instruct how to take notes enough for each student in classroom. We have developed a notetaking instruction system with handwriting interface. Our prototype system is designed for arithmetic calculation by writing. The user can take notes on the system the same as usual notetaking because our system is equipped with a handwriting interface. We have defined three instruction rules. They are laying out group heads, inserting blank spaces and separating the page for additional information. The diagnosis results and instructions are immediately presented to the user. Our system has realized individual notetaking instruction in which the user can learn the basics of how to take notes through real-time instruction.

A remote telescope is a remote controllable astronomical telescope system via the Internet. There were already several remote telescope systems. However, all such systems are big and special ones. We have developed a simple and compact remote telescope system. We used a commercial Vixen equatorial telescope, a compact CCD video camera and a small Linux box for the new remote telescope. It is easy to carry and install the remote telescope.

We are developing "the ubiquitous environment house" for observational learning in science education. The house can produce weather condition artificially. Also, the house gets real-time weather data from remote site via the Internet. Then, the system reproduces the remote weather condition in the environment house. If there are the same environment in the house and outside the house, students can compare differences of plants growing depend on the different weather conditions at the same time. This provides a good material for observation learning. The system provides not a virtual learning environment but a real learning environment. We have developed the prototype system. We had an experiment to confirm how the system works. In the experiment, the system produced fog and frost in the house. This result shows the system worked without problem.

Various kinds of high-quality media systems have been developed. It is expected that these systems can be used for remote lectures. We are adopting these systems including a high-speed network to construct a remote lecture based on "Instruction with Blackboard", which provides an old-fashioned but very common style of lecture. This instruction style has been often avoided in remote lectures so far because it requires high-quality data transmission. However it is no doubt that this style of instruction is still a very popular teaching method. Therefore, it is educationally meaningful that this teaching method is realized on remote lectures. This paper describes a construction method of the remote lecture based on Instruction with Blackboard and the experiment on the remote lecture using high-quality media systems.

We have developed a remote blackboard presenter system. The system works with the Digital Video Transfer System (DVTS). The system enables capturing, automatic transmitting and automatic presentation of high-quality images of a blackboard for the blackboard based lessons. In this paper, we described details of the system.

GaAs FET amplifier modules for 20 GHz band satellite communications have been developed using newly developed power FETs. The deep recess gate structure was adopted in the power FET, which improved both power output capability and power gain. Power added efficiency of 22 percent with more than 1 W power output has been achieved with 3 mm gate width FETs. The amplifier modules containing two-stage internally matched FET's can be hermetically sealed in metal packages. The modules had 8.4-8.9 dB linear gain in the 17.7-18.8 GHz band and 7.9-8.4 dB linear gain in the 18.5-19.6 GHz band. The power output at 1 dB gain compression point was more than 0.5 W. The third-order intermodulation distortion ratio was 81-83 dB at 18.2 GHz and 77-80 dB at 18.9 GHz, when individual output signal power was -4 dBm.