JP6202493B2 - Information processing apparatus and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present technology relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method. Specifically, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method that are suitable for teaching programming techniques and the like.

  Various devices are controlled by a computer, and the process of optimizing a program or creating a new program is increasing. In addition, with the spread of game machines, the demand for software for game machines is also increasing.

  In Patent Document 1, in order to efficiently create a program, the program is divided into predetermined blocks, and a block-specific character string that is a command character string group for each block, a start character string that is a predetermined command character string, and an end A robot motion program creation device that stores a block-by-block search range having a character string in a storage unit inserts the block-by-block search character string between the start character string and the end character string to be processed. It has been proposed that a search character string detected is detected, and the search character string is highlighted and displayed on a display unit.

JP 2010-157155 A

  To create or optimize a program, you need to learn about the program. Patent Document 1 proposes a means for efficiently creating a program, but no means for learning programming has been proposed, and unless programming is understood, it cannot be efficiently created as a result. .

  By the way, in places where you can learn programming such as universities, the information system education is aimed at learning specialized technical technologies (elemental technologies) such as programming languages, networks, operating systems (OS), and databases. There are many educational programs. And such education does not include the process of developing the ability to imagine and design the entire system through trial and error that anticipates, sees, and modifies the interior of an existing system.

  In order to understand the system mechanism, it is necessary to understand the state of the target system, the data structure inside the computer, its data, and the algorithm for data processing. This is similar to, for example, a process in which a child “disassembles a toy and sees what the inside is like”. If there are teaching materials that allow you to experience such “learning” in software, you will be able to understand the essence of programming, the workings of computers and the internal state, and learn basic programming concepts and practical programming.

  This technology was developed in view of these circumstances, and an interactive programming environment that enables children with little prior knowledge to understand the meaning and concepts of programming and to practice programming while considering the internal state of the computer. provide.

An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present technology includes, in one screen, a first area for displaying a system state, a second area for displaying a model state, and a third area for displaying processing contents. When there is a change in one area of the first area or the second area, the part corresponding to the change in the other area is changed and displayed in the third area When there is a place changed in the second area by executing the processing content, an arrow connecting the third area and the changed place in the second area is displayed, and the second area When there is a place changed in the first area due to the change, an arrow connecting the place changed in the second area and the place changed in the first area is displayed .

By processing content displayed in the third region is executed, when there is a change in the corresponding part of the second region, and change the appropriate portion of the second region, the first It is possible to change the location of the first area corresponding to the location where the area of 2 has been changed.

  The first area displays the world to be systematized, the second area displays data or a data structure for displaying the world to be systematized, and the third area Can display a program for controlling the world to be systematized.

  When a predetermined operation is performed on the first area or the second area and a change is instructed, the instructed change is executed in the area where the predetermined operation is performed, and the predetermined area In a region different from the region where the above operation is performed, a portion corresponding to the change can be changed.

  When a predetermined operation is performed on the first area, a plurality of changes are displayed near a place where the predetermined operation is performed, and one of the plurality of changes is displayed by the user. When a change content is selected, the location where the predetermined operation is performed in the first area is changed with the selected change content, and the change in the second area is executed. It is possible to change the location to be changed.

  The third area has a configuration in which a plurality of processing contents can be separately registered, and the registered processing contents can be executed at arbitrary timings.

  The processing content displayed in the third area can be continuously executed at regular intervals.

  The processing content displayed in the third area can be executed when the model state in the second area is changed.

  The location changed in the second area can be displayed with a different background color from the other locations.

  The location changed in the second area can be displayed with the values before and after the change.

  When there is a change in one area of the first area or the second area, and the place corresponding to the change in the other area is also changed, an arrow connecting the changed places is displayed. be able to.

An information processing method according to an aspect of the present technology is an information processing method for an information processing apparatus including a display unit. A first region for displaying a system state and a model state for displaying a model state in one screen of the display unit. The display of the screen including the second area and the third area for displaying the processing content, and when there is a change in one of the first area and the second area, the other area If there is a place changed in the second area by changing the part corresponding to the change in the third area and executing the processing content displayed in the third area, the third area And an arrow connecting the changed location in the second area, and when there is a changed location in the first area due to a change in the second area, the second area An arrow connecting the location changed in the area and the location changed in the first area Including the step of displaying.

In the information processing apparatus and the information processing method according to an aspect of the present technology, a first area for displaying the system state, a second area for displaying the model state, and the processing content are displayed in one screen of the display unit. When the screen including the third area is displayed and there is a change in one of the first area and the second area, the location corresponding to the change in the other area is changed. In addition, when the processing content displayed in the third area is executed, and there is a place changed in the second area, an arrow connecting the third area and the changed place in the second area Is displayed, and when there is a change in the first area due to a change in the second area, the changed place in the second area is connected to the changed place in the first area. An arrow is displayed .

  According to one aspect of the present technology, it is possible to provide an interactive programming environment in which even a child with little prior knowledge can understand the meaning and concept of programming and practice programming while considering the internal state of the computer.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a system to which the present technology is applied. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a terminal. It is a figure for demonstrating regarding the area | region of the screen displayed on a display. It is an example of a screen displayed on a display. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship of each area | region. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship of each area | region. It is an example of a screen displayed on a display. It is a figure for demonstrating the display in a system area | region. It is a figure for demonstrating a dialog box. It is a figure for demonstrating a dialog box. It is a figure for demonstrating the display in a process area. It is a figure for demonstrating the change of a background color. It is a figure for demonstrating the arrow which connects the part concerning a change. It is a figure for demonstrating the arrow which connects the part concerning a change. It is a figure for demonstrating the arrow which connects the part concerning a change.

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present technology (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described. The description will be given in the following order.
1. 1. System overview 2. Terminal configuration First display screen Second display screen 5. 5. Display of changed data About recording media

  First, problems that can be solved by applying the present technology described below and effects that can be expected by applying the present technology will be briefly described.

  For education, students provide self-teaching by providing “top-down education” that correctly conveys and understands existing knowledge to students, as well as providing information that gives students a sense of awareness and stimulates students' interests and incentives. There is a “bottom-up education” that encourages students to chew the information they have acquired and acquire the problem-solving ability ahead of them. Applying this technology will enable “bottom-up education”.

  The basics of bottom-up education are that students themselves “see the target system well,” and think about the background and internal structure (Think), and then touch and move the target. In order to apply the results to problems in real social life by stimulating their interests, `` Thinking how to plan (Plan) '' to improve better by taking into account their own ideas, this The goal is to “realize (Do) as your own system” and connect it to the next loop process of “observing” the resulting system movement with more interest.

  In this way, it is a more specific object of the present technology to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method that allow students without prior knowledge to touch the essence of the subject and acquire a sense of system construction. It is.

  In order to achieve these objectives, this technology is a “system area” for facilitating the above-mentioned observations, a system that enables students to step into the internal structure and think about its mechanism. Students are presented with a display screen that consists of a "model area" that abstracts the essence and a "processing area" that describes the mechanism for moving the model in words understood by the machine.

  In addition, the screen is devised to provide multiple hints of awareness for thinking about the system's internal mechanism. This awareness also gives students confidence and gives them incentives to go further into their education. In addition to making the system structure, model area, and processing area move in association with each other, in addition to notifying the internal structure, it is easy to confirm the results of your own ideas. The purpose is also to facilitate faculty education.

  Hereinafter, the present technology will be specifically described.

<System overview>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a system to which the present technology is applied.

  The system shown in FIG. 1 includes a network 11, a server 12, and a terminal 13. The network 11 may be either wired or wireless, and may be a mixture of wired and wireless. The server 12 provides software described later to the terminal 13 side. This software is software that can be used for learning programming, and is described as a teaching material here as appropriate.

  The terminal 13 is a device on the user side, and is a device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone. In the system shown in FIG. 1, teaching materials are supplied from the server 12 to the terminal 13 via the network 11. The terminal 13 is configured so that the user can learn using the learning material by providing the supplied learning material to the user.

  Here, the description is continued assuming that the learning material is supplied from the server 12 to the terminal 13 via the network 11, but a configuration in which the learning material (software) is stored in the terminal 13 may be used.

<Terminal configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the terminal 13.

  In the terminal 13, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33 are connected to each other by a bus 34. An input / output interface 35 is further connected to the bus 34. An input unit 36, an output unit 37, a storage unit 38, a communication unit 39, and a drive 40 are connected to the input / output interface 35.

  The input unit 36 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and the like. The output unit 37 includes a display, a speaker, and the like. The storage unit 38 includes a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The communication unit 39 includes a network interface and the like. The drive 40 drives a removable medium 41 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.

  In the terminal 13 configured as described above, the CPU 31 uses, for example, software (teaching material) stored in the storage unit 38 or software supplied from the server 12 via the communication unit 39 as an input / output interface 35 and a bus. The program is loaded into the RAM 33 via 34 and executed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a screen displayed on the display 51 configuring the output unit 37 of the terminal 13.

  The screen displayed on the display 51 has three areas: a system area 61, a model area 62, and a processing area 63. The system area 61 is an area for displaying the world to be systematized, the model area 62 is an area for displaying data and data structures, and the processing area 63 is an area for displaying data processing procedures.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the program includes “data structure definition” and “data processing procedure”. The “data processing procedure” is, for example, processing such as data reading or substitution. The processing area 63 will be described on the assumption that a program for defining a data structure and a program for defining a data processing procedure are written.

<First display screen>
A specific example is shown in FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 4 is a screen when the game system is used as a teaching material. In the system area 61, one scene of the game is displayed. One scene of the game shown in FIG. 4 is composed of land and river, and there are parts such as a sandy road, a green place, a small mountain, and a tree on the land. Characters that move in the game screen are also displayed as bridges and users. In addition, on the bottom side of such a screen, direction keys for moving the character are also displayed.

  Numbers are displayed in the model area 62. In the model area 62, data and a data structure are displayed. Hereinafter, numbers in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction in the figure) and numbers in the Y-axis direction (vertical direction in the figure) of the model area 62 are used as coordinates, and predetermined coordinates are represented as data (X, Y). For example, the data (0, 00) is “5”, and the data (1,0) is “3”.

  In FIG. 4, one scene of the game in the system area 61 is composed of 10 × 10 squares, and data of each square is described in the model area 62. Here, a case is shown in which there is a correspondence relationship between the coordinates where each cell in the system area 61 is located and the coordinates where the data in the model area 62 is located. The system area 61 is composed of 10 × 10 squares. In the model area 62, image data in each 10 × 10 square is described in each 10 × 10 square.

  The bottom row of the model area 62 is data used for control other than the 10 × 10 square in the system area 61. In the bottom row, for example, a directional key directed flag in the system area 61 is displayed.

  Although the coordinate value is not shown in the system area 61, the description is continued assuming that the same value as the coordinate value shown in the model area 62 is assigned, and the predetermined coordinate is changed to the coordinate (X, Y ). For example, the coordinate (0, 00) is “river” and the coordinate (1, 00) is “tree”.

  When the relationship with the data in the model area 62 is shown, the “river” at the coordinates (0, 00) corresponds to “5” at the data (0, 00), and the “tree” at the coordinates (1,0). "Corresponds to" 3 "of the data (1,0).

  A user who is given a screen as shown in FIG. 4 as a teaching material guesses the correspondence between the system area 61 and the model area 62. For example, as described above, “river” at coordinates (0, 00) corresponds to “5” in data (0, 00), and the picture “river” is represented by data “5”. I guess that. Similarly, the “tree” at the coordinates (1,0) corresponds to “3” in the data (1,0), and it is assumed that the picture “tree” is represented by “3”. .

  The user can confirm whether or not such an estimation is correct by changing the data in the model area 62 in practice. An example of the screen when changing is described with reference to another screen. Although illustration is omitted here, when a predetermined operation such as clicking is performed on the data to be changed, the data is displayed. A dialog box for data input is opened in the vicinity, and data can be input (changed) using the dialog box.

  Alternatively, when a predetermined operation such as a click is performed on the data to be changed, the cursor may be positioned on the data and the data can be directly input (changed). . Any data input method and input screen may be used.

  When the data in the model area 62 is changed, the picture in the corresponding cell in the system area 61 is also changed corresponding to the change. For example, assume that the user changes “5” of data (0, 00) to “3”. Since “5” in the data represents a river and “3” in the data represents a tree, when “5” is changed to “3”, the picture in the square is changed from “river” to “tree”. Is done. The user can confirm that “3” is data representing “tree” in this case by making such a data change and confirming the change of the picture in the square.

  In this way, the user can predict and confirm which data in the model area 62 represents what picture of which cell in the system area 61.

  The display in the model area 62 is not limited to the format shown in FIG. 4 and may be displayed in another display format. That is, if the display is easy for the user (learner) to learn that the system displayed in the system area 61 and the data (data structure) displayed in the model area 62 are related. good.

  When a direction key in the system area 61 is operated, the character moves in accordance with the operation. When the character moves, the data in the model area 62 corresponding to the movement is changed. That is, when there is a change in the system area 61, the corresponding data in the model area 62 is also changed according to the change.

  By the way, when the character displayed in the system area 61 moves by operating the direction key, it is not a preferable movement to walk on the river or on the tree. It is necessary to make control so that nothing happens.

  When such a teaching material is given, the user considers how the character's movement should be controlled. That is, as described above, it should be controlled not to walk on the river or on the tree. In order to perform such control, what data processing procedure should be described as a program is considered. The considered program is described in the processing area 63 and can be executed.

  That is, in the processing area 63, a program for controlling the display of the screen in the system area 61 and the movement of the character is written. Based on the processing procedure of the program written in the processing area 63, the data in the model area 62 is changed, and in response to the change, display of the screen in the system area 61, movement of the character, and the like are controlled. The user writes a program in the processing area 63, and based on the written program, whether or not the control is performed as intended by the user is determined by looking at the display in the system area 61 or the movement of the character. Can be confirmed.

  In this way, the user considers what kind of data processing is necessary, describes it as a program in the processing area 63, checks the operation of the program, and corrects the program if it is not a desired operation. It can be performed. And programming can be learned by performing such a series of processes.

  Further, when the data in the model area 62 is changed by the program described in the processing area 63, the corresponding part such as the image in the system area 61 is also changed in accordance with the change. The user can follow such a series of changes, and by following the series of changes, the user can recognize and learn the relationship between the data and the data processing procedure, the relationship with the screen actually displayed, and the like. it can.

  Such a case will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 again. Referring to FIG. 5, when a predetermined operation such as a touch is performed on the system area 61, for example, an icon indicating such an operation (in FIG. The shape icon) is displayed, and the data in the model area 62 corresponding to the operation is changed. The user can learn which data (data structure) in the model area 62 is changed in response to the operation performed by the user in the system area 61.

  Further, when the data in the model area 62 is changed by the user, the image or character operation in the system area 61 corresponding to the change is changed. In the model area 62, the user can learn which system in the system area 61 is changed in response to the data changed by the user.

  In addition, referring to FIG. 6, a program is described in the processing area 63. For example, when an execution button is operated, processing based on the described program is started. As a result, the data in the model area 62 is changed, and the operation of the image or character in the system area 61 is changed in response to the change in the data in the model area 62. The user can learn which data (data structure) is changed and which system is changed based on the program described by the user.

  In this way, by providing the system area 61, the model area 62, and the processing area 63 in one screen, it is possible to learn the relationship between the system, data (data structure), and data processing procedure (program). become.

  The teaching material on the game screen shown in FIG. 4 is referred again. From the teaching material having the screen shown in FIG. 4, for example, the following is given to a user (for example, a student) as an examination subject. And a user learns programming etc. by thinking about the means for solving the examination subject.

For example, as examination task 1, how should we take out the type of square on which the character stands?
How to determine whether the character can move up, down, left, or right as the second task.
What kind of improvement is necessary to express a map of 100 squares or more as the study subject 3?
As examination subject 4, how should we take out a 3x3 cell centering on the character?

  In order to solve these examination issues, the user proceeds with learning by considering which data is referred to and what program should be created.

  For example, to control the character so that it does not walk on the river or tree, consider Study Task 2 and Study Task 4, and in which direction the river or tree is in the 3x3 square centered on the character Learn that there is a need to create a program to determine if there is and determine the direction to proceed.

  In this way, by applying the present technology, it is possible to provide a teaching material that allows the user to learn programming.

<Second display screen>
The second display screen will be referred to and further explanation will be given for the above. The second display screen is a teaching material for simulating a sensing system in a living environment. As will be described in order, the user is given such instructional materials, for example, to prevent children from staying up late, to turn off the television receiver at 22:00. Is given the problem of what kind of program should be created, and proceeds with learning through trial and error to solve the problem.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the second display screen. Similarly to the first display screen shown in FIG. 4, the second display screen is a screen on which three areas of the system area 61, the model area 62, and the processing area 63 are displayed on one screen.

  For the living environment sensing system, a screen representing the living environment is displayed in the system area 61. For description, the screen displayed in the system area 61 is extracted and shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the time 101 is displayed at the upper left of the system area 61. The living environment is an environment having four rooms, a room 102, a room 103, a room 104, and a room 105. For example, a sensor such as a human sensor is installed in each room. It is assumed that the environment can detect whether or not.

  A person 106 exists in the room 102, a person 107 exists in the room 103, and a person 108 exists in the room 105. In the following description, the description continues with the setting that the person 106 and the person 107 are adults and the person 108 is a child.

  The room 102 is a kitchen, the room 103 is a living room, and a television receiver 109 is installed in the living room. The room 104 is an entrance hall and is provided with a door 110. A room 105 is a children's room, and a television receiver 111 is installed.

  Although not marked, electrical appliances and windows are also installed. The living environment of the system area 61 is a living space that assumes the real world, and is a teaching material that assumes a system composed of sensors and actuators (actuators) arranged in the living space.

  Examples of the sensor include a human sensor as described above. Also, a sensor is attached to the electrical appliance, and the system can detect the state of the electrical appliance, for example, the power on / off state. In addition, when a predetermined operation such as tapping or clicking is performed on the television receiver 109 or the television receiver 111 displayed in the system area 61, for example, the power on / off state is changed. It is configured to be switched.

  In addition, the door 110 and the window can be opened and closed by performing a predetermined operation such as tapping or clicking. Further, each of the person 106, the person 107, and the person 108 is configured to be able to take a predetermined action such as moving a room, sitting on a sofa, or sleeping when a predetermined operation such as tap or click is performed. Has been.

  For example, when the user performs a predetermined operation such as tapping or clicking on the entrance door 110, a dialog box 131 is displayed near the door 110 as shown in FIG. The dialog box 131 displays three options: “open door”, “lock”, and “cancel”. The option “open door” is an option displayed when the door 110 is closed, and is an option operated when the door 110 is opened. When the dialog box 131 is displayed when the door 110 is opened, the option “close the door” is selected.

  The option “lock” is an option displayed when the door 110 is not locked, and is an option selected when locking the key. The option “cancel” is an option selected when the displayed dialog box 131 is closed without selecting another option.

  Although not shown, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the person 106, a dialog box is displayed near the person 106. In the displayed dialog box, for example, options such as “move to living room” and “move to entrance”, “fire” and “open the refrigerator” are displayed.

  Further, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the television receiver 109, a dialog box may be displayed near the television receiver 109. If the television receiver 109 is set to be instructed only to turn on / off the power, a dialog box option “ON” or “OFF” may be displayed. . Alternatively, when a predetermined operation is performed on the television receiver 109 while the television receiver 109 is turned on, the power is turned off without displaying a dialog box or the like. It is also possible to configure.

  In this way, assuming a real world drawn in the system area 61, when a predetermined operation is performed on the replicated living space, a process corresponding to the predetermined operation, for example, the dialog described above A box 131 or the like is displayed so that the user can make a desired change.

  When a change is made in the system area 61, the data in the model area 62 is also changed in accordance with the change. Here, the description is returned to the screen shown in FIG.

  In the model area 62, as with the first display screen on which one scene of the game is displayed, data relating to operations such as the screen drawn in the system area 61 and the alternation displayed in the screen are displayed. It is displayed.

  The model area 62 shown in FIG. 7 is data related to the living space displayed in the system area 61, and includes data for drawing, the power state of the television receiver, and data such as a room where people are present. It is displayed.

  In the model area 62 shown in FIG. 7, there is data in which the background color in the square is displayed in gray. For example, the data (2,000) has a gray background color and the number is “0”. The data displayed in the gray background is data that cannot be changed by the user.

  For example, the data regarding the wall of the living space displayed in the system area 61 is data that cannot be changed by the user. The wall usually cannot move in the real space, and its arrangement is not changed. Therefore, the data for drawing is not set to the data to be changed by the user, and a display indicating that the data cannot be changed is displayed.

  In addition, this teaching material is not a teaching material for the living environment sensing system, but a teaching material for the interior of the living environment, and the design of the wall color etc. can be changed and such a simulation can be used to learn something. In the case of the teaching material, the data related to the wall is data that can be changed by the user, and is displayed in the same manner as other data that can be changed.

  When data in the model area 62 is changed, a dialog box may be displayed so that the change can be instructed using the dialog box. One such example is shown in FIG. A dialog box 151 is displayed in the model area 62 shown in FIG.

  When a predetermined operation such as tapping or clicking is performed on the data (0, 00) in the model area 62, a dialog box 151 is displayed near the data (0, 00). In the upper part of the dialog box 151, a column 161 for displaying the input number is provided. In the right side of this column 161, in FIG. 10, where the number “11” is displayed, the input number is displayed. In the left side of the column 161, in FIG. 10, a range of numbers that can be input is displayed where a number “0-23” is displayed.

  Data (0, 00) is data representing the time of the time 101 (FIG. 8) in the system area 61. In the case of 24-hour display, since 0:00 to 23:59 are displayed, the number displayed as the time is a number from 0 to 23. Therefore, since the numbers that can be entered in the data (0, 00) are the numbers from 0 to 23, “0-23” is displayed on the left side of the column 161, and the numbers that can be entered by the user. A range of is shown.

  On the lower side of the column 161 of the dialog box 151 (FIG. 10), a numeric key 162 for inputting a number in the column 161 is displayed. The user can input a desired number in the column 161 by operating the number key 162. Below the numeric key 162, there is a button 163 called “Cancel” that is operated when canceling the data change, and a button called “OK” that is operated when changing the data with the number entered in the column 161. It is displayed.

  The user can change the data in the model area 62 using such a dialog box 151. Note that a mechanism may be provided in which data in the model area 62 is changed without displaying the dialog box 151. For example, referring to FIG. 10, the square of data (0, 00) that has been changed by the user is displayed in a different background color from the other squares. As described above, the data (numerical value) of the square displayed in a background color different from that of the other square may be configured to be directly changeable.

  When the data in the model area 62 is changed, drawing corresponding to the change is performed on the image in the system area 61. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the data related to the time of the data (0, 00) is changed, the display of the time portion of the time 101 in the system area 61 is changed according to the change.

  When the user changes the data in the model area 62, the user recognizes that a part of the living space displayed in the system area 61 is changed, so that the data in the model area 62 and the data in the system area 61 are changed. Recognize (learn) the relationship with drawing. Further, it recognizes (learns) how the data in the model area 62 is changed in the living environment in the system area 61.

  In this way, the user can learn the relationship between the system in the system area 61 and the data in the model area 62.

  Further, for example, when it is desired to automatically advance the time 101 in the system area 61 by one hour, it can be executed by writing a predetermined program in the processing area 63. It is configured. In this case, in order to advance the time 101 in the system area 61 by one hour, the user must create a program that shows the procedure for changing which data in the model area 62 and how the data should be processed. You can learn programming by thinking about what to do.

  FIG. 11 shows a display example of the processing area 63. A tab is displayed at the top of the processing area 63. In the example shown in FIG. 11, four tabs 181-1 to 181-4 are displayed, and the tab 181-4 is a tab operated when it is desired to add a tab.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, the tab 181-1 is opened. Below the tab 181, a column 182 is provided in which a program indicating a data structure definition and a data processing procedure is described. A column 182 is provided for each tab 181 so that a program can be written for each tab. Also, below the column 182, buttons 183-1 to 183-3 for setting how to execute the program are displayed.

  The button 183-1 is a button “execute when model is updated”, and is used to perform a setting to execute the program described in the column 182 when the data in the model area 62 is updated (changed). The button to be operated.

  The button 183-2 is, for example, a button “execute every second”, and is a button operated when setting to execute the program described in the column 182 every elapse of one second. It is also possible to use a button for setting the program to be executed every time specified by the user instead of one second.

  The button 183-3 is a button called “execute”, and is a button that is operated when setting to execute the program described in the column 182 immediately. That is, when the button 183-3 is operated, the program described in the column 182 is executed when the button 183-3 is operated.

  In this way, the processing area 63 is, for example, a command for executing processing described in JavaScript (registered trademark) on the spot by executing an eval function (JavaScript (registered trademark) code given as a character string) under specified conditions. ) Is provided as an area for execution. In the processing area 63, a plurality of codes (programs) can be registered, and an execution method can be set for each code.

  The user can confirm the change in the system area 61 by describing the program in the column 182 and actually executing the program. If the change in the system area 61 is a desired change, it can be confirmed that the described program is correct, and if it is not the desired change, the described program can be corrected. You can learn by repeating these things.

  In this way, by providing the system area 61, the model area 62, and the processing area 63 in one screen, it is possible to learn the relationship between the system, data (data structure), and data processing procedure (program). become.

  Reference is again made to the teaching material on the screen of the sensing system in the living environment shown in FIG. From the teaching material having the screen shown in FIG. 7, for example, the following is given as an examination subject, and the user learns by considering means for solving the examination subject.

For example, how to determine whether a child stays up late as study question 1.
As Study Task 2, what improvements should be made to prevent children from staying up late?
As examination subject 3, how do you realize home crime prevention system?

  In order to solve these examination problems, the user can learn by referring to which data is referred to and what program should be created.

  For example, by examining the examination subject 1, the time of the time 101 is used as a criterion, and when the time of the time 101 becomes “22:00”, the electricity of the child room 105 and the television receiver 111 are attached. If it is determined that the child is staying up late, in order to be able to make such a determination, which data in the model area 62 is referred to, what program is created, and the processing area 63 You can learn what to write in.

  Furthermore, when the user can solve the study problem 1, the user examines the study problem 2, and when it is determined that the child is staying up late, the user examines how to prevent the stay-up. For example, if the television receiver 111 in the children's room 105 is turned on after 22:00, or if the idea of turning off the television receiver 111 is considered, 111 is a program for confirming which data in the model area 62 is on or off, and turning off the power of the television receiver 111 at 22:00 in the processing area 63. The user can learn that it needs to be created and listed.

  For example, if a program is created that turns off the power of the television receiver 111 when the data representing time becomes larger than 22, the television receiver 111 is set at 22:00. Is turned off. However, under the condition “when the data representing time becomes larger than 22”, when the time passes 0:00, the condition is not satisfied. The John receiver 111 can be turned on. This is not a presumed system behavior but a logical malfunction.

  The user learns such a thing and creates a program for improving. Learning can be promoted by repeating this process.

  In this way, by applying the present technology, it is possible to provide a teaching material that allows the user to learn programming.

<Display of changed data>
Incidentally, when the system area 61 is changed, the data in the model area 62 is changed in accordance with the change. When the present technology is used as a teaching material, it is important for the user to recognize that the data in the model region 62 is changed when the system region 61 is changed. For example, when the screen as shown in FIG. 7 is provided to the user as teaching materials, when the power of the television receiver 111 in the system area 61 is turned on or off, which data in the model area 62 However, let the user recognize how it is changed and notice the relationship between the system and the model.

  For example, when the television receiver 111 is turned on, the corresponding data in the model area 62 is changed at almost the same timing as when the operation to turn on the television receiver 111 is performed. In this case, since the user is watching the vicinity of the television receiver 111 in order to perform an operation of turning on the television receiver 111, it is confirmed that the data in the model area 62 has been changed. I miss it.

  In such a case, the relationship between the system and the model cannot be learned, which is considered undesirable. Thus, when a user performs a predetermined operation on the system area 61 and some change occurs, for example, the user can sufficiently move his line of sight from the system area 61 to the model area 62. The corresponding data in the model area 62 may be changed after the time has elapsed.

  In this way, when the user makes a change in the system area 61, it is possible to easily recognize that the data in the model area 62 corresponding to the change is changed.

  Further, the changed data may be displayed with a color so that the changed data in the model area 62 can be seen at a glance. A case where data is displayed in such a color will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 illustrates the model area 62, and shows the time when the data (2, 20) in the model area 62 is changed due to a change in the system area 61. The data (2, 20) is displayed in a background color different from that of the other data so that it can be distinguished from the other data. By making the background color different from other data, the changed data can be recognized at a glance.

  The background color before change is assumed to be white. The background color of the changed data is a relatively conspicuous color other than white. For example, here, it is assumed that the color is yellow (FIG. 12 shows an example in which black-and-white reverse display is performed, but the description is continued assuming that the background color is yellow). The background color of the changed data is displayed in dark yellow. And as time passes, the yellow color gradually fades and eventually returns to white. In this way, an animation in which the color gradually changes can be performed and displayed.

  Furthermore, attention is paid to the square of the data (2, 20). In the upper left of the square of the data (2, 20), a number “0” is displayed small, and a right arrow is displayed to the right of the number “0”. At the end of the arrow, the number “1” is displayed large in the center of the square.

  A number displayed in a small size in the upper left of the square, in this case, a number “0” is the number before the change. A number displayed large in the center of the square, in this case, a number “1” is a number after the change. That is, the user can read that the data has been changed from 0 to 1 by looking at the numbers in the squares of the data (2, 20). The number (the value of the data before the change) displayed small in the upper left becomes thin as time passes, and is finally hidden.

  Thus, by changing the background color, it is possible to inform the user which data has been changed. Then, by writing the value before the change and the value after the change, the user can know how the data has been changed. By making such a display easy to understand, the learning effect can be enhanced.

  Here, it has been described that when there is a change in the system area 61, the background color of the square of the data in the model area 62 corresponding to the change is changed, or values before and after the change are displayed. When the data in the model area 62 is changed by the user, the display of the background color is changed or the values before and after the change are similarly displayed for the changed data square. You may be made to do.

  In addition, when the program described in the processing area 63 is executed, the background color is changed with respect to the square of the data in the model area 62 even when the system area 61 and the model area 62 are changed. Or a display in which values before and after the change are displayed may be executed.

  More clearly, a mechanism for allowing the user to recognize the changed portion may be provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 15, display may be performed such that the changed portion is represented by an arrow.

  In the screen related to the living environment sensing system shown in FIG. 13, the arrow 201 is displayed when the door 110 in the system area 61 is changed because the data (0, 30) in the model area 62 is changed. The A circle is displayed at the start point and the end point of the arrow 201, and the change portion is clearly displayed. That is, the circle at the start point of the arrow 201 is displayed at the data (0, 30) in the model area 62, and indicates that the data at the changed portion is the data (0, 30).

  The circle at the end point of the arrow 201 is displayed at the door 110 in the system area 61, and the change destination is the door 110. For example, it indicates that the door 110 has been changed to open or close. As described above, when there is a change in the model area 62, the model area is connected by connecting the data in the model area 62 and the location in the system area 61 that has changed due to the change. It becomes possible for the user to clearly recognize the relationship between the data in 62 and the corresponding part in the system area 61.

  In the screen relating to the sensing system for the living environment shown in FIG. 14, the arrow 202 indicates the data (2, 20) in the model area 62 because a predetermined operation has been performed on the television receiver 111 in the system area 61. ) Is displayed when changed. In this case, the circle at the start point of the arrow 202 is displayed at the television receiver 111 in the system area 61, and the change group is the television receiver 111. For example, the power of the television receiver 111 is turned on or off. It means that there was a change such as.

  The circle at the end point of the arrow 202 is displayed at the data (2, 20) in the model area 62, indicating that the data to be changed is data (2, 20). In this way, when there is a change in the system area 61, the location in the system area 61 and the data that has changed in the model area 62 due to the change are connected by an arrow, so that the system area It becomes possible for the user to clearly recognize the relationship between the location where the change is made in 61 and the corresponding data in the model area 62.

  In the screen related to the sensing system for the living environment shown in FIG. 15, the arrow 203 is displayed when the data (0, 00) in the model area 62 is changed because the program described in the processing area 63 is executed. Is done. The arrow 204 is displayed when the time 101 in the system area 61 is changed because the data (0, 00) in the model area 62 has been changed.

  In this case, the circle (point) of the starting point of the arrow 203 is displayed at the tag of the program being executed in the processing area 63 (tag 181-1 in FIG. 15), and the program of the processing area 63 is changed based on the change group. Indicates that it is due to being executed. In the display shown in FIG. 15, the start point of the arrow 204 is a point instead of a circle. Thus, it may be a point instead of a circle, and any display that allows the user to clearly recognize the start point of the change may be used.

  The circle at the end point of the arrow 203 is displayed at the data (0, 00) in the model area 62, indicating that the data to be changed is data (0, 00). In this case, when the arrow 203 is displayed, it can be read that the program described and executed in the processing area 63 is a program for changing the data (0, 00) in the model area 62.

  The arrow 204 is displayed when the time at the time 101 in the system area 61 is changed because the data (0, 00) in the model area 62 has been changed. The circle at the start point of the arrow 204 is displayed at the data (0, 00) in the model area 62, and indicates that the data at the changed portion is the data (0, 00). The circle at the end point of the arrow 204 is displayed at the time portion of the time 101 in the system area 61 and indicates that the change destination is time.

  As described above, when the program described in the processing area 63 is executed, it is connected with the data changed in the model area 62 by the program by the arrow, and the data changed in the model area 62; By connecting the location where the change has occurred in the system area 61 by the arrow, the relationship between the program in the processing area 63, the data in the model area 62, and the corresponding location in the system area 61 can be obtained. It becomes possible to make a user recognize clearly.

  The displayed arrow may be displayed as an animation. For example, an indication that an arrow is displayed and the color fades with time, or an arrow that gradually extends from the starting point to reach the target location (end point), and then disappears gradually from the starting point after a certain period of time. Alternatively, display that is emitted from the change source to the change destination may be performed. In addition, although described here as an arrow, a display in which the change source and the change destination are connected by a line may be used.

  In addition, the display of such an arrow and the display described with reference to FIG. 12 in which the background color of the data in the model area 62 has been changed may be performed at the same time. It is possible to configure such that only one of them is performed.

  As described above, according to the present technology, learning such as programming can be performed efficiently and deeper learning can be performed.

  As described above, in the present technology, a (partial) system having a scale that can be accommodated on one screen is used as a teaching material, and the screen includes three states indicating a system state, a model state (data structure + data content), and a processing content (algorithm). The screen has a display area. The system state and model state in the screen are configured so that the state can be changed by a predetermined operation such as touch or click.

  Then, the associated model state and system state are changed in conjunction with the change. The registered process is executed by a predetermined operation such as touch or click. By repeating these interactive operations, the learner can develop the ability to read and understand the system mechanism presented in the teaching materials.

  According to the present technology, it is possible to understand a state of a target system, a data structure inside the computer, its data, an algorithm for data processing, and an understanding of a system mechanism.

  In addition, based on the system presented by the teaching materials to which this technology is applied, the design ability that understands the whole system can be cultivated by discussing the system expansion method.

  In addition, the teaching materials to which this technology is applied can extend the learning goal of “understanding the grammar of programming languages” to “awareness of the entire system and giving incentives to continuous learning”. You will be able to develop the ability to logically discuss system problems and improvements, even if you do not learn specialized elemental technology. Furthermore, in the case of teaching materials such as the living environment sensing system described above, it can be expected that the technical elements of the hardware such as sensors and actuators can be understood naturally, and the interest in each elemental technology can be increased. Learning is possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, a screen having three display areas indicating the system state, the model state (data structure + data content), and the processing content (algorithm) is described as an example. Instead of providing three display areas on one screen, two display areas may be provided.

  For example, two areas of an area for displaying the system state (system area 61) and an area for displaying the model state (model area 62) may be displayed on one screen. Alternatively, two areas of an area for displaying the system status (system area 61) and an area for displaying processing contents (processing area 63) may be displayed on one screen.

  In the above-described embodiment, the teaching material has been described as a body, but the present technology does not indicate that the scope of application is limited to the teaching material. The present technology can also be applied to electronic teaching materials, e-learning, programming languages / tools for education, tools such as games, editors, and the like.

<About recording media>
The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in the computer. Here, the computer includes, for example, a general-purpose personal computer capable of executing various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware and various programs.

  The program executed by the CPU 31 of the terminal 13 shown in FIG. 2 can be provided by being recorded in the removable medium 41 such as a package medium. The program can be provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

  In the computer, the program can be installed in the storage unit 38 via the input / output interface 35 by attaching the removable medium 41 to the drive 40. The program can be received by the communication unit 39 via a wired or wireless transmission medium and installed in the storage unit 38. In addition, the program can be installed in the ROM 32 or the storage unit 38 in advance.

  The program executed by the computer may be a program that is processed in time series in the order described in this specification, or in parallel or at a necessary timing such as when a call is made. It may be a program for processing.

  The embodiments of the present technology are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present technology.

  11 network, 12 server, 13 terminal, 61 system area, 62 model area, 63 processing area, 131 dialog box, 151 dialog box, 201 to 204 arrows

Claims (12)

Within one screen,
A first area for displaying system status;
A second region for displaying the model state ;
A third area for displaying processing contents ,
If there is a change in one area of the first area or the second area, change the location corresponding to the change in the other area ,
When there is a place changed in the second area by executing the processing content displayed in the third area, the place changed in the third area and the second area When there is a place changed in the first area due to a change in the second area by displaying a connecting arrow, the place changed in the second area and the inside of the first area An information processing device that displays an arrow connecting the points changed in step 1 . By processing content displayed in the third region is executed, when there is a change in the corresponding part of the second region, and change the appropriate portion of the second region, the first The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a location of the first area corresponding to a location where the area of 2 is changed is changed. The first area displays the world to be systematized, the second area displays data or a data structure for displaying the world to be systematized, and the third area the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, program for controlling to the world of the systematization object is displayed. When a predetermined operation is performed on the first area or the second area and a change is instructed, the instructed change is executed in the area where the predetermined operation is performed, and the predetermined area The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion corresponding to the change is changed in a region different from the region where the operation is performed. When a predetermined operation is performed on the first area, a plurality of changes are displayed in the vicinity of the place where the predetermined operation is performed,
When one change content of the plurality of change content is selected by the user, the selected change content is used to change the place where the predetermined operation is performed in the first area,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion that is changed by executing the change in the second area is changed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the third area has a configuration in which a plurality of processing contents can be registered separately, and each of the registered processing contents is executed at an arbitrary timing. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processing content displayed in the third area is continuously executed at regular intervals. When the processing content displayed in the third area, the model state of the second region is changed, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 to be executed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portion changed in the second region is displayed with a background color different from that of the other portion. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion changed in the second area is displayed with values before and after the change. 2. When there is a change in one area of the first area or the second area, and a place corresponding to the change in the other area is also changed, an arrow connecting the changed places is displayed. The information processing apparatus described in 1. In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus including a display unit,
In one screen of the display unit,
A first area for displaying system status;
A second region for displaying the model state ;
Control the display of the screen including the third area for displaying the processing content ;
If there is a change in one area of the first area or the second area, change the location corresponding to the change in the other area ,
When there is a place changed in the second area by executing the processing content displayed in the third area, the place changed in the third area and the second area When there is a place changed in the first area due to a change in the second area by displaying a connecting arrow, the place changed in the second area and the inside of the first area The information processing method including the step which displays the arrow which connects the location changed in (4) .

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