A Developing Method Applied Database Techniques for Web-based Japanese Conversation Learning Software

It has been a common practice to develop language-learning software using authoring tools such as HyperCard and ToolBook II Assistant, where the system data is incorporated into the software. Developed with the authoring tools, the software only operates in the specific working environment selected at the time of its development (e.g. run on the computer or the web; accessed from the mobile or PDA terminals), which makes it difficult to reuse the same data in a different environment. Accordingly, the author fosters a method for developing multimedia language learning software with database techniques, which renders the data easily reusable. If multimedia data is stored in the database and each aforementioned working environment is given its own individual script, it is possible to create a web page, which accommodates the user’s environment variables. Accordingly, the author has established a method for developing multimedia language learning software using database techniques, and created the software for Japanese. This demonstration exemplifies the method for designing the database and its product.