Enhancing outside-class learning using ubiquitous learning log system

In this paper, we have tackled one of the major problems in English education in Japan, the learning time shortage problem. In order to solve this problem, we have used the system called SCROLL (System for Capturing and Reminding Of Learning Log) developed by our team. We conducted an evaluation to examine whether our system could boost up outside-class learning time. We provided the participants, 24 university freshmen, with an e-book application as a reading material together with the system and encouraged them to learn outside-class. The result showed that outside-class learning time dramatically increased only when they read an e-book together with the System even though no statistically significant difference was detected since individual differences were so large. Though we expected that interesting outside-class learning materials would push them to learn more outside class, the result showed that it was the System that pushed them to study outside class. Whether they used e-book or not, the average learning time of without-SCROLL learning was almost the same. Therefore the use of the System could be one of the factors which contributed to the students' more involvement in outside-class learning. We believe that it will lead to compensation of a lack of learning time.