Improving the Usability of Manga-on-a-Tablet for Collaborative Learning

The purpose of this study was to develop a tablet PC version of a system that promotes the learning of knowledge and skills related to science teaching, and to investigate its effectiveness. The characteristic feature of this system is that it supports collaborative learning through discussions based on case method materials by a manga (comic strip). The system makes students read scenes of a children’s experiment displayed on the screen in the form of a manga. Touch operations on parts of interest enable students to point pins. Pins are color-coded in four colors. Students use the share functions to share awareness with each other and hold discussions to solve problems. We conducted an experimental evaluation with university students who intended to become elementary school teachers. The evaluation showed that the proposed system is effective in promoting discussion through the sharing of awareness.