Introducing a Discussion Support System using Individual Audio Instruction to Activate Passive Members

This paper proposes a system that supports a member whose utterance ratio in a group is smaller than other members. In this study, we targeted learning activities via face-to-face discussion in a small group. The ratios of utterance are often biased to particular members in such discussions; however, it is desirable for all members of a discussion to speak actively. To solve this problem, the proposed system provides different messages based on the utterance ratio of each member. These messages are formed to encourage passive members and are delivered to each member individually using earphones. This allows us to provide different instructions to all members of the group. The proposed system was employed in experimental discussions to evaluate the effectiveness of the individual audio instructions. The experimental results demonstrate that the ratios of utterances of the target members were improved temporarily by the individual audio instructions. However, some of the members were unaffected by the individual audio instructions and a post-discussion questionnaire revealed that such members viewed several features of the proposed system unfavorably.