Developing Teaching Materials and Instructional Machines(*2)

		Some of the teaching materials and instructional machines developed by Kiyo based on applied linguistics and audio-visual education theories are listed below.

	(1)	Vocabulary Learning Machine
		Developed through cooperation of Research Institute of Matsushita Electric Company and Theoretical Physics Laboratory of the University of California, Berkley, this machine aimed at self-study vocabulary learning, utilizing the theories of speech recognition, speech synthesis, and random access. Even though we succeeded in producing the machine’s prototype, Texas Instrument marketed a similar machine much cheaper and with higher capability, thus terminating our research.
	(2)	Disc-Type Repeater for Learning Short Phrases
		With micro grooves on rigid plastic discs and a needle automatically returning to the starting point, the machine aimed at providing learners with practice of repeating phrases or sentences no longer than 20 seconds. Since the machine that performed with more efficiency appeared on the market, our machine had to terminate its production.
	(3)	Card-Type Player-Recorder for Children
		The machine aimed at children learning English. The cards 10 cm X 30 cm fed manually by children into the receptor of the machine automatically produced recorded sounds, thus providing correct pronunciation and the “sound models.” When the children repeated after the models, their pronunciation was recorded which made it possible for them to compare the two and improve their pronunciation. Kiyo also formed a committee of college professor and teachers who developed the materials to be used on this machine.
	(4)	Telephone Conversation Lessons
		Developed jointly with Japan YMCA a series of English conversation programs for learners who dialed for 2-minute-45-second lessons. Later expanded the programs to ones intended not only for English conversation lessons but for arousing cultural interest in the English speaking countries and their people.
	(5)	Video Disc Programs
		Served General Producer in the Video Disc English Programs developed by TBS-TV, Simul International, and Toshiba Electric Company. By using the new VHD Disc Systems and professional actors and actresses in Europe and the U.S., the programs aimed at presenting visually various conversational situations. Unlike the conventional videotapes, the VHD allowed the learners to choose the lessons by utilizing the “Chapter Selection” mechanism.