Modeling layered artificial neural networks using a visual programming paradigm

Abstract

The understanding of soft computing methodology often requires grasping abstract concepts or imagining complex interactions of large models over long computing cycles. However, this can be difficult for students with a weak background in mathematics, especially in the early stages of soft computing education. This article introduces the idea of applying a visual programming paradigm as a tool for an educational introduction to soft computing methods. IntelligentPad, proposed by Y. Tanaka, was used as the visual programming paradigm. IntelligentPad gives a visual appearance to objects or classes, and allows users to operate and link different objects together using a mouse. This article reports on using IntelligentPad to teach the basic mechanisms of artificial neural networks. The proposed method was applied to 3rd-year college students to verify its validity as a teaching method.