Yu-Chun Liu

This study aims to investigate the sensory preferences of children aged 8–12 regarding the material and characteristics of wooden toys. Taking wooden rocking horses as research samples, this study selected three types of wood, respectively Pinus taiwanensis, Fagus sylvatica, and Juglans nigra, which are significantly different in appearance from solid wood commonly used to make wooden toys. The experiment was conducted through on-site observation and questionnaire surveys to record children’s preferences for wood characteristics, such as the characteristic factors of wood texture, color and luster, touch, weight, smell, and overall preference. Descriptive statistics and analysis were performed using SPSS 25V, and the experimental results were analyzed and interpreted using fuzzy trigonometric functions. The findings reveal that Taiwan pine had the highest average worth score among the various evaluation characteristics in terms of wood surface performance preferences. Other types of wood also showed different favorability results in different characteristics. This study also analyzes the correlation and significant differences in favorability evaluation using fuzzy theory. This study provides insights that can be useful for toy designers and children’s teaching aid developers to purchase and match wooden toys effectively while promoting the efficient use of wood resources.

The importance of vocational training and capacity assessment has grown since the 1980s. Vocational education is an important foundation for societal and economic development. Therefore, it is crucial to develop vocational training and education that meet the demands of the labor market. Modern industrial structure is different from that of the past, creating an imbalance in the supply and demand of the labor force. The purpose of the Skills Competition (the collective term for the regional competition under the Taiwan National Skills Competition in this research) is to encourage the young generation to participate in vocational education and training, thereby further improving the effect and efficiency of learning and training. In order to develop suitable indicators for the joinery trade of the regional competition, Taiwan National Skills Competition (hereinafter referred to as the Regional Competition), we first identify the level of importance of each indicator. Firstly, this study formed a hierarchical structure via the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) with six training indicators (drawings, internal and external joints, assembly, measurements, finishing and appearance, and application of materials), and 27 sub-indicators were developed on the basis of these six major indicators. Secondly, in order to develop suitable training indicators for the joinery trade of the Regional Competition, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP) was adopted to seek the relative weight value of each indicator by assessing subjects through a paired-comparison. The results show that, among the six indicators, the relative weight value of measurements was the highest, followed by finishing and appearance and drawings. The indicators with higher relative weight value, such as measurement and finishing and appearance, should be paid more attention during the training processes. It is hoped that these results be presented to the trainers or instructors of training institutions or vocational schools as a reference to improve their training models, strategies, and quality.