Imagine a device that could customize a tutoring plan for each and every child. Now, scientists have created a robot that offers tailored lessons for each child.
MIT researchers have created a robot by the name of Tega, which is designed to serve as a one-on-one peer learner in or outside of the classroom. The new robot, in theory, may be able to help children that are falling behind with traditional teaching methods in the classroom.
Robots for education aren't new. However, Tega is leaps and bounds ahead of other robots. It can actually interpret the emotional response of the student that it's working with. Based on this response, the robot can then create a personalized motivational strategy.
Tega is a furry, brightly colored robot. It was specifically designed to enable long-term interactions with children and uses an Android device to process movement, perception and thinking. It can also respond appropriately to children's behaviors.
In fact, the robot, at first mirrored the emotional response from students - getting excited when the student was excited and distracted when the students lost focus. Then, the robot looked at the impact of each of these cues. Over time, the robot learned how cues affected a student's engagement and learning success.
"We know that learning from peers is an important way that children learn not only skills and knowledge, but also attitudes and approaches to learning such as curiosity and resilience to challenge," said Cynthia Breazeal, associate professor at the MIT Media Laboratory. "What is so fascinating is that children appear to interact with Tega as a peer-like companion in a way that opens up new opportunities to develop next-generation learning technologies that no only address the cognitive aspects of learning, like learning vocabulary, but the social and affective aspects of learning as well."
With that said, the researchers found that the personalization process continues to progress throughout eight weeks. It's likely that even more time is sometimes needed to arrive at an optimal interaction style.
Currently, the researchers hope to improve the new robot learning system and even create one for students with learning disabilities.
"A child who is more curious is able to persevere through frustration, can learn with others and will be a more successful lifelong learning," Breazeal said. "The development of next-generation learning technologies that can support the cognitive, social and emotive aspects of learning in a highly personalized way is thrilling."
