This can be incorporated into the teaching assistant as facial expressions is an important
element.
Surprise Expression
Joy Expression
Calm Expression
Source
Monday, 12 February 2007
Case Study: MIT Kismet
I found an interesting article from MIT which outlined a facial expressions robotic project. The project involved the development of Kismet, Kismet is able to replicate many of the expressions humans can, for example, express joy.
This can be incorporated into the teaching assistant as facial expressions is an important
element.
Source
This can be incorporated into the teaching assistant as facial expressions is an important
element.
Source
Deriving the requirements from the personas
After analysing the information we gathered from our persona's we were able to generate the requirements for our Robot Teaching Assistant.
Analysis:
It should be able to allow Serena, who has minimal technology exposure, to interact with the Robot Teaching Assistant with least supervision as possible. Serena only uses her computer with her parents so her reaction to the robot may well be a new experience.
Jason and Ben are technology aware, so reliability must be considered as a key requirement, since these users are already quite advanced with technology, they would not want the teaching assistant to have slow responses.
We can argue that Tom falls between both these groups. He has basic computing experience and has some exposure with technology as he enjoys gadgets. He may find it awkward to interact with the Robot Teaching Assistant as he has basic skills within technology disciplines.
Ben’s use of social networks and instant messaging, for instance, MSN Messenger, has resulted in Ben being impatient with technology, which is not very responsive. Furthermore, the need for a responsive teaching assistant is also backed-up by Jason gaming exposure, for example, Jason plays fast paced video games such as FIFA 2007. The responsiveness of the teaching assistant is a critical requirement due to today’s technology centric society. The responsiveness falls into a 2 categories: -
1). Movement
2). Query handling – Group and Individual interaction
Tom is preparing for his SATS (11+) exam and having the teaching assistant available during the break times would offer Tom extra support. The robot must be available at all times during the opening hours to assist with any queries. The role of the teaching assistant is to offer support throughout the day to the actual teacher; hence, the teaching assistant will be available during school hours.
Data Protection
http://www.hants.gov.uk/education/schools/dataprotection/
To comply with the school’s data protection policy, the teaching assistant must follow this policy accordingly whenever accessing school records. Furthermore, when the teaching assistant manipulates the records, the data must be updated with the central school server.
Health & Safety
The Three Laws Of Robotics, formulated by Isaac Asimov in 1942, have these basic principles: -
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
(Reference: http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/SOS/Asimov.html,
Date Accessed: 31st Jan 2007)
The teaching assistant must comply with these principles to ensure the well being of the children. This is a major area due to advancement of robotic technology.
This is not a requirement derived from the persona's, however, as it is a legislative requirement.
We can also take into consideration the health and safety of the teaching assistant. Again, this requirement is not necessarily derived from the persona's, but it is necessary that the teaching assistant be water proof to protect itself from rain/accidental spillage etc.
Sensing Emotions / Objects
After analysing the persona's, we have come to the conclusion that the robot teaching assistant must be able to sense human emotion. The persona's all had a list of fears which can affect the child's emotions. Ben, for example, has a particular fear for a teacher called Miss Darcy, whilst Jason has a fear for his next door neighbours cat Molly. These emotions can affect how the teaching assistant should perceive human interaction, so it is of vital importance that sensing is a key requirement.
Local Access with School Database
The teaching assistant should be able to access the school database for information such as school timetabling information. This is of importance, as when analysing, the persona's, each persona had a set structure for the school day and the Teaching Assistant must be able to keep track of lessons etc.
Now that we have derived the requirements from the persona's, a formal set of requirements can now be defined.
Analysis:
It should be able to allow Serena, who has minimal technology exposure, to interact with the Robot Teaching Assistant with least supervision as possible. Serena only uses her computer with her parents so her reaction to the robot may well be a new experience.
Jason and Ben are technology aware, so reliability must be considered as a key requirement, since these users are already quite advanced with technology, they would not want the teaching assistant to have slow responses.
We can argue that Tom falls between both these groups. He has basic computing experience and has some exposure with technology as he enjoys gadgets. He may find it awkward to interact with the Robot Teaching Assistant as he has basic skills within technology disciplines.
Ben’s use of social networks and instant messaging, for instance, MSN Messenger, has resulted in Ben being impatient with technology, which is not very responsive. Furthermore, the need for a responsive teaching assistant is also backed-up by Jason gaming exposure, for example, Jason plays fast paced video games such as FIFA 2007. The responsiveness of the teaching assistant is a critical requirement due to today’s technology centric society. The responsiveness falls into a 2 categories: -
1). Movement
2). Query handling – Group and Individual interaction
Tom is preparing for his SATS (11+) exam and having the teaching assistant available during the break times would offer Tom extra support. The robot must be available at all times during the opening hours to assist with any queries. The role of the teaching assistant is to offer support throughout the day to the actual teacher; hence, the teaching assistant will be available during school hours.
Data Protection
http://www.hants.gov.uk/education/schools/dataprotection/
To comply with the school’s data protection policy, the teaching assistant must follow this policy accordingly whenever accessing school records. Furthermore, when the teaching assistant manipulates the records, the data must be updated with the central school server.
Health & Safety
The Three Laws Of Robotics, formulated by Isaac Asimov in 1942, have these basic principles: -
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
(Reference: http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/SOS/Asimov.html,
Date Accessed: 31st Jan 2007)
The teaching assistant must comply with these principles to ensure the well being of the children. This is a major area due to advancement of robotic technology.
This is not a requirement derived from the persona's, however, as it is a legislative requirement.
We can also take into consideration the health and safety of the teaching assistant. Again, this requirement is not necessarily derived from the persona's, but it is necessary that the teaching assistant be water proof to protect itself from rain/accidental spillage etc.
Sensing Emotions / Objects
After analysing the persona's, we have come to the conclusion that the robot teaching assistant must be able to sense human emotion. The persona's all had a list of fears which can affect the child's emotions. Ben, for example, has a particular fear for a teacher called Miss Darcy, whilst Jason has a fear for his next door neighbours cat Molly. These emotions can affect how the teaching assistant should perceive human interaction, so it is of vital importance that sensing is a key requirement.
Local Access with School Database
The teaching assistant should be able to access the school database for information such as school timetabling information. This is of importance, as when analysing, the persona's, each persona had a set structure for the school day and the Teaching Assistant must be able to keep track of lessons etc.
Now that we have derived the requirements from the persona's, a formal set of requirements can now be defined.
The appearance dilemma – human or android?
There are two possible appearances that can be adopted, a human and android appearance.
Human appearance
The human appearance is in terms of a female or male teacher. As the target audience is under the age of 11 the children are currently in primary/junior school. Statistics have shown that the number of female teachers in primary schools is significant in relation to male teachers. For example, the guardian stated in 2005 that 15.7% of primary school teachers were male and that 47% of children aged 5 to 11 have no contact with male teachers [1]. Taking this into account it can be argued that the teaching assistant should adopt a female appearance to “blend” into the environment. Although, the guardian also stated that 25% of parents questioned were concerned about their children not having enough interaction with male primary teachers.
Android appearance
The android appearance will result in a unisex appearance. The advantage of an android appearance is that the children will be attracted to the teaching assistant, hence stimulate the children. However, it can also be argued that the children may lose concentration and may see the teaching assistance as a toy.
Both appearances were discussed and the group decided that the female appearance was the most suitable based upon a number of factors:
The majority of junior/primary school teachers are female
The teaching assistant will not be able to replicate 100% human behaviour and taking into account that 47% of children aged 5 to 11 have no contact with male teachers the children [1] may develop a certain attitude toward males
A android appearance will result in the children losing concentration and regarding the teaching assistant as a toy
Female Humanoid Requirements
- Black glasses
- Brown eyes
- Black formal jacket and trousers
- Blue top
- Silicon skin
- Black shoes
After a visit to the school the appearance requirements were derived from observations of the current teachers and the children's behaviour towards them. Furthermore the persona's were asked “who is you favourite teacher?” which aided the process. For example, Serena answered Miss Dhillion. The favourite teachers was prioritized in the analysis and common trends were identified, for example, we concluded that the teachers that wore black clothing received this highest attention from children.
[1] Source
Human appearance
The human appearance is in terms of a female or male teacher. As the target audience is under the age of 11 the children are currently in primary/junior school. Statistics have shown that the number of female teachers in primary schools is significant in relation to male teachers. For example, the guardian stated in 2005 that 15.7% of primary school teachers were male and that 47% of children aged 5 to 11 have no contact with male teachers [1]. Taking this into account it can be argued that the teaching assistant should adopt a female appearance to “blend” into the environment. Although, the guardian also stated that 25% of parents questioned were concerned about their children not having enough interaction with male primary teachers.
Android appearance
The android appearance will result in a unisex appearance. The advantage of an android appearance is that the children will be attracted to the teaching assistant, hence stimulate the children. However, it can also be argued that the children may lose concentration and may see the teaching assistance as a toy.
Both appearances were discussed and the group decided that the female appearance was the most suitable based upon a number of factors:
The majority of junior/primary school teachers are female
The teaching assistant will not be able to replicate 100% human behaviour and taking into account that 47% of children aged 5 to 11 have no contact with male teachers the children [1] may develop a certain attitude toward males
A android appearance will result in the children losing concentration and regarding the teaching assistant as a toy
Female Humanoid Requirements
- Black glasses
- Brown eyes
- Black formal jacket and trousers
- Blue top
- Silicon skin
- Black shoes
After a visit to the school the appearance requirements were derived from observations of the current teachers and the children's behaviour towards them. Furthermore the persona's were asked “who is you favourite teacher?” which aided the process. For example, Serena answered Miss Dhillion. The favourite teachers was prioritized in the analysis and common trends were identified, for example, we concluded that the teachers that wore black clothing received this highest attention from children.
[1] Source
Analysing the Market
We are assuming that in 10-15 years AI and robotics would have evolved to offer the functionality required for the teaching assistant.
To our knowledge there is not a fully functional robot teaching assistant available in today's market, however there are robots that can offer some of the functionality, for example, the Honda robot Asimo. This robot offers different functionality to what we are suggesting., for example, Asimo offers no speech functionality, hence could not be considered as a teaching assistant.
After researching into alternative teaching assistants a number of tools were discovered with the majority being on-line. However these tools offer very limited functionality in comparison to the robot teaching assistant.
The screen-shot below demonstrate a basic teaching tool that we have researched:
The tool above is typical of many software teaching tools that can be regarded as offering very limited functionality and not comparable to the robot teaching assistant. To conclude the robot assistant can be regarded as a revolutionary teaching assistant offering the next generation of teaching assistant technology.
Source:
To our knowledge there is not a fully functional robot teaching assistant available in today's market, however there are robots that can offer some of the functionality, for example, the Honda robot Asimo. This robot offers different functionality to what we are suggesting., for example, Asimo offers no speech functionality, hence could not be considered as a teaching assistant.
After researching into alternative teaching assistants a number of tools were discovered with the majority being on-line. However these tools offer very limited functionality in comparison to the robot teaching assistant.
The screen-shot below demonstrate a basic teaching tool that we have researched:
The tool above is typical of many software teaching tools that can be regarded as offering very limited functionality and not comparable to the robot teaching assistant. To conclude the robot assistant can be regarded as a revolutionary teaching assistant offering the next generation of teaching assistant technology.
Source:
Final Idea
We have chosen the Robot Teaching Assistant as our final idea.
Most of our ideas were educationally based and the teaching assistant seems to be the most interactive and innovative.
The technologies associated with the manufacturing of such systems are available in today's world, for example, Honda's ASIMO robot and Osaka University's Actroid humanoid robot.
Most of our ideas were educationally based and the teaching assistant seems to be the most interactive and innovative.
The technologies associated with the manufacturing of such systems are available in today's world, for example, Honda's ASIMO robot and Osaka University's Actroid humanoid robot.
