Human-robot interaction methodology: Robot teaching activity.

Research on the use of social robots in education is constantly increasing in the growing field of human-robot interaction (HRI). Consequently, it is essential to determine an appropriate methodology to test how these robots can optimally interact with students. This study specifically looks at how we can use existing knowledge from psychology, neuroscience and educational research and apply them with validity and credibility in HRI studies. We are interested in incorporating research methodologies to evaluate the performance of social robots acting as university professors in a real classroom environment. Moreover, we aim to measure three effects, a) students' knowledge acquisition (quiz after lecture and final exam grades), b) level of enjoyment (Likert scale questionnaire), and c) level of surprize (analysis of facial expressions filmed by cameras). To identify the relationship between students' knowledge acquisition, enjoyment, and level of surprize, we designed a series of three experiments, testing three variables: 1. one human-tutor lesson, 2. one robot-tutor lesson, 3. two robot-tutor lessons. In this paper we thoroughly explain the methods used to measuring and testing these variables based on modern and reliable sources.•Application of Psychological Research Methods to Human-Robot Interaction Studies.

Which One? Choosing Favorite Robot After Different Styles of Storytelling and Robots' Conversation.

The influence of human-care service robots in human-robot interaction is becoming of great importance, because of the roles that the robots are taking in today's and future society. Thus, we need to identify how humans can interact, collaborate, and learn from social robots more efficiently. Additionally, it is important to determine the robots' modalities that can increase the humans' perceived likeness and knowledge acquisition and enhance human-robot collaboration. The present study aims to identify the optimal social service robots' modalities that enhance the human learning process and level of enjoyment from the interaction and even attract the humans' attention to choosing a robot to collaborate with it. Our target group was college students, pre-service teachers. For this purpose, we designed two experiments, each one split in two parts. Both the experiments were between groups, and human participants had the chance to watch the Nao robot performing a storytelling exercise about the history of robots in a museum-educational activity via video annotations. The robot's modalities were manipulated on its body movements (expressive arm and head gestures) while performing the storytelling, friendly attitude expressions and storytelling, and personality traits. After the robot's storytelling, participants filled out a knowledge acquisition questionnaire and a self-reported enjoyment level questionnaire. In the second part, we introduce the idea of participants witnessing a conversation between the robots with the different modalities, and they were asked to choose the robot with which they want to collaborate in a similar activity. Results indicated that participants prefer to collaborate with robots with a cheerful personality and expressive body movements. Especially when they were asked to choose between two robots that were cheerful and had expressive body movements, they preferred the one which originally told them the story. Moreover, participants did not prefer to collaborate with a robot with an extremely friendly attitude and storytelling style.

Beneficial effects of robot-mediated class activities on a child with ASD and his typical classmates.

Objective: The current educational intervention investigates how the use of the educational robot as an assistive tool can aid young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder helping them strengthen relationships and improving their interaction with typically developing children. Method: For this purpose an interdisciplinary road safety program was implemented involving the construction, programming and operation of a 3D LEGO robot bicycle model. Results: The results showed that the use of educational robotics appeared to bring about a change in the indifferent attitude of the typically developing students towards the students with ASD. In addition in contributed to the development of the social, communicational and emotionsl skills of the child with ASD and lead to a reduction in his challenging behaviors.

Τhe effectiveness of socially assistive robotics in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Aim: The current study investigates the outcomes of the interaction between four elementary school pupils with autism spectrum disorders and a robot called Daisy. Method: During structured and prepeared activities which were conducted by the social robot, as well as by a human partner. Results: Results indicate positive outcomes during the interaction with the robot. Specifically, there were more incidences of eye contact, proximity and verbal interaction during sessions with the robot than during those with the teacher. Additional behaviors such as increased attention and ability to follow instructions improved during interaction with the robot. There was also a noted reduction in fidgeting.