Skip to main content

Evaluating Students’ Experiences in Hybrid Learning Environments: A Comparative Analysis of Kubi and Double Telepresence Robots

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Social Robotics (ICSR 2023)

Abstract

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, distance learning was employed on an unprecedented level. As the lockdown measures have eased, it has become a parallel option alongside traditional in-person learning. Nevertheless, the utilization of basic videoconferencing tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet comes with a multitude of constraints that extend beyond technological aspects. These limitations are intricately linked with human behavior, psychology, but also pedagogy, drastically changing the interactions that take place during learning. Telepresence robots have been widely used due to their advantages in enhancing a sense of in-person. To investigate the opportunities, the impact, and the risks associated with the usage of telepresence robots in an educational context, we conducted an experiment in a real setting, in the specific use case of a design school and a project-based class. We are interested in the experience of a classroom and the relationships between a distance student, his/her peers, and the professor/instructor. This study employed two types of robots: a Kubi robot (a semi-static tablet-based system) and a Double robot (a mobile telepresence robot). The primary objective was to ascertain the perceptions and experiences of both remote and in-person students during their interaction with these robots. The results of the study demonstrate a marked preference among students for the Double robot over the Kubi, as indicated by their feedback.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    https://www.education.gouv.fr/ted-i-des-robots-de-tele-presence-destines-aux-eleves-hospitalises-326458.

  2. 2.

    https://www.kubiconnect.com/e-commerce/kubi-classic.html.

  3. 3.

    https://www.doublerobotics.com.

References

  1. Kaplan, A.M., Haenlein, M.: Higher education and the digital revolution: about MOOCs, SPOCs, social media, and the Cookie Monster. Bus. Horiz. 59(4), 441–450 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Velinov, A., Koceski, S., Koceska, N.: A review of the usage of telepresence robots in education. Balkan J. Appl. Math. Inform. 4(1), 27–40 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Wernbacher, T., et al.: Trine: telepresence robots in education (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Thompson, P., Chaivisit, S.: Telepresence robots in the classroom. J. Educ. Technol. Syst. 50(2), 201–214 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bell, J., Cain, W., Peterson, A., Cheng, C.: From 2D to Kubi to doubles: designs for student telepresence in synchronous hybrid classrooms. Int. J. Designs Learn. 7(3) (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Fitter, N.T., Raghunath, N., Cha, E., Sanchez, C.A., Takayama, L., Matarić, M.J.: Are we there yet? Comparing remote learning technologies in the university classroom. IEEE Robot. Automat. Lett. 5(2), 2706–2713 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Schouten, A.P., Portegies, T.C., Withuis, I., Willemsen, L.M., Mazerant-Dubois, K.: Robomorphism: examining the effects of telepresence robots on between-student cooperation. Comput. Hum. Behav. 126, 106980 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Gallon, L., Angel Abénia, F.D., Negui, M.: Using a telepresence robot in an educational contex. In: 15th International Conference on Frontiers in Education: Computer Science and Computer Engineering (FECS 2019) (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  9. John, O.P., Srivastava, S.: The Big-Five Trait Taxonomy: History, Measurement, and Theoretical Perspectives, pp. 102–138 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Guay, F., Vallerand, R.J., Blanchard, C.: On the assessment of situational intrinsic and extrinsic motivation: the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS). Motivat. Emot. 24, 175–213 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bartneck, C., Kulić, D., Croft, E., Zoghbi, S.: Measurement instruments for the anthropomorphism, animacy, likeability, perceived intelligence, and perceived safety of robots. Int. J. Soc. Robot. 1, 71–81 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Heilporn, G., Lakhal, S., Bélisle, M., St-Onge, C.: Engagement des étudiants: une échelle de mesure multidimensionnelle appliquée à des modalités de cours hybrides universitaires. Mesure et évaluation en éducation 43(2), 1–34 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kertechian, S.K.: Conscientiousness as a key to success for academic achievement among French university students enrolled in management studies. Int. J. Manag. Educ. 16(2), 154–165 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Strauss, A., Corbin, J.: Grounded Theory in Practice. Sage (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Perifanou, M., Häfner, P., Economides, A.A.: Users’ experiences and perceptions about telepresence robots in education (2022)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by InterCarnot: Bots4Education project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiaoxuan Hei .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Hei, X. et al. (2024). Evaluating Students’ Experiences in Hybrid Learning Environments: A Comparative Analysis of Kubi and Double Telepresence Robots. In: Ali, A.A., et al. Social Robotics. ICSR 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 14454. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8718-4_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8718-4_13

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-99-8717-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-99-8718-4

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics