Telepresence Robots Outperform Traditional Videoconferences in Higher Education: A Longitudinal Study

• In Event: Advanced Technologies for Learning SIG Individual Paper Session

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an evaluation study on the use of telepresence robots in higher education. For the first time, in four seminars, 35 teacher trainees took part both via telepresence robot and via Skype videoconference. Overall, we found that students showed a high acceptance of using telepresence robots in higher education. Students’ acceptance was already high at the beginning of the seminars, increased further during the seminars, and exceeded the acceptance of using conventional videoconferences at the end of the seminars. In addition, students did not find the presence of the robots very disturbing. Telepresence robots thus represent a promising option for enabling students to participate interactively in courses if physical participation is not possible for them.

Authors

• Fabian Wolff, Kiel University

• Veronica Ahumada-Newhart, University of California - Irvine

• Jacquelynne S. Eccles, University of California - Irvine

• Jens Möller, Kiel University