Educational Robots for Social and Emotional Learning

Abstract

Embodied  agents are agents that display human-like behavior while interacting with their environment. Educational robots, which are embodied agents, or more specifically knowledge agents, are extensions of the learners. The robot interface is physically, mentally, and socially human-like and can be programmed to exhibit behaviors that replicate interconnected physical, mental, and social characteristics. As such, they provide a compelling social and emotional learning teaching and learning tool. Social and emotional learning is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, establish and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. This article explores the space between robots as embodied agents and social and emotional learning.