Deployment of a Social Robot into a Classroom of Remote Teaching by Elderly People to School Children: a Case Report

Abstract

A humanoid robot combined with a classroom SNS (social networking service) was introduced into a classroom of remote teaching by elderly persons (aged 78, 83, and 91 years) to school children (aged between 12 to 15 years). The goal was to carry out an ethnographic participatory development of an education support system for elderly teachers and school children. The development formed part of a weekly club activity in an elementary school over the course of six months and consisted of iterating three phases (the experience, reflection, and implementation phases). Through this ethnographic participatory development, we aimed to reveal potential utility and issues in using a social robot combined with a classroom SNS to support remote educational activities between elderly people and children. In addition, the significance of leveraging elderly people in aging societies, especially in education, is highlighted.