Sociable robot improves toddler vocabulary skills

TitleSociable robot improves toddler vocabulary skills
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsMovellan, J, Eckhardt, M, Virnes, M, Rodriguez, A
Conference Name2009 4th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)
Date Published03/2009
PublisherIEEE
Conference LocationLa Jolla, CA
ISBN Number978-1-60558-404-1
Accession Number12908586
KeywordsAlgorithms, autonomously operated robot, Early Childhood Education Center, Educational institutions, Educational robots, Games, human factors, Human-robot interaction, intervention period, Pediatrics, Robot sensing systems, robotics, sociable robot, social aspects of automation, time 2 week, toddler vocabulary skills, Ubiquitous computering, Vocabulary
Abstract

We report results of a study in which a low cost sociable robot was immersed at an Early Childhood Education Center for a period of 2 weeks. The study was designed to investigate whether the robot, which operated fully autonomously during the intervention period, could improve target vocabulary skills of 18-24 month of age toddlers. The results showed a 27% improvement in knowledge of the target words taught by the robot when compared to a matched set of control words. The results suggest that sociable robots may be an effective and low cost technology to enrich Early Childhood Education environments.