What is known

The robots are equipped with microphones, speakers and cameras for two-way communication. Thus, students sitting at home will be able to connect to the robots remotely and see the classroom, hear the teacher’s lessons through cameras and microphones, and also answer questions.

According to the Kumamoto Municipal Board of Education, such initiatives are rare in the country. Their goal is to reduce the anxiety of children who miss classes and students who plan to return to class.

The idea, which can be implemented as early as November this year, is planned to evaluate the results of the program by March next year.

It is planned to include self-propelled robots approximately 1 meter high within the framework of the initiative. The ability to control tablet computers attached to robots from laptops at home will allow students to attend the same classes as their classmates and participate in discussions with their classmates and teachers. It is also expected that the robots will be able to move freely around the school grounds and even participate in activities.

In addition to allowing robots to observe classrooms, it also allows students to move freely in space and interact with others at will. We hope this will help reduce psychological barriers for truant students.
– they say in the education department.

The decision to implement this measure was taken due to the increasing number of students out of school. According to the council, 2,760 students in the city’s primary and secondary schools did not attend classes in the 2022 academic yearand this is the fourth year in a row. For this reason, it was decided to turn to the field of information and communication technologies in search of a solution.