Using the Sony AIBOs to Increase Diversity in Undergraduate CS Programs.
Maria L. Gini, Janice L. Pearce, Karen T. Sutherland · International Conference on Intelligent Autonomous Systems · 2006
We describe a proposed approach to increase diversity in undergraduate Computer Science programs and to encourage undergraduates majoring in fields such as health professions, business, art, and education to take more computer science courses. The approach is centered around using the Sony robot dogs AIBO in the classroom, starting at the very beginning of the computer science curriculum, as a tool to attract a diverse population of students to Computer Science, to introduce them to to fundamental concepts in computing, and to give them an appreciation of the importance of becoming competent with technology.