The robots are coming, are you ready?
Terry A. Nelson, Kevin D. Lo, Sumeet Jhamb · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · 2020
Robots in the classroom sound exciting and forward-thinking. However, integrating emerging technologies, such as social robotic telepresence systems (SRTS), into learning environments presents both opportunities and challenges. In this chapter, the authors share their experiences implementing SRTS into the classroom as a means for graduate students to create their social presence remotely. Previous research has focused primarily on faculty and information technology (IT) staff as the key stakeholders involved in the process of integrating technology into the classroom and the student as an end-user. However, the authors suggest that integration challenges can be alleviated if IT staff, faculty, and students are equal stakeholders in the process. That is, all three groups of stakeholders should collaborate from beginning to end. The chapter concludes with lessons learned and suggestions for implementing robots in the classroom from the perspectives of the IT staff, faculty, and students.