Application of the Bee-Bot Robot to Improve the Oral Expression of a Student with ASD: A Case Study
Elena Pérez-Vázquez, Gonzalo Lorenzo, Asunción Lledó Carreres, Alejandro Lorenzo-Lledó, Alba Gilabert Cerdá · 2023
In recent decades, robotics has emerged as an appealing pedagogical tool capable of creating comprehensible and secure learning environments for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), thereby enhancing various skills. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in oral expression, such as challenges in language pragmatics, sound articulation, acquiring new words, or constructing complex sentences. Recognizing the potential of robotics in addressing the needs of these students, the present study aims to utilize the floor robot Bee-Bot in an educational context to improve the oral expression skills of a student with ASD. Regarding the methodology employed, a quantitative research approach was utilized, specifically a single-case quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test. Additionally, data collection involved a system of 19 categorized items distributed across 4 dimensions, and an intervention consisting of ten sessions with the Bee-Bot robot was implemented. The results have demonstrated significant improvements, with 78.94% of the questionnaire items showing positive changes following the implementation of robotics. In conclusion, it can be affirmed that the Bee-Bot robot, when accompanied by a pedagogical program, is a valuable educational resource for developing the oral expression of students with ASD.