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Short description of research topic

AI technologies have been a part of everyday life. For example, robots have been working alongside humans as assistants, team-mates, caretakers, and companions. This has brought the discussion of societal consequences and reactions to robots to the forefront of robotics research. In order to create a sustainable society, it is imperative that scientific research focuses on improvements that positively impact human societies and our natural environment.

But how will a future society look like in terms of human-robot relationships and what should robotic designers or AI technology developers today do for a sustainable future? One of responses to this question is to develop user-driven innovation.

This project will particularly focus on an examination of roles of AI technologies or robots in STEM education in primary or secondary education that involves multiple issues such as quality of education, students’ motivation, creative teaching, and playful learning, etc.

Suggested problem statement

• How can we re-define ‘education quality’ in the context of robot/AI -mediated STEM education?
• How can we understand the ‘interaction’ between teacher, students and AI/ robot and how does teaching and learning benefit from such ‘interaction’?
• How can students’ learning be motivated by using or playing with AI/ robots?
• How do STEM teachers think of their experience of integrating AI/robots into their teaching practice?

Theoretical inspiration

Social approaches to learning, AI and society, robotic design, technology mediation, user-driven innovation, participatory innovation, technology literacy and education

Methodological considerations

This project proposal welcomes both qualitative and quantitative studies. In qualitative study, case study and interviews are encouraged. In quantitative study, large-scale investigation and statistics are encouraged. Mixed-method research design is also encouraged that builds up dialog between qualitative and quantitative studies.

Supervisor

Chunfang Zhou