Elementary science lesson delivered by robot

Abstract

This paper juxtaposes science lessons on the topic “Levers” given to two sixth grade classes, one in a Tokyo elementary school assisted by an android robot SAYA, and the other at the science museum MadaTech in Haifa aided by a humanoid RoboThespian. The one hour lessons had the same outline including theoretical explanation, in-group experiments with lever balances, and assessment activities. The classes were instructed and managed by the robot-teachers through preprogrammed behaviors and remote operation. We juxtapose the features of the educational interaction in the lessons elicited by using the same questionnaire, assessment test and video analysis.