A team of researchers recently developed computer software which can sense emotions such as boredom and frustration in the students they tutor
Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120302132546.htm
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“AutoTutor” and “Affective AutoTutor” are capable of asking probing questions to discover a student’s level of knowledge, analysis, correcting misconceptions, responding to student’s questions, complaints, and comments, and sensing emotions through facial expression and posture. After sensing emotions of frustration or boredom, the computer adjusts its strategies. Through these programs, computers are moving away from their usual forms of communication and towards more human methods of interaction. This is a big step in human-computer interaction. This new technology is able to discover information about a user’s cognitive state, motivation level, and social dynamics. AutoTutor aids students through conversing with them in natural language, simulating human teaching methods and motivational tactics, tailoring interactions to individuals, and keeping students engaged, among other methods. This technology is meant to simulate the best of human tutors, teaching students while keeping them engaged. The one-on-one experience of tutoring is more effective than classroom settings. AutoTutor has helped students gain a letter grade, performing better than beginner human tutors and almost as well as excellent human tutors.
The development of this new software shows great improvements in the field of human-computer interaction and artificial intelligence. Previously, it was impossible to communicate with a computer the way we would communicate with other people. However, this new development opens up opportunities not only for teaching, but also human interaction with technology. We continue to search for ways to make our lives easier. This tutoring software gives students the opportunity to learn through a system which tailors itself to fit the needs of the individual. It gives students the time and attention they may not get in the classroom.
While I found this article very interesting, I can’t help but feel a bit wary about this new technology. I don’t exactly fit in with the rest of my generation in our love of technology. I am not the most computer literate and do not obsess over iphones and other cool gadgets. I’m much more of a people person. Therefore, this new software does not sound like the greatest thing to me. I find the steps we’ve made in technological advances astounding and am quite impressed by a computer which can hold a conversation and sense boredom. But I’m not gonna lie, it freaks me out. I’m one of those weirdos who hears about software like this and thinks we should be careful or we might end up in a sci-fi movie. I don’t like the idea of technology taking over the role of humans (first stop tutoring, next stop the world!). In my opinion, human interaction should remain in the realm of humans. Computers do enough, however weird that statement makes me.
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