Computer Software Responds to Students’ Cognitive and Emotional States

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

Image: Google Images

“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.

Falling Pennies Are No Real Threat to Innocent City Sidewalk-Walkers

Due to the physical forces acting on it, studies show that a penny falling from a skyscraper would not cause any serious injury to people on the sidewalk below

Article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=could-a-penny-dropped-off

Image: google images

Louis Bloomfield, a University of Virginia physicist, recently conducted research to provide a definite answer to the falling penny turned dangerous weapon myth. He replicated the skyscraper scenario using wind tunnels and helium balloons. Ultimately, he found that the small, flat shape of the penny prevented it from becoming a torpedo, forcing it to flutter harmlessly to the ground instead. People who believe the myth assume that the force of gravity on the penny accelerates it to a dangerous speed during its descent. However, this could only happen in a vacuum. As it is, the penny’s flat surface collides with air molecules which slow it down. Air resistance creates a “drag force” which counteracts gravity. As gravity makes the penny fall faster, the air resistance increases. At maximum velocity, the air resistance and gravity working on the penny are equal and opposite, making the penny fall at a constant speed, or terminal velocity, until it reaches the sidewalk (or a passerby). This terminal velocity, 25 mph, is reached after about fifty feet. In a vacuum, the penny would reach a speed of 208 mph, which could cause damage to a skull. Though a falling penny has been proved harmless by this study, the same cannot be said of ballpoint pens. If a pen was thrown off a skyscraper and happened to have a design which caused it to shoot down like an arrow, it could hit the ground at 200 mph, causing quite a bit of damage.

This study may not earth-shattering or exactly life saving. However, our generation is interested in myth busting (the success of the show Myth Busters acts as evidence to this claim). We have all heard the warning not to throw anything off very tall buildings for the safety of those below. This warning remains valid. However, the myth which was created as a result of this warning has been busted by Bloomfield’s study. Now, when one has the urge to litter from the top of the Empire State Building, we know to throw harmless pennies and definitely not writing utensils.

I was drawn to this article because it mixes humor and pop culture with science. Many of the articles I’ve read for this assignment are interesting, but very serious. Some are more exciting, detailing new discoveries about the human body or a new species of animal, but they are rarely very funny. The title of this article made me laugh. I have heard the falling penny myth many times and even saw it in action during a performance of Avenue Q. I enjoyed learning what it was that made this myth untrue and how it can be applied instead to objects like ballpoint pens. I may no longer have to beware falling penny-torpedoes, but those pen-arrows sound pretty terrifying. Thankfully, I don’t have much to worry about in Clemson.

The (Somewhat Rare) Early Bird College Student Should Skip Their Afternoon Starbucks

A recent study indicates that caffeine intake may be linked to “chronotype,” or the time of day during which a person is most awake

Image: Austin Public Library

Article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=caffeine-disrupts-sleep-f

In this study, fifty college students recorded their caffeine intake and sleeping patterns. They wore devices to monitor movements and the moments in which they awoke after initially falling asleep. Their saliva was measure for caffeine levels throughout the week during which the study was conducted. Since college students in generally sleep deprived, the individuals in the study slept well whenever they were able to get to bed, regardless of caffeine intake. However, those who were morning people spent more time awake after falling asleep the more caffeine they consumed. The same was not found in those that are more alert later in the day. This is the first study that connects caffeine intake with “chronotype,” which categorizes people by the time in the day during which they are more active. Morning people are more likely than night owls to toss and turn during the night. Now, researchers must see if this same trend is found in people who are not college students. Some people rid their bodies of caffeine quicker than others, varying the caffeine levels a person has at bedtime. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine if an individual could avoid the negative effects of caffeine on sleep by passing on coffee or tea in the afternoon or evening.

Our society has become quite obsessed with caffeine. You can find a Starbucks at most popular intersections and every restaurant and fast food places offer tea and coffee. During its hours of operation, Cooper Library’s Java City is rarely, if ever, empty. Due to this reliance on caffeine, it has become increasing more important to research the effects it has on our bodies. This study offers extremely important and relevant information about caffeine’s relationship to sleep, especially for college students. College students have enough trouble getting a reasonable amount of sleep without being kept up at night due to caffeine. Students may drink tea and coffee to make up for the loss of sleep from drinking tea and coffee, creating a vicious circle. Hopefully, this cycle will be interrupted due to the information gained from studies like this one.

I have never enjoyed the smell, let alone the taste, of coffee, and I drink tea rarely. However, I am constantly surrounded by tea drinkers and friends asking me to coffee dates. After reading this article, I am glad I do not rely on caffeine. I am one of the morning people this article shows would be negatively affected by regular caffeine intake. If I have a restless night, I cannot blame my afternoon Starbucks, but my fellow students may.