Effects on Concentration of Different E-Learner Resting Behaviors in Reponse to Communication Robot Actions During Break Times

Yusuke Yasumura, Takashi Ito, Kenichi Takahashi, Tomoko Kajiyama

Abstract: Two communication robots (RoBoHoN and aibo) were used to evaluate the effects of different resting behaviors performed by e-learners during break times on maintaining and improving learner concentration. The effects were examined using two experiments: a work experiment in which the participants performed simple mathematical calculations and a learning experiment in which the participants attempted to learn new English words. The participants were asked to interact with the assigned communication robot during break times and perform certain behaviors accordingly. The "playing with aibo" behavior refreshed the participants effectively in the mathematical calculation experiment. It was not effective in the learning experiment, whereas the "playing with RoBoHoN" behavior was effective.