A game-based approach for evaluating and customizing handwriting training using an autonomous social robot

Abstract

Handwriting learning is a long and complex process that takes about ten years to be fully mastered. Nearly one-third of all children aged 4-12 experiences handwriting difficulties and, sadly, most of them are left to fight them on their own, due to the scarcity of tools for the detection and remediation of such difficulties. Building on state-of-theart digital solutions for automated handwriting assessment and the training of specific handwriting-related skills, in this article we discuss requirements, rationale, and architecture of a system for handwriting training, which relies on a social robot as a mediator agent, offering personalized training and suggestions. The system is envisioned to operate autonomously and to support long-term interactions via personalization. Preliminary validation of the system in an experiment with 31 children showed its potential not only for autonomously guiding handwriting training sessions, but also for its inclusion in the teachers' practice.

The iReCheck project: using tablets and robots for personalised handwriting practice

“…This phenomenon is approachable with our solution, where students can have access to personalised tutoring from the robot while practising the handwriting without interfering in teacher's regular time or curriculum. Therefore, both teachers' and students' perceptions of this setup is being investigated [15]. In studies with the iReCheck setup in schools, we are also evaluating how the posture is an important factor in the handwriting.…”