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Limits and User Satisfaction of Using Low-Cost Robots for Math Measurement Activities

By Adams, Kim; Cook, Al; RESNA Annual Conference - 2012,
Publication Date: June 30 - July 2, 2012

Study investigated the limitations of using low cost Lego robots in math measurement activities performed by children with physical impairment. Participants were 3 children with cerebral palsy: girls aged 12 and 14 years and a 10 year old boy. They all used a Vanguard II speech generating device (SGD) activated using two headrest-mounted switches. A Lego Mindstorms RCX robot with a gripper, moveable pen, and spindle to hold a spool of string was used for hands-on math measurement activities. Participants could maneuver items mounted on the robot by moving the robot forward, back, left, or right. The robot was controlled through participants’ SGD, using its infrared output. Participants performed math measurement tasks in two ways: by directly controlling the robot and by observing their teacher doing the manipulation and evaluating her performance, after which they indicated which method they preferred. Participants also completed a post intervention survey regarding overall performance and ease of use. There were some problems with using the robots, involving aligning with or manipulating items and maintaining the robot’s travel in a straight line. However, the robots had sufficient capability to accomplish the math measurement activities, an activity which inherently requires accuracy, and only required some minor compensation strategies by the teacher. It was determined that these strategies did not influence how the participants demonstrated their understanding of math concepts and procedures. Participants found the robots easy to use and were generally satisfied using them for the activities.

Assistive Products Discussed: VANGUARD
VANGUARD PLUS
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)   (Website:http://www.resna.org)

Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)    (Web Site: http://www.resna.org )
Link to text: http://web.resna.org/conference/proceedings/2012/Robotics/LIMITSANDUSERSATISFACTIONOFUSINGLOW-COSTROBOTSFORMATHMEASUREMENTACTIVITIES.html
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