Robot technology helps chronically ill children attend school from home in Helsinki

Chronically ill children in Helsinki now have the opportunity to participate in classroom activities from home through the use of a school robot. The city has introduced three new robots at the start of the academic year, allowing students unable to

By: helsinkitimes.fi

Oct 03 2024
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Robot technology helps chronic

Chronically ill children in Helsinki now have the opportunity to participate in classroom activities from home through the use of a school robot. The city has introduced three new robots at the start of the academic year, allowing students unable to attend school due to health risks to engage in lessons, answer questions, and complete assignments alongside their classmates.

The robot, small and portable enough to fit in a backpack, is placed on a desk in the classroom, while the student controls it remotely from home using a tablet.

Through the robot, the child can see and hear what’s happening in the classroom and even signal to participate by raising their virtual hand.

"When active treatment for illnesses like leukemia or bone cancer ends, students may still be unable to attend school due to the risk of infection. These students are often capable of studying, and the robot helps them reconnect with their school community," explained Ina Kivalo, a special education teacher at Sophie Mannerheim School, known for its hospital education programs.

Easing the Transition Back to School

For many children, returning to school after a long absence can be intimidating. The robot provides a bridge, allowing students to maintain connections with their classmates and the learning environment even while at home.

"School is about more than just learning math and English. It’s also about social interaction, communication, and maintaining friendships. The robot enables students to join in recess, field trips, and other school events, keeping them a part of the community," Kivalo said.

Currently, the robots are in use at three schools in Helsinki, including Poikkilaakso Elementary in Jollas, where teachers have seen the benefits firsthand.

Robots in Action at Poikkilaakso Elementary

At Poikkilaakso Elementary, a typical day begins with students greeting their teacher in various fun ways, such as high-fives or a dance. While the class settles in for a math lesson, one student participates from home via the school robot, which can rotate 360 degrees on the desk, allowing the student to follow classroom discussions.

The robot’s green light flashes when the student raises their hand to answer, while a blue light indicates that they are momentarily unavailable. The robot can also display different emotions through emoji expressions, like happiness or thoughtfulness, giving the student a way to communicate beyond just academic engagement.

When the class moves on to group tasks, the student at home pairs up with a classmate, working together on math problems. The robot allows the remote student to be fully involved, even showing joy when they solve a problem correctly.

Offering Flexibility and Connection

At Poikkilaakso, students can attend up to two lessons per day through the robot, and teachers like Kanerva Koski visit the child’s home weekly to provide additional instruction. The goal is to introduce the robot gradually, ensuring that it doesn’t overwhelm either the student or the class.

While there is no set limit for how long a student can use the robot, the plan is for it to move on to another student once the current user returns to in-person schooling.

"This is such a wonderful tool. The student has been actively participating in class, raising their hand and staying engaged. It’s sad they have to be away due to illness, but this allows them to remain part of the classroom. I talk regularly with the student and their family about how the experience feels and ask for their feedback," Koski explained.

A Bridge to Inclusion

In addition to daily lessons, the robot has even accompanied the class on a field trip to Tullisaari Park. The children were excited to interact with the robot, which was carried in a backpack, allowing their remote classmate to join in virtually.

The students at Poikkilaakso have quickly embraced the robot, proud to have such innovative technology in their classroom. Teachers are already thinking ahead about how the robot might also be used during recess.

"The robot is just another part of our flexible teaching arrangements. We have a variety of support systems in place, and the robot adds a new dimension of inclusivity," Koski added.

More than just a medical or technical device, the school robot is a pedagogical solution aimed at ensuring students can remain part of the school community, regardless of their circumstances.

"School brings hope and a sense of the future. By participating in the same activities as their peers, the student can focus on something other than their illness. It also reminds the rest of the class that this student is still part of their group. Plus, it shows how technology can be integrated into everyday life," Kivalo concluded.