Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Designing Robots for Special Needs Education

  • Original research
  • Published:
Technology, Knowledge and Learning Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In 1969, Seymour Papert invented the first educational robot called a Turtle. It was an addition to the computer language Logo, which he’d designed in 1965 specifically for educating children. Papert did not simply invent some technology, he offered a revolutionary way of educating children. He gave teachers practical tools to realise constructionist developmental theories in the classroom. We will show that Papert’s work forms a Kuhnian Paradigm which has endured for nearly 50 years and provides the foundation for all work with educational robots. The use of educational robots in special needs education was one of many benefits that grew out of the resulting environment. The early robots designs didn’t pay attention the needs of this area of education. So early researchers used the available robots and started to ask and seek answers to relevant questions. We analyse this historical research and report on their findings. We find modern research simply confirms the original work. We will introduce the Papert Paradigm and show how it empathised with the changing attitudes towards special needs education. We look at a deepening understanding of the technology provided by the Educational Robot Application Principles. And by combining this information with the Universal Design for Learning ideas we find a set of guidelines to help create better robots for special needs education.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. These experiments showed the speed of light was constant, which was impossible according to Newtonian mechanics.

  2. MIT professor Papert invented the Turtle and Logo while working as a consultant at BBN.

  3. Schools using Logo connected to the remote PDP computer by telephones and teleprinters.

References

  • Ainscow, M., Harris, J., & Carrington, S. (2017). Using evidence to promote learning and equity in schools. Routledge.

  • Ayer, A. J. (1959). Logical positivism. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • BBC & Open University. (1983). Talking Turtle. Horizon documentary series. Retrieved from January 6th, 2016. http://research.roamer-educational-robot.com/2016/01/06/talking-turtle/.

  • BBC & Open University. (2017). Using robots with children with cerebral palsy. Retrieved from November 10th, 2017, Roamer Research. http://research.roamer-educational-robot.com/2017/10/26/using-robots-with-children-with-cerebral-palsy/.

  • Black, P., & Wiliam, D. (2006). Inside the black box: v. 1: Raising standards through classroom. NFER Nelson. Retrieved from May 12th, 2014. http://weaeducation.typepad.co.uk/files/blackbox-1.pdf.

  • Blamires, M. (1993). A robot for All: SERP (special education robot project). Retrieved from November 5th, 2017, Roamer Research. http://research.roamer-educational-robot.com/1992/10/04/a-robot-for-all/.

  • Booth, T., & Ainscow, M. (2002). Index for inclusion: developing learning and participation in schools. In M. Vaughan (Ed.) Enabling Education Network. Retrieved 3 August 2018 from https://www.eenet.org.uk/resources/docs/Index%20English.pdf

  • Boser, K. I., Lathan, C. E., Safos, C., Shrewbridge, R., Samango-Sprouse, C., & Michalowski, M. (2013). Using therapeutic robots to teach children with autism in the classroom. In K. I. Boser, M. S. Godwin, S. C. Wayland, & D. Brookes (Eds.), Technology tools for students with autism: Innovations that enhance independence and learning (pp. 85–104). Towson: Paul Brookes Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bransford, J. D., Brown, A. L., & Cocking, R. R. (Eds.). (2000). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience and school. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buckland, D. M. (1986). Using Logo. In M. Hope (Ed.), The Magic of the micro: A resource for children with learning difficulties. London: London

    Google Scholar 

  • Bülbül, M. S. (2017). A universal design for robotics education. Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities, 20(1). Retrieved from November 10th, 2017. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313406058_A_Universal_Design_for_Robotics_Education.

  • Carr, D. (2003). Making sense of education. London, New York: RoutledgeFalmer, Taylor & Francis Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Catlin, D. (2008). Robot Dawn 1: New intelligent robots offer an expanding educational role. Technology Today. Retrieved from http://go.roamer-educational-robot.com/2008/03/01/robot-dawn-1/.

  • Catlin, D. (2012). Maximising the effectiveness of educational robotics through the use of assessment for learning methodologies. In Riva La Garda, Italy: 3rd international conference on teaching robotics, teaching with robotics.

  • Catlin, D. (2014). Using peer assessment with educational robots, peer review. In Peer review, peer assessment and self assessment in education, ist international workshop, collated with the 13th international conference on web-based learning ICW. Tallinn: Springer.

  • Catlin, D. (2016a). 29 effective ways you can use robots in the classroom: An explanation of ERA pedagogical principle. In D. Alimisis, M. Moro, & E. Menegatti (Eds.), Educational robotics in the Maker Era (pp. 135–148). Athens: Springer Cham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Catlin, D. (2016b). Learning intentions and educational robots. In A. Sipitakiat & N. Tutiyaphuengprasert (Eds.), Constructionism 2016 (pp. 158–166). Bangkok: Suksapattana Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Catlin, D. (2017). How to improve your student’s results with Maker spaces. Retrieved from November 4th, 2017, Roamer Research. http://research.roamer-educational-robot.com/improving-students-results-with-maker-spaces.

  • Catlin, D., & Blamires, M. (2010a). The principles of educational robotic applications (ERA): A framework for understanding and developing educational robots and their activities. Constructionism 2010. Paris: Proceedings of Constructionism 2010.

  • Catlin, D., & Blamires, M. (2010b). The e-robot project: A longitudinal on-line research collaboration to investigate the ERA Principles. Darmstadt: TRTWR 2010 conference, part of SIMPAR 2010.

  • Catlin, D., Csizmadia, A. P., OMeara, J. G., & Younie, S. (2015). Using educational robotics research to transform the classroom. In RiE 2015: 6th international conference on robotics in education. Yverdon-les-Bains.

  • Catlin, D., Kandlhofer, M., & Homquist, S. (2018). EduRobot taxonomy: A provisional schema for classifying educational robots. In 9th international conference on robots in education, (p. In Press). Malta.

  • Darling, J. (1994). Child-centred education and its critics. London: Paul Chapman Publishing Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, J. (1933). How we think: A restatement of the relation of reflective thinking to the educative process. Boston, Ma: D.C. Heath & Co Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, J. (2008). Experience and education. New York: Touchstone.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emanuel, R., & Weir, S. (1976). Catalysing communication in an Autistic child in a LOGO-like learning environment. In AISB’76 proceedings of the 2nd summer conference on artificial intelligence and simulation of behaviour (pp. 118–129). Edinburgh: IOS Press Amsterdam. Retrieved from November 7th, 2017. https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=3015520&CFID=826654135&CFTOKEN=43937237.

  • Encarnacao, P., & Cook, A. M. (2017). Robotic assistive technologies: Principles and practice. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrarelli, P., Lazaro, M. T., & Iocchi, L. (2018). Design of robot teaching assistants through multi-modal human-robot interactions. In M. M. Lepuschitz W. (Ed.), Robotics in education. RiE 2017. Advances in intelligent systems and computing (pp. 274–286). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62875-2_25.

  • Garret, J., & Dyke, B. (1988). Microelectronics and pupils with special educational needs: Support materials for in-service training of teachers. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldsmith, S. (1995). Designing for the disabled: A new paradigm. Abingdon (Oxford), New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haigh, D. (1990). Developing thinking skills. In T. Detheridge (Ed.), Technology in support of the national curriculum. NCET: Coventry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins, L. (1993). Special needs turtle. Retrieved from November 7th, 2017, GO Magazine. http://go.roamer-educational-robot.com/1993/03/17/special-needs-turtle/.

  • Howe, J. (1994). Artificial intelligence at Edinburgh University: A perspective. Retrieved from November 7th, 2017, University of Edinburgh School of Informatics. http://groups.inf.ed.ac.uk/vision/ROBOTICS/FREDDY/Barrow/Documents/Artificial%20Intelligence%20at%20The%20University%20of%20Edinburgh.htm.

  • Johnstone, B. (2003). Never mind the laptops. New York: iUniverse Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn, T. S. (1996). The structure of scientific revolutions (3rd ed.). Chicago, London: The University of Chicago Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lagemann, E. C. (2000). The troubling history of educational research. Chicago, London: Chicago University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Legislation.gov.uk. (1944). Education Act 1944. Act of Parliment for England and Wales. Retrieved from November 6th, 2017. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/7-8/31/contents/enacted.

  • Legislation.gov.uk. (1981). Education Act 1981 Chapter 60. Retrieved from November 6th, 2017. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/60/enacted.

  • Maw, J. (1993). The National Curriculum Council and the Whole Curriculum: reconstruction of a discourse? Curriculum Studies, 1(1), 55–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965975930010104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, G., Church, R., & Trexler, M. (2000). Teaching diverse learners using robotics. In A. Druin & J. Hendler (Eds.), Robots for kids: Exploring new technologies for learning (pp. 166–190). Burlington: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills, R., Staines, J., & Tabberer, R. (1989). Turtling without tears. London: National Council for Educational Technology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, D. (1992). An investigation into the use of roamer turtle in developing the spatial awareness of visually impaired children. M.A. thesis. Reading: University of Reading.

  • Mutlu, B., Forlizzi, J., & Hodgins, J. (2006). Story telling robot: Modeling and evaluation human-like gaze behavior. Humanoids. Retrieved 3 Aug 2018 from http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~bilge/pubs/2006/Humanoids06-Mutlu.pdf

  • Noss, R. (1995). Thematic chapter: Computers as commodities. In A. A. DiSessa, C. Hoyles, A. A. DiSessa, C. Hoyles, & R. Noss (Eds.), Computers and exploratory learning (pp. 363–382). Berlin: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Papert, S. (1969). Programming and problem-solving: The logo programming language. In W. Feurzeig (Ed.), Computer systems for teaching complex concepts: Final report (Vol. BBN Report Number: 1742, pp. 94–106). Cambridge, MA: Bolt Beranek and Newman. Retrieved from November 5th, 2017. http://research.roamer-educational-robot.com/1969/03/10/programming-and-problem-solving-the-logo-programming-language/.

  • Papert, S. (1973). Uses of technology to enhance education. Retrieved from November 7, 2017, MIT Logo and AI Memos. ftp://publications.ai.mit.edu/ai-publications/pdf/AIM-298.pdf.

  • Papert, S. (1980). Mindstorms, children, computers and powerful ideas. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Papert, S. (1993). The children’s machine. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Papert, S. (1999). Logo philosophy and implementation. (LCSI, Ed.) LCSI.

  • Papert, S., & Weir, S. (1978). Information prosthetics for the handicapped. Retrieved from November 10th, 2017, Logo Memo. ftp://publications.ai.mit.edu/ai-publications/pdf/AIM-496.pdf.

  • Papert, S., Weir, S., et al. (1971–1981). The logo memos. Retrieved from November 10th, 2017, Roamer Research. http://research.roamer-educational-robot.com/1971/10/01/the-logo-memos/.

  • Patterson, M. (1969). LOGO ambulatory executor—Turtle Robot. Retrieved from November 5th, 2017, Roamer Research. http://research.roamer-educational-robot.com/1969/08/03/logo-amblatory-executor-turtle-robot/.

  • Pea, R. D. (1984). Symbol systems and thinking skills: Logo in context. In Pre-proceedings of the 1984 national logo conference (pp. 55–66). Cambridge, MA: Laboratory of Computer Science, Massachusettes Institute of Technology.

  • Pea, R. D., & Kurland, M. (1984). On the cognitive effects of learning computer programming. New Ideas in Psychology, 2, 138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piaget, J. (2001). The psychology of intelligence. New York: Routledge Classics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plowden, B. (1967). Children and their primary schools. Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. Retrieved from November 10, 2017. http://www.educationengland.org.uk/documents/plowden/plowden1967-1.html.

  • Polishuk, A., & Verner, I. (2018). An elementary science class with a robot teacher. In M. Merdan & W. Lepuschitz (Eds.), Robotics in education. RiE 2017. Advances in intelligent systems and computing (Vol. 630, pp. 263–273). New York: Springer Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62875-2_24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polya, G. (1990). How to solve it. London, New York: Penguin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Popper, K. (1959). The logic of scientific discovery. London: Hutchinson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price, B. D. (2009). The con in constructivism. Retrieved from November 4th, 2017, Improve Education. http://www.improve-education.org/id55.html.

  • Sarralié, C. (1998). The Roamer: An object for readapting in the case of adolescents with a cranial trauma. Retrieved from http://goo.gl/zU3ND0.

  • Sawyer, R. (Ed.) (2006). The Cambridge handbook of the learning sciences. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

  • Staff Reporter. (2012). Robots may help kids with special needs. Retrieved from November 10th, 2017, Robotics Business Review. https://www.roboticsbusinessreview.com/health-medical/robots_may_help_kids_with_special_needs/.

  • Syn, H. N. (1990). Roamer and Its Application of visually Impaired Children. Microscope (NACCE MAPE). 4.

  • Thorndike, E. L. (1931). Human Learning. New York: The Century Co. Retrieved 8 Aug 2018 from https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015010306069;view=1up;seq=16

  • Turkle, S. (2007). Evocative objects: Things we think with. Cambridge: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turkle, S., Taggart, W., Kidd, C. D., & Daste, O. (2006). Relational Artifacts with children and elders: the complexities of cyber-companionship. Connection Science, 18(No 4), 347–361. Retrieved from May 16th, 2014. http://goo.gl/fOWrK2.

  • Valente, J. A. (1983). Creating a computer-based learning environment for physically handicapped children. MIT. Cambridge, MA: ACM Digital Library. Retrieved from November 7th, 2017. https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=889914.

  • Virnes, M. (2008). Robotics in special needs education. In Conference: Proceedings of the 7th international conference on interaction design and children. Chicago. Retrieved from November 10th, 2017. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221238374_Robotics_in_special_needs_education.

  • Vygotsky, L. V. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagstaff, M. (1993). Wandering star part 1. Retrieved from March 5, 2018, GO Magzine. http://go.roamer-educational-robot.com/1993/06/21/wandering-star-part-1/.

  • Wakefield, M. A. (2011). Retrieved from November 12th, 2017, National Center on Universal Design for Learning. http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines/downloads.

  • Warnock, H. M. (1978). Special education needs: Report of the committee of enquiry into the education of handicapped children and young people. London: HMO. Retrieved from November 6th, 2017. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20101007182820/, http://sen.ttrb.ac.uk/attachments/21739b8e-5245-4709-b433-c14b08365634.pdf.

  • Weir, S. (1979). The evaluation and cultivation of spatial and linguistic abilities in individuals with cerebral palsy. Retrieved from November 10th, 2017, MIT Logo Memos. ftp://publications.ai.mit.edu/ai-publications/pdf/AIM-570.pdf.

  • Weir, S. (1987). Cultivating minds: A logo case book. London: Longman Higher Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiliam, D. (2007). Assessment learning and technology: Prospects at the periphery of control. Keynote Speech: Association for Learning Technology. Retrieved from https://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2007/.

  • Williams, A., & Williams, R. (1986). Using microcomputer technology to develop reasoning abilities in special education students. Australian Journal of Special Education, 18(4), 17–20.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Valiant Technology Ltd., London, UK

    Dave Catlin

  2. Research Initiatives for Participation and Progress in Learning Environments, London, UK

    Mike Blamires

Authors
  1. Dave Catlin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mike Blamires
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dave Catlin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Catlin, D., Blamires, M. Designing Robots for Special Needs Education. Tech Know Learn 24, 291–313 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-018-9378-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-018-9378-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation