Telepresence robots projected to help students learn remotely

Educational Leadership division chair at the USD School of Education David De Jong proposes telepresence robots be used for students unable to attend class.

“When the ability to be physically and social present in a classroom is obtained through a Wi-Fi connection and telepresence robot in the room, the possibilities to recruit and retain students from across the world may increase,” De Jong said in a press release. 

In De Jong’s study published by the Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, two telepresence robots were used in USD graduate courses. 

“The primary positive theme was a perception that the professors were going out of their way to retain the graduate students in their programs and to help them towards graduation. The use of telepresence robots opens up access for students located anywhere in the world within a hybrid course at USD,” De Jong said. 

Telepresence robots will help students attend class from a remote location, learning with peers just as they would in class.