RAINER for alphabet and numbers MASTERING on BASIS OF THE platform OF humanoid robot NAO

As social robotics technologies develop, many researchers have tried to describe possibilities of using robots to support education. This paper offers the description of a trainer which has been developed on the platform of the humanoid robot Nao as an example of the possible application of a social robot in teaching Russian language. The trainer is directed to the digestion of knowledge on Russian letters and numbers and is considered as the combination of social component of learning and information technologies. The authors suggest the conceptual and technical aspects of the trainer implementation. Social communicative structure of the trainer consists of the following frames: the etiquette frame including greetings and acquaintance; the frame of exposition, where the robot informs that it recently learned all the letters and numbers, then asked whether the interlocutor has the same knowledge. In the third frame «The Game» robot offers to start the game and explains the rules. The fourth frame consists of the expressions of the game completion and the praise of players. For the project implementation the paper cards were made with images of recognizable items (letters and numbers). Then each item was pronounced and recorded in the form of audio files. Also all the expressions were recorded in the same way. The voice of audio files was changed by means of the program Adobe Audition, to achieve a simulation of the child's voice effect. At this moment, the main problem emerges on the stage of images recognition, which is connected directly with the underlying platform. Manufacturers have provided two front cameras between viewing angles where there is a ‘blind spot’. During recognition it is possible to use only one of the two video cameras. This trainer can be used as an additional means for digestion and testing of new material. The prospects of trainer application consist in its using by working with children learning the alphabet and numbers. Besides it can be used in teaching Russian as the foreign language. Students will be able to improve their communication skills. The interactive humanoid robot application enables to implement the strategy of communicative approach in foreign language learning. A special opportunity for similar robots application is the work with autistic children. Using such a trainer has the following advantages: teacher’s routine work removal in exercises drilling; individualization of educational process for each student; complex use of visual images and auditory information, organization of independent work, etc. The specificity of this trainer is simulation of ordinary social learning environment including teacher and student learning and opportunity of using verbal and nonverbal communication.

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