insight - Education - # Human-Robot Interaction Course

Teaching Introductory HRI: UChicago Course Overview

Q: How can hands-on research projects like these impact students' future careers in HRI?

Hands-on research projects in HRI courses can have a significant impact on students' future careers in the field. By engaging in practical research projects, students gain valuable experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing HRI studies. This hands-on experience allows students to develop critical research skills, such as study design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, which are essential for success in HRI research roles. Additionally, working on real-world projects with robots provides students with a tangible understanding of the challenges and complexities involved in human-robot interactions. This practical experience can set students apart in the job market, demonstrating their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and showcasing their proficiency in conducting HRI research.

Q: What are the potential drawbacks of focusing on class discussions over practical skills in HRI courses?

While class discussions play a crucial role in fostering critical thinking and knowledge exchange in HRI courses, there are potential drawbacks to focusing solely on discussions over practical skills. One drawback is that students may not have sufficient hands-on experience with robots, limiting their ability to apply theoretical concepts to real-world HRI scenarios. Without practical skills development, students may struggle to translate theoretical knowledge into actionable research projects or industry applications. Additionally, a lack of hands-on experience may hinder students' ability to navigate the technical challenges and ethical considerations inherent in HRI research. Overemphasis on class discussions could also lead to a disconnect between theoretical concepts and practical implementation, potentially impacting students' readiness for careers in HRI that require a strong foundation in both theoretical understanding and practical skills.

Q: How can the course adapt to include more diverse perspectives in the field of HRI?

To incorporate more diverse perspectives in the field of HRI, the course can take several proactive steps. Firstly, the course curriculum can be expanded to include readings, case studies, and guest lectures from researchers and practitioners representing diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and research interests within HRI. By exposing students to a wide range of perspectives, the course can foster a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of human-robot interactions. Additionally, the course can encourage students to explore topics such as cultural differences in HRI, gender biases in robot design, and ethical considerations related to diversity and inclusion in HRI research. Providing opportunities for students to engage with diverse perspectives through group projects, discussions, and research assignments can help broaden their understanding of the multifaceted nature of HRI and prepare them to address complex societal challenges in the field.

Core Concepts

Hands-on introduction to HRI research.

Abstract

1. Introduction:

Course designed for undergraduates and graduates.
Focus on core concepts and cutting-edge research in HRI.
Involves class discussions and collaborative research projects.

2. Course Structure:

Limited to 20 students for effective discussions.
Quarter system with 9 weeks of instruction.
Emphasis on core topics in HRI.

3. Learning Objectives:

Broad understanding of HRI research.
Cultivate analytical and critical thinking skills.
Gain hands-on research experience.

4. Class Meetings:

Three times a week for 50 minutes each.
Discussions on selected papers with analytical comments.
Guest presenters for deeper insights.

5. Hands-On Course Project:

Quarter-long research project in groups.
Access to various robots for projects.
Options for different types of projects.

6. Grading:

Project contributes to 60% of the grade.
Analytical comments, discussion leadership, and attendance also graded.

7. Student Feedback:

Positive feedback on class discussions and hands-on projects.
Desire for more instruction on HRI methods.

8. Reflections:

Strength in hands-on research projects.
Areas for improvement in providing more support on HRI methods.

9. Acknowledgments:

Thanks to students and inspiration from other courses.

10. References:

List of references for further reading.

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Stats

"In 2020, I designed the course CMSC 20630/30630 Human-Robot Interaction: Research and Practice as a hands-on introduction to human-robot interaction (HRI) research for both undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Chicago."
"The course has no prerequisites, however backgrounds in robotics or HCI is encouraged."
"Students also participate in a quarter-long collaborative research project, where they pursue an HRI research question that often involves conducing their own human-subjects research study where they recruit human subjects to interact with a robot."

Quotes

"Students reported enjoying the class discussions, feeling challenged to think about human-robot interaction in new ways."
"Students also gain hands-on experience with HRI by conducting an HRI research project of their own design that they complete throughout the academic quarter."

Key Insights Distilled From

Teaching Introductory HRI

by Sarah Sebo at arxiv.org 03-28-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2403.18692.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can hands-on research projects like these impact students' future careers in HRI?

Hands-on research projects in HRI courses can have a significant impact on students' future careers in the field. By engaging in practical research projects, students gain valuable experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing HRI studies. This hands-on experience allows students to develop critical research skills, such as study design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, which are essential for success in HRI research roles. Additionally, working on real-world projects with robots provides students with a tangible understanding of the challenges and complexities involved in human-robot interactions. This practical experience can set students apart in the job market, demonstrating their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and showcasing their proficiency in conducting HRI research.

What are the potential drawbacks of focusing on class discussions over practical skills in HRI courses?

While class discussions play a crucial role in fostering critical thinking and knowledge exchange in HRI courses, there are potential drawbacks to focusing solely on discussions over practical skills. One drawback is that students may not have sufficient hands-on experience with robots, limiting their ability to apply theoretical concepts to real-world HRI scenarios. Without practical skills development, students may struggle to translate theoretical knowledge into actionable research projects or industry applications. Additionally, a lack of hands-on experience may hinder students' ability to navigate the technical challenges and ethical considerations inherent in HRI research. Overemphasis on class discussions could also lead to a disconnect between theoretical concepts and practical implementation, potentially impacting students' readiness for careers in HRI that require a strong foundation in both theoretical understanding and practical skills.

How can the course adapt to include more diverse perspectives in the field of HRI?

To incorporate more diverse perspectives in the field of HRI, the course can take several proactive steps. Firstly, the course curriculum can be expanded to include readings, case studies, and guest lectures from researchers and practitioners representing diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and research interests within HRI. By exposing students to a wide range of perspectives, the course can foster a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of human-robot interactions. Additionally, the course can encourage students to explore topics such as cultural differences in HRI, gender biases in robot design, and ethical considerations related to diversity and inclusion in HRI research. Providing opportunities for students to engage with diverse perspectives through group projects, discussions, and research assignments can help broaden their understanding of the multifaceted nature of HRI and prepare them to address complex societal challenges in the field.