14 Nov 2004 International Symposium on Advanced Technologies in Education, 13-14 November 2004, Athens,Greece 1
Wearable Computers in Education: The Lab of Tomorrow Project
Theodoros N. Arvanitis, RT, DPhil, CEng, MIEE, MIEEE, FSIM
Senior Lecturer in Distributed and Complex Adaptive Systems
Distributed & Complex Systems Lab
Human Interface Technologies & Educational Technology
Research Groups
Department of Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering,
School of Engineering, The University of Birmingham,
Edgbaston, Birmingham,
B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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Wearable Computing in Education:
The Challenge Bridging the gap between pedagogy and front-end technology
Introducing innovation in learning and computational toolsThe Lab of Tomorrow project is a European project primarily concerned with capturing sensor data from the local environment, for transmission to some control computer or computers. This is then be used for analysis during science school classes (e.g. high-school physics)
Introducing the concept of wearable computational and on-body sensing devices
Combining the use of “toys” for activity-based learningAn elaborate system of distributed computation, embedded-sensing devices, positioning calculation, and data analysis.
www.laboftomorrow.org
IST-2000-25076
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Lab of Tomorrow: The Vision
To contribute towards the connection of science with everyday life activities
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Lab of Tomorrow: The partnership
ICCS/NTUA (Greece) – Co-ordinatorUniversity of Birmingham (UK) - SensVestNational Technical University of Athens (Greece) - Axion Ball and LPS ANCO (Greece) - Radio Network and SensBeltUniversity of Dortmund (Germany) - Pedagogical Framework COREP (Italy) – Interface softwareEllinogermaniki Agogi (Greece) – Coordination of implementation and dissemination 5 European Schools
Ellinogermaniki Agogi (Greece)Pininfarina School (Italy)Helene Lange School (Germany)Phoenix Gymnasium (Germany)
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Wearable Computing: Our Perspective
A new form of an embedded-computing:
Computing paradigm in contrast to the desktop model Integrating computers into our everyday activities
Wearable (a definition):Portable while operationalOn-body, embedded in clothes, hands-freeSensing the environmentSupporting activity in a ubiquitous mannerAlways-on (…depending on energy capacity)
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Wearable Computing: Distributed Embedded Systems
Baber, et al., IBM Systems Journal, Vol 38, No 4, 1999
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Activity-Based Computing
In the past 5 years we have questioned whether the contemporary approach to the design of computer applications can be sustained for future technologies.
Norman proposes that future computers will offer restricted function sets (activity-related), and that people will select the function set most appropriate to their defined requirements.
LoT: Activity-based, user-centred approach in design
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Design process
Prototype
TechnicalEvaluation
WearerEvaluation
UsabilityEvaluation
Refinement
Pedagogical requirement and technology constraints
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SensVest Design Objectives
Develop a wearable system that will measure aspects of real world human performance that can be used to form the basis of a physics lesson
Specifically, measure aspects of energy expenditure and movement
What would be interesting to measure?
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Types of Activity Measures
Heart rateCommonly used measure of assessing energy expenditure.linear relationship between oxygen uptake and heart rate at moderate to high intensities of exercise (Astrand & Rodahl, 1986).
Temperature>75% of the energy utilised during physical work is converted into heat (Astrand & Rodahl, 1986).Core body temperature increases linearly with oxygen uptake in exercise with the arms and the legs (Nielsen, 1938).
AccelerometryCan measure the accelerations of body segments (e.g. arms and legs individually).Can also be used to give a measure of energy expenditure.
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Ergonomics
Be easily mounted in a shirt
Safe to wear
Cause minimal disruption to movement
Simple to set-up
Reliable and produce consistent output
Comfortable
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Fitting Technology to the Body
Heart rate measured with pulse meter (microphone, pressure)
Temperature sensor
Accelerometers (body, arm, leg)
Processor
Display
Radio module
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SensVest evolution
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Electronics
LCD displaySelect sensors & sampling frequencyShows heart rate and temperatureCalibrate accelerometers
Embedded-systemMitsubishi M16C microprocessor 5V power supply – rechargeableBattery life >16hoursRS232 serial comms
Sensors
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Trials
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Abseiling
Body acceleration recorded when abseiling
Accelerometer trace used to tell a story of physical activity
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Abseiling
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SensBelt
ANCO
Smaller
Wireless
Belt
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WearabilityEmotion
Low High
Attachment
Low High
Harm
Low High
Perceived change
Low High
Movement
Low High
Anxiety
Low High
Title Endpoints Description
Emotion Low/High I am worried about how I look when I wear this device. I feel tense or on edge because I am wearing the device.
Attachment Low/High I can feel the device on my body. I can feel the device moving.
Harm Low/High The device is causing me some harm. The device is painful to wear.
Perceived change Low/High Wearing the device makes me feel physically different. I feel strange wearing the device.
Movement Low/High The device affects the way I move. The device inhibits or restricts my movement.
Anxiety Low/High I do not feel secure wearing the device.
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Usability
Comfort rating
Failure Modes Effects & Criticality Analysis
Standard engineering approach to define potential for failureAdapted to human error
Novel application to usability evaluation
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Social Acceptance: Current Issues
Will the use of wearable computers become a symbol of elitism or will they become accepted as part of the daily routine?
Is the integration of computer equipment into the body more acceptable than a wearable computer module?
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Conclusions
Wearable technology used to study human performance and physical laws
Integrated within the curriculum of test school sites
Development approach bridged the gap between technology and pedagogy
Socially accepted: Teachers and students adopted the final design and created new scenarios of use
Further dissemination was encouraged
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Thank you