Understanding the Potential of Telepresence Robots in Higher Education Learning: A Case Study

This study examines the feasibility of using telepresence robots (TPRs) in higher education, focusing on the benefits and challenges reported by six students during and after a dedicated course on telepresence robotics. The students’ assessments were collected through written homework submitted during the winter and spring semesters of 2023. The findings indicate that TPRs have both advantages and disadvantages. Students mentioned that TPRs offer several advantages related to social presence, such as perceiving body language, enhancing social belonging, providing a better understanding of the classroom environment, and improving collaboration and communication. However, they also identified drawbacks, including sensitivity to internet/Wi-Fi quality, limited mobility, audio noise, high cost, and the need for extensive training. The students’ perspectives evolved over time as they gained practical experience with TPRs, making them more aware of audio and vision-related aspects. Despite these challenges, no clear preference for TPRs or videoconferencing emerged as the favored medium for remote learning. This study contributes to the understanding of using TPRs in higher education and highlights the importance of considering both the benefits and challenges when implementing such technologies.