campusX

Telepresence Learning System

The cyber-physical Telepresence Learning System (TLS) involves telepresence robot, learning analytics, facial and eye sensors, VR/AR, and gamification tools. Its purpose is to provide an integrated, seamless, and interactive learning experience for students:

  • who are participating in a physical class remotely (i.e. a cyber student) and

  • who are physically present in the class (i.e. physical students).

TLS serves to enable physical representations of the remote cyber students in a face-to-face class, so that both cyber and physically present students are able to learn and collaborate together in an effective and socially connected manner. The learning analytics and sensors also provide instructors with real-time dashboard understanding of the learning responses of students, so that instructors can personalise and optimise learning for both cyber and physical students.

SUTD campusX calls this educational approach "cyber-physical learning".

Contributors

Kenneth Lo is Director of the Office of Digital Learning and Programme Director of campusX at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). His role at the Office of Digital Learning revolves around educational innovations, pedagogy, and educational services such as Edutech, Library, and Fabrication Laboratory. At SUTD, Kenneth is leading campusX, an innovation programme that strives to develop competency, tools, and systems for the future of education and sustainability. Kenneth has experience in technology innovations, predictive machine learning, and in designing engineering systems. 
Oka Kurniawan is a Senior Lecturer from the Information Systems Technology and Design (ISTD) pillar at SUTD. He is also the deputy director for SUTD's campusX programme. He has been involved in several educational research, including how to teach computing using games, robots, and recently AR/VR. Currently, he is also leading Thrust 6: Enhanced Learning through Innovative Technology (ELITE) that focuses on the pedagogy aspect of applying technology to education.

Shubhakar Kalya is working as a Senior Lecturer in Science, Mathematics and Technology (SMT) cluster at SUTD and is involved in teaching freshmore courses and higher term electives. He engaged in pedagogical research focusing on understanding immersive and integrative Cyber-Physical Learning Environment (CPLE). This teaching and learning CPLE approach merges remote cyber participants with in-class learners through technology-enhanced platforms such as immersive technologies, interactive digital screens, and online communication tools like Zoom or MS Teams. His work involves in understanding the challenges encountered by both students and instructors in this mode of learning, as well as the influence of advanced digital screens, audio-visual systems, and software on the collaborative nature of cyber-physical classes. Additionally, ongoing research explores the potential of advanced telepresence robots to enhance the learning environment through enhanced navigation capabilities and support for virtual reality interfaces.
Jacob Shihang Chen, an SUTD alumni from the pioneer batch of the Computer Science and Design (CSD*) programme, is currently a Research Senior Specialist with campusX and its Thrust 2: Immersive Realities Learning (IRL). He has been spearheading the adoption of XR as a tool for design and pedagogy since 2018, through the development of various content pieces, curriculum and exhibitions. He is also an Unreal Authorized Instructor, actively involved in teaching and mentoring student and research projects.

*The CSD programme was previously named Information Systems Technology and Design (ISTD).
Koh Hong Pin is a Research Assistant in SUTD's Design and Artificial Intelligence Programme. He holds the role of a developer for campusX and its Thrust 4: Socially Interactive Educational Robotics, contributing to the development of the Telepresence Learning System. Throughout his time at SUTD, he has actively participated in diverse Human-Robot Interactions (HRI) Projects and Publications. With a background in Product Design, he brings over 3 years of industry experience in product design and development.
Lee Ming Jun Melvin is currently a Research Senior Technologist with campusX and its Thrust 5: Advanced Learning Analytics (ALA) that is focused on providing insights for effective interventions. He is interested in applying analytics and artificial intelligence to improve teaching and learning.
Mridula Ratheesh Thekkedath is an alumnus from SUTD's Computer Science and Design pillar (CSD, Class of 2022) and currently working as a Research Senior Technologist under campusX and its Thrust 2: Immersive Realities Learning (IRL). They primarily work on developing XR technologies to be integrated in education, including products that have been and are currently being incorporated into the SUTD undergraduate curriculum.