Although robot avatars for education could result in the loss of human interaction between the student and humans, students could express themselves more as they feel less anxiety than when they were taught by humans. Studies also show that children who read to dogs in the Reading with Rover program read better than when reading to their human teachers. In human nature, everybody has their own opinion, and the student will no doubt feel that his peers or teachers would not accept his actions, or the student would not feel confident has he thought he would embarrass himself in front of his teacher and peers if he makes mistakes. Having a robot avatar could let them express themselves better, as robot avatars have no emotions, and will not feel disappointed or amusing if the child makes mistakes.
CA2 ASSIGNMENT 2
Chung Cheng High School(Main)
50 Goodman Road
Singapore 439012
5 May 2011
Mr Lim Boon Keng
Liason Officer
Singapore Children’s Society
298 Tiong Bahru Road
Singapore 168730
Dear Mr Lim
Helping out Singapore Children’s Society
I refer to your email dated 26 April on Service Learning Project. You have given my class two choices in the email; either academic coaching the children or befriending them. My name is Ted, and I would like to inform you of our choice regarding our decision of the two options that were given to us by the Singapore Children’s Society.
After the consideration of the two options you have provided, we have come to the conclusion that befriending the children is the best option. The main reason why this option was chosen is that we felt that every child needs a proper childhood, especially the young people from the Society, as they were abused, neglected, or come from dysfunctional families. Even though academic coaching is a better choice for the convenience of our students as the student care centre was located near our school, my class has noted the importance of bringing relief and happiness to children in need. My class is also very lively, and prefers hands on tasks.
We understand that we would have to commit to at least six hours of involvement with guiding the children. We could also help man a telephone hotline to provide a friendly ear for children who call in. This would be a better commitment other than just conducting tutoring sessions at the Society, as most children at the Society may respond better to us befriending them, rather than coaching them. Some of them might be so emotionally scarred from their own past, such that their least priorities may be their studies. Furthermore, being young, we may be able to relate to children better, and understand their needs more. This is also our chance to be good role models, and have a greater impact on the children in the Society.
My class also understands that there would be an option of signing up for a fully subsidised course on basic counseling. Thus, not only could we provide emotional support to the children and give them a better childhood, we could also benefit ourselves with basic counseling. This would be killing two birds with one stone.
Lastly, my class would like to note that befriending the children could actually make the children more confident of themselves. If we were to coach them, it would not be effective enough, as the children were often afraid they would make mistakes when answering questions, and they were reluctant to ask about the problems they could not work out as they were not confident enough. Befriending the children will let the children think more positively and speak out more confidently. Thus, I would like to conclude that befriending the children is a much better choice.
Although robot avatars for education could result in the loss of human interaction between the student and humans, students could express themselves more as they feel less anxiety than when they were taught by humans. Studies also show that children who read to dogs in the Reading with Rover program read better than when reading to their human teachers. In human nature, everybody has their own opinion, and the student will no doubt feel that his peers or teachers would not accept his actions, or the student would not feel confident has he thought he would embarrass himself in front of his teacher and peers if he makes mistakes. Having a robot avatar could let them express themselves better, as robot avatars have no emotions, and will not feel disappointed or amusing if the child makes mistakes.
CA2 ASSIGNMENT 2
Chung Cheng High School(Main)
50 Goodman Road
Singapore 439012
5 May 2011
Mr Lim Boon Keng
Liason Officer
Singapore Children’s Society
298 Tiong Bahru Road
Singapore 168730
Dear Mr Lim
Helping out Singapore Children’s Society
I refer to your email dated 26 April on Service Learning Project. You have given my class two choices in the email; either academic coaching the children or befriending them. My name is Ted, and I would like to inform you of our choice regarding our decision of the two options that were given to us by the Singapore Children’s Society.
After the consideration of the two options you have provided, we have come to the conclusion that befriending the children is the best option. The main reason why this option was chosen is that we felt that every child needs a proper childhood, especially the young people from the Society, as they were abused, neglected, or come from dysfunctional families. Even though academic coaching is a better choice for the convenience of our students as the student care centre was located near our school, my class has noted the importance of bringing relief and happiness to children in need. My class is also very lively, and prefers hands on tasks.
We understand that we would have to commit to at least six hours of involvement with guiding the children. We could also help man a telephone hotline to provide a friendly ear for children who call in. This would be a better commitment other than just conducting tutoring sessions at the Society, as most children at the Society may respond better to us befriending them, rather than coaching them. Some of them might be so emotionally scarred from their own past, such that their least priorities may be their studies. Furthermore, being young, we may be able to relate to children better, and understand their needs more. This is also our chance to be good role models, and have a greater impact on the children in the Society.
My class also understands that there would be an option of signing up for a fully subsidised course on basic counseling. Thus, not only could we provide emotional support to the children and give them a better childhood, we could also benefit ourselves with basic counseling. This would be killing two birds with one stone.
Lastly, my class would like to note that befriending the children could actually make the children more confident of themselves. If we were to coach them, it would not be effective enough, as the children were often afraid they would make mistakes when answering questions, and they were reluctant to ask about the problems they could not work out as they were not confident enough. Befriending the children will let the children think more positively and speak out more confidently. Thus, I would like to conclude that befriending the children is a much better choice.
Yours sincerely
Ted Dae
Leader of Service Learning project