AV1 Robot

[stumot]

Good Afternoon All, 

 

Years ago we trialled an AV1 robot in our SEN Department, it was used lightly and has since gone back, in a meeting today the possibility of buying an AV1 robot long term came up, I was wondering if anyone on here can vouch for how useful this is or if there are any cheaper alternatives for it as it seems overpirced but looking around there doesnt seem to be any other options at a quick glance 

 

Any testimonals of the robot or alternative solutions would be appreciated 

 

Thank you 

[msi_school]

I personally dont see the point it's £4k a year to have a student in a teams meeting, but with worse feed back potential. if the student does not want to be on camera you can turn off their web cam or have it pointing at an avatar that can indicate the same three responses that the robot has or any other options up to a fullly interactive voice chat however, I have never been able to get a SENCO to agree with this.

 

I would say the proof of my position is that we have two in a cupboard here but none in use.

[David44]

You could vibe code something similar to run as a Kiosk app on a Chromebook. Stick a Girl's World head on the top and add some colour changing USB lights and you've got an AV1 at a fraction  of the cost.

Something like this...

[Zedster1974-MGS]

Having worked at a school that had three, i can't stress the amazing impact of these devices if engagement is understood and implemented.  It's not only about the teaching and learning experience within the class but it allows a student who isn't able to make it to school for any reason the ability to re-join their friend groups at break & lunch.  It allows them to feel part of the school community again.

 

Some of the cost goes in the multi-network, unlimited data sim included in the robot so if the class go on a school trip, they can take the robot and the student either at school or home/hospital, etc. can still feel part of that event on the coach, at the location, etc. without the staff needing to worry about wifi hotspots or local wifi, etc.  and whilst, yes, that's not a lot in the £4k cost, but it does mean savings from a time point of view that the device just works almost anywhere.

 

It's not a "replacement" for a teams meeting, but a (and I hate I'm writing this phrase) virtual presence device to be used in conjunction with existing technology.

 

Please note... I have no link to NoIsolation other than supported getting the devices working at a previous school - as the above does sound like a sales pitch, i just firmly believe in their use and have seen the significant impact they can make when implemented and used properly and supportivly.

[ITGuyNW]

Its a lot of money for a webcam that moves. Also they wanted 12 months payment upfront which I wasn't happy with.

 

For a fraction of the cost you can get a webcam which tracks and use google classroom/microsoft teams.

[msi_school]

@Zedster1974-MGS is not wrong their is the potential for an excelent product, however in my experiance its not used.

 

This is a tool that needs the staff to plan for it in a number of ways, from the practical issues of having it in place and charged to having the way it is going to be included in the lesson plan and training for both the staff and the student. Sadly I dont see this happening in most schools.

 

[Zedster1974-MGS]

1 minute ago, msi_school said:

@Zedster1974-MGS is not wrong their is the potential for an excelent product, however in my experiance its not used.

 

This is a tool that needs the staff to plan for it in a number of ways, from the practical issues of having it in place and charged to having the way it is going to be included in the lesson plan and training for both the staff and the student. Sadly I dont see this happening in most schools.

 

 

In the most basic of it's use it sits at the absent student's desk - so I've never understood the "need to update the lesson plan and training" staff should just treat it like a student - what we did at my previous school was one of the classmates collected the device from student services first thing and returned it at the end of the day and student services then plugged it in to the charger.  Then it "sits" at the desk which would normally have the student sitting there.  As for training - what colour is it's head?  Red - the student is offline, Blue - student is online but not able to answer questions (for whatever reason), Green treat as if a normal student sitting at the desk and ask directed questions or look at it's face to gauge response/understanding.  

 

I'm IT, so have never stood in a classroom - but the schools I've seen these devices used and work really don't have to adjust their teaching too much, if at all.  The exception to that, i do understand, is the more practical lessons - the sciences as one example - as that does take a little more thought and interaction on behalf of the classmate who looks after the device.