Evaluating the impact of an automated body language assessment system

Abstract

The body language of an educator during a class can affect student’s level of interest and concentration. As an attempt to assist educators to improve their body language and speaking characteristics, a pilot body language analysis system that assesses the body language of educators was developed. The proposed application makes use of specific biometric features for determining body language quality during class delivery. The aim of the current study is to examine whether the proposed application can contribute to improving the teachers’ body language, whether the application can provide satisfactory feedback related to the teachers’ body language, and whether the use of the application in real classroom conditions is acceptable. As part of this effort the pilot application has been assessed by teachers of primary, secondary and university education. The experimental investigation involved two phases. In the first phase participants delivered a short lecture that was evaluated using the automated body language analysis application. After the lecture participants were informed about the operation of the application and they were presented with the feedback generated by the body language analysis. During the second phase participants delivered a second short lecture. By comparing the body language quality between the two phases, conclusions related to the impact of the application in improving body language were derived. Experimental results demonstrate that the application provides satisfactory feedback, it is acceptable to use the application in real class conditions, and the feedback provided can be used for self-assessment, reflection and improvement regarding educator’s body language.