Perceptions about the Future of Integrating Emerging Technologies into Higher Education—The Case of Robotics with Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Emerging technologies (ETs) will most likely have a strong impact on education (starting with higher education), just like they have already had in so many economic and social areas. This paper is based on the results obtained in the project “My Future Colleague Robot”, an initiative that aimed to improve the competence of university teaching staff regarding the introduction of ETs in teaching practices at university level. In this paper, we identified the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that are related to the adoption in higher education of the combination of two ETs: robotics together with artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, we analyzed the perceptions of university-level teaching staff about the potential of introducing ETs in education. The empirical data presented here were collected using written essays from 18 university teachers and students. Deductive and inductive approaches with thematic analysis were used for the data analysis. The findings support the idea that previous ET-related experience can support positive attitudes and the implementations of ETs in university teaching; in this study, university teachers had optimistic expectations towards ETs, accepting them as part of teaching practice development, while discussion about the negative effects of ETs was negligible.

The prevalence and use of emerging technologies in STEAM education: A systematic review of the literature

“…Reflecting on various definitions within the context of education (see Sosa et al, 2017) • They are potentially disruptive, but have not reached their full potential yet: Despite their innovative nature and the possibilities they offer to radically transform the current state of affairs in education, their potential is mostly unfulfilled since they are still not widely tested in real classroom situations, and their link to pedagogical approaches and activities is still not sufficiently developed (Leoste et al, 2021).…”

Higher education personnel’s perceptions about telepresence robots

“…Convincing teachers to accept and adopt novel technologies may require good understanding about the teachers’ perspectives ( Milles et al, 2013 ). Bringing a novel technology with its accompanying methods into existing teaching practices at the universities requires introduction of the technology to the teachers, gathering their feedback, and constructing an implementation plan that considers the needs of teachers ( Leoste et al, 2021b, p. 4 ).…”

“…Yet, implementing emerging technologies effectively is a difficult task when people lack related knowledge, skills and readiness to apply them, or have sceptical and negative attitudes towards technology ( Leoste et al, 2021a ). Convincing teachers to accept and adopt novel technologies requires good understanding about introduction of technologies to teachers, teachers’ technological frames, gathering their feedback, and constructing an implementation plan that considers their needs ( Leoste et al, 2021b ; Spieth et al, 2021 ).…”

“…frames, gathering their feedback, and constructing an implementation plan that considers their needs (Leoste et al, 2021b;Spieth et al, 2021).…”

Narrative Integrated Career Exploration Platform

“…At the initial stage of development, a total of four playable career exploration tracks were deployed. Each track represents an emerging technology with projected significance in global industry and academia (Leoste et al, 2021). The tracks focus on applications of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, internetof-things, and electronic design.…”