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How Facial Analysis Software Could Help Struggling Students

Posted by samzenpus on from the turn-that-frown-upside-down dept.

moon_unit2 writes "Tech Review has a story on research showing that facial recognition software can accurately spot signs that programming students are struggling. NC State researchers tracked students learning java and used an open source facial-expression recognition engine to identify emotions such as frustration or confusion. The technique could be especially useful for Massive Open Online Courses — where many thousands of students are working remotely — but it could also help teachers identify students who need help in an ordinary classroom, experts say. That is, as long as those students don't object to being watched constantly by a camera."

2 of 90 comments (clear)

  1. You Know What Else Works? Timers. by CanHasDIY · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Assignment 12-A is designed to require an average student approximately 20 minutes to solve.

    Student #001A solves the problem in 3.5 minutes - Too easy for his skill level

    Student #312Q solves the problem in 42.3 minutes - he is struggling and needs further assistance

    Problem solved, and you didn't have to spend a dime placing spy-cams at every workstation. You're welcome.

    --
    An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  2. Re:What about asking for help? by hawguy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Because some teachers want to have additional tools to proactively help struggling students that maybe tok shy or embarrased to ask for help. How terrible of an idea that is. Clearly the point of being a teacher is not helping their students, right?

    When you graduate and get a job, your boss isn't going to be using those same tools to check in on you to see when you're struggling and need help. Asking for help when you need it is part of the educational process. Giving students a crutch because they are "too shy" to ask for help doesn't really help them in the long run. If they are too shy to ask their instructor for help (the person they are paying to teach them), then how will they ever be able to say to their boss "Hey, I don't think I know how to get starting on this project, can you point me in the right direction".

    Besides, teachers already have tools to see when you're struggling and don't know the material - those tools are tests and homework.