Skip to main content
2,300 schoolchildren in Hsinchu County learn with Kebbie Robot, which will radually expand to the entire county next year.
  • PostDate:2020-09-25
  • Modified Date:2020-11-11

2,300 schoolchildren in Hsinchu County learn with Kebbie Robot, which will radually expand to the entire county next year.

    The Hsinchu County Government has plans for establishing the AI Platform for Places of Education and Childcare Services. Starting from July, the platform has been set up in 35 public kindergartens, special education preschool classrooms and allowing about 2,300 students have AI Kebbie Robot accompany them in their learning. Kebbie not only looks adorable but also enables teachers to use its design curriculum to inspire smart learning and it received more than 90% of satisfaction from its users. During the performance outcome presentation on September 25th, kindergarten children from one of the pilot schools performed a Kawaii dance with Kebbie. Starting next year, the platform will gradually be expanded to public kindergartens, special education classrooms and resource classrooms.
    County Magistrate Yang said that Kebbie Robot can be used by both school children and special education students. With its science and technology education apps, Kebbie Robot will inspire smart learning and cultivate talent, curiosity and intuition in these future leaders. The county government will also include the platform into its budget next year to promote the establishment of the AI partner platform in public kindergartens, special education classrooms and resource classrooms throughout the county. By doing so, the county can comprehensively develop smart education and create a sustainable future for children.
    According to Yang Chun-Tzu, Director of the Department of Education, the department is seeking to obtain a total of NT$40 million of funding from the Forward-Looking Children's AI Learning Development Platform Project offered by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and NT$19 million from the central government, and raise the remainder from vendors. The application of this platform will not only help the county popularize STEAM education and it will also provide a systematic management tool for on-site education, track the learning progress of the children and analyze the educational situation. As such, it can help with early intervention in the development of special education students and highlight the individualized learning effectiveness and development of the children.
    Director Yang explained that the functions of the AI robot encompass four dimensions. The AI Partner Platform dimension provides many digital educational resources that will enable frontline teachers to assist children with learning STEAM knowledge found in its digital education resources. The resources include digital picture book reading activities (hardcover picture books), the Newtonkids series and Nextedu weekly children's magazines. The Robot Interaction and Exploration dimension uses Kebbi Robot to inspire learning interest in children. The Multiple Interactive Content dimension provides comprehensive curriculum resources from many well-known domestic education providers. The Young Children Observation and Learning dimension manages the database of information from learning pre-tests and post-tests to determine effective changes.
    As the project execution unit, Charles Chang, the general manager of Lohas Learning website, also shared that the AI partner platform integrates smart system platforms, multiple STEAM software content, AI hardware equipment, big data analysis indicators and other professional services. It collaborates with research teams from the National Tsing Hua University to develop a diversity of games to provide more appropriate learning resources for preschool children and special education students to help increase their attention. The website will also be reciprocating by providing free online English teaching services to 100 disadvantaged or resource classroom kindergarten children or lower elementary school students.