Understanding Educational Potential and Value of Affective Computing

Abstract

Educational systems have met information and communication technologies many years ago. Although many years of effort and vast investments, the integration of ICT with educational systems is still weak. Besides many others, lack of interactivity and emotionality in current technologies can be seen as obstacles in front of this integration. We know that learning is associated not only with our cognitive abilities but also with our emotions and affective states. Affective computing is an interdisciplinary branch that is interested in design of systems and devices that can recognize, interpret, process and respond to users' affective states. Affective computing may contribute to interactivity and emotionality of human-computer interaction. Within the scope of this book chapter, related scientific literature was reviewed in order to investigate educational value and potential of affective computing.