Critical success factors for application of social robots in special developmental schools: Development, adoption and implementation
International Journal of Educational Management
ISSN: 0951-354X
Article publication date: 23 December 2019
Issue publication date: 1 April 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address the role of social robots in the education industry, specifically within special developmental schools, as a part of an innovation technology portfolio. It identifies critical success factors (CSFs) arising from the development, adoption and implementation of social robots to educate students with special needs and assist their teachers.
Design/methodology/approach
The study engaged in longitudinal research over 12 months, tracking the role of the Matilda robot in providing educational services to students with special needs.
Findings
The results propose a three-faceted framework for social robot application in special education: development, adoption and implementation.
Originality/value
The study has shown the willingness of students and teachers to embrace social robot technology, and the CSF that arise from this adoption. It has also found that social robots achieve the greatest success within the development, adoption and implementation framework when championed by executive management, and peer teacher support.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The project was funded by House with No Steps (HWNS), under an external grant (Project Code: 3.4299.02). The authors would like to acknowledge the staff at Waratah Special Developmental School and the principal, teachers, students and their parents who participated in this research project.
Citation
Khaksar, S.M.S., Slade, B., Wallace, J. and Gurinder, K. (2020), "Critical success factors for application of social robots in special developmental schools: Development, adoption and implementation", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 34 No. 4, pp. 677-696. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-08-2019-0304
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited