Designing a mobile bio-feedback device to support learning activities

The purpose of this paper is the design of a mobile bio-feedback device that collects bio-signals from people and it assigns them to anxiety levels. Student emotional state recognition might be approved a significant support providing self-regulation besides teaching and coaching quality. The physiological reactions of the body affect the conductivity of the skin, skin temperature and heart rate. Based on this information the body produces bio-signals that can be processed to recognize basic human emotional states. Usually stressful situations result in increased skin conductivity. Another physiological reaction to increased human anxiety is decreased skin temperature. Also people under stressful conditions usually have increased heart rate values. Emotional state recognition and regulation may be an important factor in achieving better performance. Furthermore we could assert that there is often a skeptical attitude toward human contact with sensors which sometimes are annoying and may prove inconvenient especially when attached to fingers. In this work we focus on improving interaction with the device by designing a mobile version that gives users freedom of movement and mobility. There is a widespread adoption of mobile smartphones and tablets today in our everyday lives. So we can assume that everyone has access to one and developing an interface that links the bio-feedback device to them will broaden the scenarios where it could be used. This paper will also examine an activity where a mobile version of the device could be beneficial for the user, suggest a prototype design for a mobile adaptation of the user interface and lastly describe some new use cases that highlight the positive effect a mobile version of the device can have.