Research findings from synthetic character research: possible implications for interactive communication with robots

This work considers findings from synthetic character research using virtual learning environments. Children aged 8-11 years interacted with FearNot, a software package that deals with the social problem of bullying in schools. Following the interaction, children participated in classroom discussion forums, a method we have developed to assist children in verbalizing their views and perspectives. This approach enables the exploration of children´s opinions of the software and the potential to derive design implications from a child-centred perspective. The relevance and appropriateness of the research approach taken in the present study for the design and interaction with robots is discussed.