IFE Experiential Classroom

The Experiential Classroom is a signature project being developed by the IFE Living Lab which consists of a modular learning space, where researchers, faculty members, and companies are able to conduct educational research with multi-modal technologies at Tecnológico de Monterrey. This high-tech learning space will be located at the 4th level of Expedition in late 2024.

The Experiential Classroom will be an exciting and disruptive environment for experimental research, attractive to worldwide experts in Learning Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Human Computer Interaction, Computer Vision, and Data Science.

Capable of enabling research projects that require the collection, extraction, processing, integration, and analysis of the student/teacher interactions and behaviors taking place in different learning scenarios.

The Experiential Classroom users will gain access to 15+ state-of-the-art technologies, to acquire a deeper understanding of student’s learning, engagement, communication and collaboration through data collected in multiple modalities:

Skeletal (Postures, Gestures)
Visual (Attention, Behavior)
Tactile (Sketching, Writing)
Auditory (Speaking, Listening)
Physiological (Emotions, Biomarkers)
Neuronal (Focus, Concentration)
Spatial (Cohesion, Movement)
Environmental (Physical Factors)

Current Setup

The Experiential Classroom is currently conducting experiments at the IFE Living Lab headquarters, located at the 2nd floor of the Central Building (North side) in Tec (Monterrey Campus).

Our current setup can host small-scale research projects with up to 5 participants, inviting Tec’s researchers and faculty members to perform learning analytics research on the different features and factors present different learning scenarios.

Are you interested in conducting experimental research at the Experiential Classroom?

Our current setup includes:

2 High performance computers
2 XR headsets
2 VR headsets
3 Portable EEG headbands
1 Stationary eye-tracker
2 Medical-grade biomarker tracking wristbands
1 Depth camera
1 Portable 4K camera
2 Hand gesture sensors
2 Sketch tracking pens and journals
1 Audio console with lavalier microphones
2 iOS tablets
2 Rollable smart touch portable screens
1 Smart portable HD projector
Multiple HD displays

Current Experiments

S4L-ET

We are currently developing an experiment focused on the analysis of attention and focus through eye tracking in a human-computer interaction scenario.

This study involves students interacting with a logistic simulator, where we collect precise data on where and how participants focus their gaze on real time. This information is essential to understand attention patterns and how they correlate with performance on specific tasks within the simulator for the purpose of improving user-computer interfaces to facilitate learning and more effective interaction.

Previous Experiments

GTL-Mars

In 2023, we conducted a collaborative experiment focused on capturing multiple modalities for assessing remote teamwork (GTL-Mars).

The experiment involved teams of students working on the solution of an optimization problem within a hypothetical Mars colony operating a computer simulator via Zoom, where we collected raw audio and video data for the recognition of conversational patterns, emotions, and problem-solving performance.

This experiment was developed in collaboration with the Global Teamwork Lab, involving MIT, THUAS, and RUG.

NPFC-Test

In 2023, we conducted a Neuronal, Physiological, and Facial Coding experiment (NPFC-Test) that aimed at capturing multiple modalities for concentration and engagement assessment.

The NPFC-Test involved the human-computer-interaction within a 20 minute test which includes different activities with audiovisual stimuli, concentration tasks, and self-reports. We collected raw data from brainwave activity, digital biomarkers, RGB video for facial gestures recognition, and self-reports.

We are currently documenting the experiment’s dataset, which will be offered to researchers through the IFE Data Hub.