Young patients who cannot attend school because of their illness are often disadvantaged. Sometimes teaching staff come to the hospital regularly or the children have to catch up on a lot of material. A new, innovative idea allows children to attend classes even when they are in hospital. A small robot, a so-called school avatar, attends classes in their place. Thanks to a camera and microphone, the device enables active participation from the hospital bed.
"My classmates often take me to recess and let me sit with them. Then it's almost as if I'm really there, because they talk to me and tell me a lot. I think it's nice to take part in lessons with the avatar, because you have lessons with your own class and that brings a bit of normality back into everyday life," reports Cara, a young cancer patient.
In autumn 2023, the association Initiative krebskranke Kinder München e.V. launched the "School Avatars" project. We supported the project and so far several young patients have been equipped with avatars. The children and young people, but also the teachers, are enthusiastic.
