Usage Instructions for LetsLearn!

This document explains how to use LetsLearn!, the attention training and motivation tool based on the Emotiv EPOC 14-electrode EEG headset. LetsLearn! is a joint project between Clemson University and Android Technologies, Inc.

Introduction

LetsLearn! is an attention training and motivation tool. The current version uses the Affectiv signal detection suite provided by the Emotiv EPOC EEG headset to detect when the user is having trouble concentrating on study materials. When that condition is detected, a topically related video automatically plays. This video is known as the Engagement Video. The Engagement Video is intended to revive the user’s interest in the study material by providing entertaining and engaging content in video form. Here is a screenshot of the main screen.

NOTE: Please run LetsLearn! now and follow along with this tutorial.

1. Selecting The Engagement Video

First, determine the video you want to play if the user’s attention starts to fade. If the video is not already on YouTube, upload it now. Then, go to the video host page on YouTube. Click on the tab titled Share This Video underneath the video. You should see the following, but most likely with a different URL than that displayed below:

Copy the URL displayed to your clipboard!

Switch back to the LetsLearn! application. If it is not already visible, click on the the Video Tab on the main interface screen to make sure it is showing. You should see the following:

Paste the URL from your clipboard into the edit box titled Video URL. Then click on the Test button to make sure it works properly. You should see the video start to play. Stop the video when you are satisfied with the results. You have now configured the video that will play when the user’s attention starts to fade.

2. Define your Warm-Up period & Affectiv Trigger

A brief description on how a LetsLearn! session works. When you begin a session initially there is a warm-up period. During this time the Engagement Video will not play even if the user’s attention starts to fade. The user needs time to get interested in the study materials without interference from the system. Once the warm-up period expires the system is active and if the user’s attention starts to fade the Engagement Video will play.

The Settings tab

NOTE: When you start LetsLearn! for the first time, all the sliders will be set to 0 and all the slider statuses will be OFF.

Below is a screenshot of a potential LetsLearn! Affectiv Trigger profile. In this example, LetsLearn! is configured to wait 120 seconds (2 minutes) before becoming active. Once active, the current slider settings indicate the Engagement video will play if the Short Term Excitement signal (Excite Short) falls under 45 OR if the Frustration signal goes over 80:

Setting the Warm-Up period duration

To change the warm-up period duration, enter a value into the text box labeled Seconds remaining.

Defining the Affectiv Trigger

To change the conditions that will trigger the Engagement video, use the sliders and slider status boxes. There is one slider/status box pair for each Affectiv signal: Engagement/Boredom, Short Term Excitement, Long Term Excitement, Frustation, and Meditation.

If a slider’s status is set to OFF, then that Affectiv signal will not trigger the Engagement Video. If set to under then the video will play if the Affectiv signal represented by the slider falls below the value the slider is set to. Conversly, if set to over the video will play if the signal is over the slider value. Set the slider values and statuses to match the conditions that you want to trigger the video.

TIP: Remember, the logical relationship between the sliders is an OR relationship. If the slider/status setting for any active slider is met, the video will play.

TIP: You can use the RESET button to quickly set all the sliders to 0 and their status to OFF.

3. Start a Session

When you are ready, press the Start Session button in the lower left hand corner of the main screen to begin:

The countdown timer will countdown the seconds remaining in the warm-up period. You can monitor the user’s Affectiv signals in the Affectiv graph display during this time. Here’s a screenshot of a sample session. You can see that the system still has 86 seconds to go before becoming active.

When the Affectiv Trigger profile you defined with the Settings tab is detected by the Emotiv EPOC headset, the Video tab will automatically appear and the Engagement Video will play, as shown below:

In this example the video chosen is an interview with the illustrious Dr. Juan E. Gilbert, PhD. Dr. Gilbert is a professor and chair of the Human Centered Computing Division at Clemson University’s School of Computing. Here is the screenshot that the above image was taken from. Note the change in the Affectiv signals, especially the Frustration plot in the Affectiv graph.

Stopping a Session

To stop the session and reset the system for a new session, just press the Stop Session button in the lower left hand corner of the main screen, shown below:

That is it. If you have any questions, please use the Contact Us link below.