2.The days of staring at the computer screen pretending to take an interest in an assignment even though you are bored out of your mind may soon be coming to an end.That's because computers of the future will be able to detect boredom and even react to it in real time.
But before you get concerned,the machine is not reading your mind.It is just keeping track of the constant involuntary movements that people exhibit when in front of a computer or even a television.These are not the bigger instrumental actions like moving a mouse or using the remote,but sensitive hardly noticeable movements like scratching.Researcher Witchel says the level of movement directly shows how absorbed the person is in what he/she is reading or watching-the higher the interest level,the less the movement!
To test the theory,Witchel and his team invited 27 people and exposed them to a variety of digital content for three minutes at a time.The activities ranged from playing online games to reading documents like the EU banking regulations that most people would find boring.
A video motion (動(dòng)作) tracker monitored their movements as they powered through each assignment.Just as the researchers had suspected,the involuntary actions decreased remarkably,by as much as 42%,when the subjects were totally absorbed in what they were reading or seeing.
Fortunately,the scientists are not planning to use the findings to create machines that report students who are not focusing at school.Instead,they believe that applying the motion detecting technology to future computers will help improve the digital learning experience.
The scientists say being able to judge the student's interest level will enable educators to adjust the materials in real time and reengage the student.Witchel also believes that the technology can provide filmmakers with honest audience opinions.
8.Which movement does the machine keep track of?C
A.Breathing.B.Typing.C.Scratching.D.Walking.
9.What might people's high level of movement indicate during TVwatching?B
A.They are getting excited.
B.They are feeling bored.
C.They are very interested.
D.They are thinking actively.
10.How did the researchers come to the conclusion?D
A.By a followup survey.
B.By analysing previous data.
C.By means of questionnaires.
D.By observing participants'performance.
11.Which field will detecting technology be applied to?D
A.Agriculture.B.Politics.C.Industry.D.Education.