In Austria, around 200,000 children and young people suffer from a chronic illness and can only participate in school lessons to a limited extent or not at all due to medical treatment or hospitalisation. The resulting social isolation can have serious and long-lasting consequences for young patients (Kirkpatrick 2020). To counteract this, digital education technologies such as telepresence robots are being used in everyday school life. The small robots enable patients to attend school virtually, meet friends and take part in lessons. This technology acts as a proxy for the patient at school and is controlled by the patient via a tablet. The telepresence systems are intended to help facilitate the social integration of children and adolescents with chronic illnesses so that they can participate in school life despite their illness (Zillner et al., 2022). As part of a qualitative interview study (n= 28) with affected pupils, parents, teachers and classmates, participation with a telepresence system at school was investigated. The study focussed in particular on factors that promote and hinder social inclusion. The data was analysed using qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz. In this article, the results of the study are presented and put up for discussion. Categories such as attitude, usage behaviour and interaction in the classroom with a telepresence system are discussed. These aspects are discussed in the context of a sense of belonging and social integration in the school environment. The aim is to identify opportunities and barriers to facilitate teachers' use of telepresence systems and to strengthen social inclusion.

Kirkpatrick, K. (2020). Adolescents With Chronical Medical Conditions and High School Completion: The Importance of Perceived School Belonging. Continuity in Education, 1(1), pp. 50-63. Kuckartz, U. & Rädiker, S. (2023). Qualitative Content Analysis: Methods, Practice and Software. SAGE Publications. Zillner, C., Turner, A., Rockenbauer, G., Röhsner, M., & Pletschko, T. (2022). Use of Telepresence System to Enhance School Participation in Pediatric Patients with Chronic Illnesses Involving the CNS: Zeitschrift für Neuropsychologie, 33 (4), 227 - 234.