Optimizing Virtual Classrooms: Real-Time Emotion Recognition with AI and Facial Features

Online education, especially post-COVID, faces the challenge of maintaining student engagement, particularly at the college level. A key factor in effective learning is understanding students’ emotional states, as they influence comprehension and participation. To address this, we propose an intelligent system that classifies students’ emotions by analyzing facial expressions, allowing teachers to adapt their methods in real-time. Our system utilizes the Learning Focal Point algorithm to improve emotion classification accuracy, focusing on key facial regions related to emotional expressions. The methodology involves preprocessing facial images, extracting features, and classifying emotions using the algorithm. Trained on a diverse dataset, the system performs well under various conditions, with a classification accuracy of 94% based on a well-known database. Although the system shows significant improvements over traditional methods, factors like image quality and internet connection can impact accuracy in realworld applications. Ultimately, our approach enhances remote learning by providing real-time emotional feedback, fostering a more responsive and student-centered environment.