A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Pedagogical Agents on Learning

• In Event: Roundtable Session 36
  In Roundtable Session: Effects of Individualized Feedback and Pedagogical Agents

Abstract

Pedagogical agents have been increasingly researched over the past decade. To gain a clear understanding of the effects of pedagogical agents on learning, the meta-analysis reviews 41 studies involving 3,008 participants. Most of the research participants were postsecondary students. Analysis of the results found a small but significant effect of using pedagogical agents for learning. Overall mean effect size was moderated by the contextual and methodological features of the research. The findings indicated that middle school aged students learned more effectively with pedagogical agents than postsecondary students. These findings have significant implications for advancing theory and practice, especially the design of pedagogical agents. The review concludes with highlights of future directions for pedagogical agent research.

Authors

• Noah L. Schroeder, Washington State University

• Olusola Olalekan Adesope, Washington State University

• Rachel Barouch Gilbert, Washington State University