The Effects on Multimedia Learning of Different Gestures Made by Multimedia Pedagogical Agents

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: Technology and Social Spaces (San Diego)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions made online remote learning such a necessity that investigating the instructional effectiveness of online learning is needed more than ever. This study focuses on online learning aided by multimedia pedagogical agents who allow users to navigate or learn in multimedia environments, such as online modules. Specifically, we conducted a moderator analysis to compare studies with different types of gesturing pedagogical agents (signaling, non-signaling gestures, and non-gesturing) with studies without agents. Results indicate no significant differences between the three types of gestures. However, studies including signaling agents showed significantly higher learning scores than the studies without agents; suggesting that agents can be effective visual additions to online learning modules. Theoretical and practical implications will be discussed.

Authors

• Rachel Min Wong, The University of Tennessee

• Juan Cristobal Castro-Alonso, Universidad de Chile

• Olusola Olalekan Adesope, Washington State University

• Fred Paas, Erasmus University Rotterdam