Symposium: Future Directions for Pedagogical Agent Research

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

After 20 years of research, there is now an extensive research literature on the design and effectiveness of pedagogical agents, i.e., animated anthropomorphic interface agents in support of learning. The field has expanded its scope from the provision of expert guidance through intelligent agent-based systems to a broader interest in agents’ social and affective capabilities to support learners.

Please join us in this interactive symposium, where leaders in pedagogical agent research will discuss future directions for pedagogical agent research, current technological challenges, practical implications for the classroom, and the unique affordances and limitations of agents for learning-related outcomes.

Each panelist will present a brief 8-10 min “flash talk,” followed by an interactive discussion and debate among panelists and the audience.

Sub Unit

• Division C - Learning and Instruction / Division C - Section 3b: Technology-Based Environments

Chair

• Amy L. Baylor, National Science Foundation

Papers

• Designing AutoTutor Agents to Help Adults With Reading Comprehension Difficulties - Arthur C. Graesser, The University of Memphis

• Serious Games: A New Domain for Pedagogical Agent Research? - Steffi Heidig, University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Goerlitz; Felix Kapp, TU Dresden; Susanne Narciss, Technische Universitaet Dresden

• Pedagogical Agents for Change: Renewing the Focus on Engagement - H. Chad Lane, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

• Agents as Lifelong Learners - W. Lewis Johnson, Alelo, Inc.

• Pedagogical Agents for Game-Based Learning - James Lester, North Carolina State University