Project Description
Our work examines the means and utility of using animated agents to
promote positive learning experiences. We initially focused on
developing and improving a user interface that would support an
animated agent, and evaluating these changes on the teachable agent's
target audience, K-12 students. My group and I animated the agent,
using a videographic representation and using the manifold learning
techniques described previously for traditional animation. We chose
these methods to enable an easily customizable, easily authored agent.
The effects of agent appearance, gender, expressions, and style of
motion in promoting learning are still under investigation. We have
demonstrated, however, that both the improved interface and the
presence of an animated agent promote positive learning experiences
for our target audience. We have constructed a system that facilitates
easy authoring of animated learning environments, and we have shown
that an animated teachable agent promotes a better learning outcome
than one without animation. For more information on the broader project,
see the
teachable agent web site.
.