T10 - HALF DAY

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Designing Effective Pedagocial Agents

Amy L. Baylor

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ABSTRACT OF TUTORIAL


The purpose of this tutorial is to introduce computer scientist researchers and
developers to cognitive science empirical research findings regarding appropriate
features for designing effective pedagogical agents in learning environments. The focus
will be on reviewing research (particularly controlled experimental studies) and in
presenting systematic methods for evaluating pedagogical agents.

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DETAILED OUTLINE

- Introduction

- Part 1: Effective pedagogical agent features
  For the first portion of the tutorial (approx 2 hours), the key areas 
  that will be discussed include the following,: 
  a) defining the instructional role of agent; 
  b) setting appropriate media features; 
  c) creating a viable persona; 
  d) determining type and amount of feedback; and, 
  e) implementing multiple pedagogical agents. 
  Throughout these topics, mini-demonstrations will be used to highlight 
  good versus poor pedagogical agent design.

- Part 2: Best ways to evaluate pedagogical agents
  For the second portion of the tutorial (approx 2 hours), the key 
  areas that will be discussed include the following: 
  a) determining the appropriate research method; 
  b) defining the related learning outcomes; 
  c) reviewing existing instrumentation; and, 
  d) designing custom-made instruments. 
  Throughout, there will be case study practice exercises for participants 
  to brainstorm appropriate research methodologies and instrumentation.

- Conclusion: Future research questions for pedagogical agents
  In conclusion, what we do not know yet about effective features for 
  pedagogical agents will also be briefly discussed.

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INTENDED AUDIENCE

This topic should be of significant interest to many conference attendees, particularly
those that are not familiar with the educational-related instructional technology and
cognitive science research regarding pedagogical agents. The focus on designing
systematic research methods to evaluate agents (employing both quantitative and
qualitative approaches) should also be of interest, given the importance of evaluation in
determining agent effectiveness.

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BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

No prerequisite knowledge is required for this tutorial.

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BIOGRAPHY OF PRESENTER


Amy L. Baylor, Ph.D 
Assistant Professor of Instructional Systems 
Director, PALS (Pedagogical Agent Learning Systems) Lab   
Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems 
Florida State University 
(850) 644-5203 
mailto: baylor@mail.coe.fsu.edu

Dr. Baylor founded and directs the NSF-sponsored PALS (Pedagogical Agent Learning
Systems) research lab at Florida State University. See http://pals.fsu.edu for more
information. She has served on expert panels for agents at International Conference of
Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT), on "Agents, Believability and Embodiment in
Advanced Learning Environments,” as a keynote speaker at the NSF-sponsored Agent
Institute, and as an invited speaker and visiting scholar researching pedagogical agents
at the Knowledge Based Systems Institute at the University of Hannover, Germany.
Dr. Baylor has published extensively in this area and is extremely knowledgeable
regarding pedagogical agent research. She has also taught advanced seminars in
educational research methodology, particularly as applied to advanced learning
technologies.