Pedagogical agents are autonomous intelligent agents which inhabit a computer-based learning environment and interact with the environment, students, and even other agents. Research in Pedagogical agents is a relatively new area, drawing on previous work in intelligent tutoring systems, educational theory, autonomous agents, and other areas of mainstream AI. Pedagogical agents are adaptable, can support cooperative learning, make use of opportunistic instruction strategies, and support mixed-initiative problem solving. Pedagogical agents are typically embodied in a semi-lifelike character, which provides both advisory and non-advisory behavior. This personification has been shown to provide a positive affective impact for students, as well as the cognitive benefit gained from the agent's advice and instruction.
In this seminar, we will be reading a number of papers regarding pedagogical agents and discussing design issues and open research problems related to them. Our readings will range from technical issues to issues in educational theory and methodology.
We will also be working to design pedagogical agents for one or more learning environments. Stay tuned for more info on our project progress here.
Jan 12, 1999
Paper: Pedagogical
Agents by W. Lewis Johnson.
Jan 19, 1999
Paper: Lifelike
Pedagogical Agents for Mixed-Initiative Problem Solving in Constructivist
Learning Environments by James Lester, Brian Stone, and Gary Stelling.
(Postscript).
Let's read the entire paper, but only present sections 1, 2, and 3,
with discussion. They outline the interactive design of Herman the Bug
and his environment, along with the computational task modeling. Section
4 discusses the behavior sequencing engine in detail, which we may or may
not want to look at. Craig will present sections 1 and 2, and Adam will
present section 3.
February 2, 1999
Demonstrations of possible environments in which to host pedagogical
agents.
February 9, 1999
Evaluation of prospects for environments for pedagogical agents (discussion).
Assignment: each partipant will write up a one-page design description
for a pedagogical agent.
February 16, 1999
Presentation of brief designs for pedagogical agents.