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November 2005

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Subject:
From:
Jim Greenberg <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Teaching Breakfast List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 28 Nov 2005 08:18:36 -0500
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Tbers,


GIVING A FACE TO ONLINE TUTORS
Some researchers developing electronic tutoring tools are adding
animated faces that talk to students and respond to questions. Amy L.
Baylor, associate professor of instructional systems at Florida State
University, has created what she calls "pedagogical
agents"--essentially a talking head on a screen that she believes
provides a more compelling experience for students. Baylor has
conducted research into the effectiveness of varying types of tutoring
"characters," from older males to younger female faces. She said that
students always rate male personas as more credible than female ones,
but research has also shown that "female agents are more motivating
than male agents." Ronald A. Cole, professor and director of the Center
for Spoken Language Research at the University of Colorado at Boulder,
has created similar models and said they have demonstrated real
benefits to student learning. Others are not convinced that a face adds
much to the learning experience. Kurt VanLehn, professor of computer
science and a director of the Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center at
the University of Pittsburgh, focuses his efforts on text-based online
tutoring programs. He said he considered adding a character to his
application but decided against it, noting that the "literature on the
talking heads is mixed."
Chronicle of Higher Education, 23 November 2005 (sub. req'd)
http://chronicle.com/daily/2005/11/2005112301t.htm


Mr. James B. Greenberg
Director Teaching, Learning and Technology Center
Milne Library
SUNY College at Oneonta
Oneonta, New York 13820

email: [log in to unmask]
phone: 607-436-2701
fax:   607-436-3081
IM:  oneontatltc

"Ignorance is curable, stupidity lasts forever"

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