I'm not sure if I learned anything but that face with the bubble certainly gave me some comic relief. It took quite a while before I could get my laughing under control. Thanx for sharing! ________________________________ From: Teaching Breakfast List on behalf of Gilbert, Steven Sent: Mon 11/28/2005 1:03 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Technology and Education - Posted to TB List by Jim Greenberg Steven J. Gilbert, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology & Department Chair State University of New York, College at Oneonta 127A Fitzelle Hall, Oneonta, NY 13820 Phone: 607-436-2557 FAX: 607-436-3753 E-MAIL: [log in to unmask] Web Address: http://www.oneonta.edu/faculty/gilbersj/Stevepage.htm Visit the Psychology Department Web Site http://www.oneonta.edu/academics/psyweb/ -----Original Message----- From: Teaching Breakfast List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jim Greenberg Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 8:19 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Technology and Education - Posted to TB List by Jim Greenberg 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"