“Beyond Virtual Tutors – Semi-Autonomous Characters as Learning Companions” by Spierling
Conference:
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Title:
- Beyond Virtual Tutors – Semi-Autonomous Characters as Learning Companions
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Abstract:
How does an electronic interactive learning medium support constructive learning, beyond mere instructions and the supply of predefined exercises? This will be discussed in this paper, along with the consideration of new technical possibilities of virtual interoperable characters as learning companions. Following a brief summary of state-of-the-art Interactive Storytelling issues to be considered for the creation process, first experiences from two projects with different approaches are described that employ playful text-based conversations with graphical animated bots. The results lead to the (surprising) conclusion that the most significant learning process seemed to be achieved for the active authors of the conversational dialogues. Beyond an instructive “virtual tutor”, primarily misunderstood as replacing a human educator, different metaphors are suggested that change some expectations for learning with virtual characters. In the consequence, learners will be viewed as authors, who create their own virtual companion and shape it on their own responsibility.
Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Rose Vogel and Wolfgang Müller, for the fruitful interdisciplinary cooperation and discussion on educational aspects; and platform credits to the consortium of the art-E-fact project [Artefact 2005], especially to ZGDV, Darmstadt Germany.
