Master’s Thesis Proposal Meeting

Date: Monday, May 6, 2024

Time: 12:00 - 1:30 PM 

Via Teams: click here

Thesis Chair/Advisor: Richard Catrambone, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech) 

Thesis Committee Members:

Richard Catrambone, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech) 

Bruce Walker, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech) 

Mengyao Li, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Title: Impact of Content Domain and Preference on Pedagogical Agent Effectiveness

Abstract: Pedagogical agents (PAs) are virtual, typically anthropomorphic, characters used in online learning environments to improve users’ learning outcomes. They have been shown to increase learning and motivation; although less conclusively, they are also suggested to potentially reduce cognitive load. Despite the widespread utilization and investigation of PAs, questions remain. One is: does a learner who prefers not to learn with a PA reap the same pedagogical benefits as one who does prefer a PA? The proposed study aims to address this by investigating the effects of matching versus mismatching PA usage with learners' preferences for a PA. Additionally, it will explore whether PA effectiveness varies across content domains, specifically mathematics and art, a largely unexplored area in PA research. The proposed study is composed of two experiments. Experiment 1 will employ a 2 (PA Assignment: with vs. without a PA) by 2 (Lesson: math vs. art) mixed design to assess immediate learning, retention, motivation, and subjective workload. PA persona will also be measured, which is a participant’s perception of the PA based on its personality and characteristics. Experiment 1 seeks to (a) validate the PA’s effectiveness prior to its use in Experiment 2, and (b) compare the impact of the PA in a math lesson to its impact in an art lesson. Experiment 2 will utilize a 2 (PA Preference: prefers vs. does not prefer a PA) by 2 (PA Assignment: with vs. without a PA) between-subjects design. The dependent variables of learning, motivation, subjective workload, and PA persona will be used to analyze the effects of congruence versus incongruence between PA preference and assignment. The proposed research aims to inform optimal PA use in virtual learning environments. Potential avenues for future research are also discussed.