Are two talking heads better than one?: when should use more than one agent in e-learning?

Recent interest in the use of software character agents raises the issue of how many agents should be used in online learning. In this paper we review evidence concerning the relative effectiveness of multi-agent systems and introduce a multiple agent system that we have developed for online instruction. A user test is carried out that compares one and two agent versions of the learning system. The results are interpreted in terms of their implications for selecting when and how more than one agent should be used in online learning. We conclude with some recommendations on when multiple agents may help online learners to interact with the learning environment more easily and efficiently. Categories and Subject Descriptors H.5.2 [Information Interfaces and Presentation]: User Interfaces — Interaction styles, Theory and methods General Terms Design, Experimentation Keywords Character agent, multiple agents, tracing, eye tracking, e-learning, educational interface

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2006
• Where: IUI
• Authors: Hua Wang, Mark H. Chignell, Mitsuru Ishizuka
• Keywords: Character Agent, IUI 2006, Multiple Agents, Online Learning, Software Engineering