The Virtual Tutor: Tasks for conversational agents in Online Collaborative Learning Environments

Online collaborative learning environments are becoming increasingly popular in higher education. E-tutors need to supervise, guide students and look out for conflicts within the online environment ensure a successful experience. Web-based platforms allow interactive elements such as conversational agents disencumber e-tutor. Repeatable tasks, which do not require human response, can be automatized by these systems. The aim of this study is identify synthesize tasks an e-tutor has investigate automatisation potential with agents. Using design science research approach literature review conducted, identifying 13 tasks. Subsequently, matrix established, contrasting requirements use Furthermore, virtual tutor framework developed, clarifying agent type selection, technical structure components prototype development environment.