Pedagogical Agents in Virtual Learning Environments

Advances in visualization and networking technologies make it possible to construct virtual learning environments, i.e., virtual worlds in which learners can immerse themselves. This paper examines issues involved in the design of computer-generated virtual agents with which learners may interact in such environments. Functions common to intelligent tutoring systems, such as student modeling and coaching, are assigned to individual agents, rather than being disembodied functions of the tutoring system as a whole. This stance ooers new perspectives on long-standing problems in intelligent tutoring system design, such as how to structure tutorial interactions. It also reveals issues that tend to be ignored in conventional systems, such as interpersonal relations between learners and tutoring systems. The paper describes progress achieved to date in creating pedagogical agents for virtual learning environments, and discusses planned future work in this area.