Article

Scaffolding learner motivation through a virtual peer

Authors:

Eric R. Hamilton,

Amy L. BaylorAuthors Info & Claims

ICLS '06: Proceedings of the 7th international conference on Learning sciences

Pages 335 - 341

Published: 27 June 2006 Publication History

Abstract

It is well-documented that advanced technology can scaffold learning and cognitive development and also that human-peer models in classrooms positively influence learner motivation, in particular, self-efficacy in specific tasks. This paper describes three exploratory studies that investigated the potential of virtual peers (VP, animated digital characters designed as peer-like) to scaffold college students' motivation towards lesson-planning tasks. The studies examined how differing characteristics of the VPs motivated learners, as measured by learners' task-related self-efficacy beliefs and learner interest in the task and in working with the VPs. Study 1 examined the competency and interaction type of a VP; Study 2 examined the gender and emotional expression of VPs; and Study 3 examined the gender and emotional response of VPs. Results indicated the close relationships between learner motivation and VP characteristics. These findings support for the instructional utility of the virtual peers as motivational scaffolds.

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Cited By

Balaam MRennick Egglestone SFitzpatrick GRodden THughes AWilkinson ANind TAxelrod LHarris ERicketts IMawson SBurridge JTan DFitzpatrick GGutwin CBegole BKellogg W(2011)Motivating mobilityProceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/1978942.1979397(3073-3082)Online publication date: 7-May-2011
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1978942.1979397
Tartaro ACassell J(2008)Playing with virtual peersProceedings of the 8th international conference on International conference for the learning sciences - Volume 210.5555/1599871.1599919(382-389)Online publication date: 24-Jun-2008
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/1599871.1599919

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Information & Contributors

Information

Published In

cover image DL Hosted proceedings

ICLS '06: Proceedings of the 7th international conference on Learning sciences

June 2006

1127 pages

ISBN:0805861742

Conference Chairs:
Sasha Barab
Indiana University, Bloomington
,
Kenneth Hay
Indiana University, Bloomington
,
Daniel Hickey
Indiana University, Bloomington

Publisher

International Society of the Learning Sciences

Publication History

Published: 27 June 2006

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ICLS '06 Paper Acceptance Rate 142 of 142 submissions, 100%;

Overall Acceptance Rate 307 of 307 submissions, 100%

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Balaam MRennick Egglestone SFitzpatrick GRodden THughes AWilkinson ANind TAxelrod LHarris ERicketts IMawson SBurridge JTan DFitzpatrick GGutwin CBegole BKellogg W(2011)Motivating mobilityProceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/1978942.1979397(3073-3082)Online publication date: 7-May-2011
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1978942.1979397
Tartaro ACassell J(2008)Playing with virtual peersProceedings of the 8th international conference on International conference for the learning sciences - Volume 210.5555/1599871.1599919(382-389)Online publication date: 24-Jun-2008
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/1599871.1599919

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