Virtual agent

Vicneas Muniady

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Type :	article
Subject :	L Education
Main Author :	Vicneas Muniady
Additional Authors :	Ahmad Zamzuri Mohamad Ali
Title :	Virtual agent

Place of Production :	Tanjong Malim
Publisher :	Fakulti Seni, Komputeran dan Industri Kreatif
Year of Publication :	2019
Corporate Name :	Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
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Abstract : Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

Virtual agents are animated, life-like characters used in virtual learning environment to facilitate learning tasks. Since social relationship between the virtual agent and learner is important, the design of virtual agent appearance should be emphasised. The realism level of virtual agent may cause distress to the users, especially when the character mimics human; which is based on the uncanny valley phenomenon highlighted by Mori in 1970. Therefore, the virtual agent effectiveness in terms of promoting positive emotion is influenced by the character’s realism. Moreover, learners’ acceptance of the virtual agent depends on their emotion towards it, which is recognised through their stimulus. Hence, emotional valence and arousal is expected to affect students’ emotion in learning. Therefore, this paper proposes a conceptual framework to be the guidelines in the development of animated virtual agents to maximise students’ positive emotions in learning. The Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning, Mori’s Uncanny Valley phenomenon and Russell’s Circumplex Model of Affect are the basis in constructing the conceptual framework in this study.

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