Using scaffolding to formalize digital coach support for low-literate learners

Schouten, D.G.M.; Massink, Pim; Donker, Stella F.; Neerincx, M.A.

doi:10.1007/s11257-020-09278-0

Using scaffolding to formalize digital coach support for low-literate learners

Title

Using scaffolding to formalize digital coach support for low-literate learners

Author

Schouten, D.G.M. (TU Delft Interactive Intelligence)
Massink, Pim (Universiteit Utrecht)
Donker, Stella F. (Universiteit Utrecht)
Neerincx, M.A. (TU Delft Interactive Intelligence)

Date

2020

Abstract

In this study, we attempt to specify the cognitive support behavior of a previously designed embodied conversational agent coach that provides learning support to low-literates. Three knowledge gaps are identified in the existing work: an incomplete specification of the behaviors that make up ‘support,’ an incomplete specification of how this support can be personalized, and unclear speech recognition rules. We use the socio-cognitive engineering method to update our foundation of knowledge with new online banking exercises, low-level scaffolding and user modeling theory, and speech recognition. We then refine the design of our coach agent by creating comprehensive cognitive support rules that adapt support based on learner needs (the ‘Generalized’ approach) and attune the coach’s support delay to user performance in previous exercises (the ‘Individualized’ approach). A prototype is evaluated in a 3-week within- and between-subjects experiment. Results show that the specified cognitive support is effective: Learners complete all exercises, interact meaningfully with the coach, and improve their online banking self-efficacy. Counter to hypotheses, the Individualized approach does not improve on the Generalized approach. Whether this indicates suboptimal operationalization or a deeper problem with the Individualized approach remains as future work.

Subject

Design research
Embodied conversational agent
Requirements engineering
Scaffolding
User modeling
Virtual learning environment

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:41ab79c7-ead4-416a-8931-3f86bf638a00

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11257-020-09278-0

ISSN

0924-1868

Source

User Modeling and User-Adapted Interaction: the journal of personalization research, 31 (2021) (2), 183-223

Part of collection

Institutional Repository