The Effects of a Pedagogical Agent’s Smiling Expression on the Learner’s Emotions and Motivation in a Virtual Learning Environment

Authors

  • Tze Wei Liew Multimedia University, Malaysia
  • Nor Azan Mat Zin National University of Malaysia
  • Noraidah Sahari National University of Malaysia
  • Su-Mae Tan Multimedia University, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v17i5.2350

Keywords:

Pedagogical agent, smiling expression, emotion contagion, emotion, virtual learning environment, motivation

Abstract

The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that a smiling expression on the face of a talking pedagogical agent could positively affect a learner’s emotions, motivation, and learning outcomes in a virtual learning environment. Contrary to the hypothesis, results from Experiment 1 demonstrated that the pedagogical agent’s smile induced negative emotional and motivational responses in learners. Experiment 2 showed that the social meaning of a pedagogical agent’s smile might be perceived by learners as polite or fake. In addition, qualitative data provided insights into factors that may cause negative perceptions of a pedagogical agent’s smile, which in turn lead to negative affective (emotional and motivational) states in learners. Theoretical and design implications for pedagogical agents in virtual learning environment are discussed in the concluding section of the paper.

Author Biographies

Tze Wei Liew, Multimedia University, Malaysia

Head of Research Unit,

Lecturer, 

Centre for Diploma Programmes,

Multimedia University,

Malaysia

Nor Azan Mat Zin, National University of Malaysia

Associate Professor,

Head of Multimedia Software And Usability Research Group,

Faculty of Information Science & Technology,

National University of Malaysia

Noraidah Sahari, National University of Malaysia

Associate Professor,

Faculty of Information Science & Technology,

National University of Malaysia.

Su-Mae Tan, Multimedia University, Malaysia

Lecturer, 

Centre for Diploma Programmes,

Multimedia University,

Malaysia

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Published

2016-09-26

How to Cite

Liew, T. W., Zin, N. A. M., Sahari, N., & Tan, S.-M. (2016). The Effects of a Pedagogical Agent’s Smiling Expression on the Learner’s Emotions and Motivation in a Virtual Learning Environment. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 17(5). https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v17i5.2350

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 5 (2016)

Section

Research Articles

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