Chapter 10 - Virtual Avatar as an Emotional Scaffolding Strategy to Promote Interest in Online Learning Environment

Abstract

Online learning allows students to have greater control over their learning process in terms of time and place. However, students often experience unwanted negative emotions due to the lack of emotional support while interacting with online learning content. This chapter suggests virtual avatars (VAs; also known as pedagogical agents) as a vehicle to provide just-in-time emotional scaffolding in online learning. First, this chapter introduces the concept of VAs and emotional scaffolding. Then, based on a literature review on interest development, two design considerations for emotional scaffolding with VAs are discussed: visual persona and verbal messages. Finally, the findings of a case study involving VAs are shared to demonstrate how VAs can be designed and utilized to scaffold learners’ situational interest in an online learning environment.