An investigation into the efficacy of avatar-based systems for student advice

E. Currie; P. H. Harvey; P. Daryanani; J. C. Augusto; R. Arif; A. Ali

Research Article

An investigation into the efficacy of avatar-based systems for student advice

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@ARTICLE{10.4108/eai.15-6-2016.151450,
    author={E. Currie and P. H. Harvey and P. Daryanani and J. C. Augusto and R. Arif and A. Ali},
    title={An investigation into the efficacy of avatar-based systems for student advice},
    journal={EAI Endorsed Transactions on e-Learning},
    volume={3},
    number={11},
    publisher={EAI},
    journal_a={EL},
    year={2016},
    month={6},
    keywords={Accessibility and usability of web-based instruction; augmented reality solutions; student engagement; teaching/educational models, frameworks and platforms; virtual learning environments},
    doi={10.4108/eai.15-6-2016.151450}
}

E. Currie
P. H. Harvey
P. Daryanani
J. C. Augusto
R. Arif
A. Ali
Year: 2016
An investigation into the efficacy of avatar-based systems for student advice
EL
EAI
DOI: 10.4108/eai.15-6-2016.151450

E. Currie¹^,*, P. H. Harvey¹, P. Daryanani¹, J. C. Augusto¹, R. Arif¹, A. Ali¹

1: Research Group on Development of Intelligent Environments, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, England

*Contact email: e.currie@mdx.ac.uk

Abstract

Student support is an important function in all universities. Most students expect access to support 24/7, but support staff cannot be available at all times of day. This paper addresses this problem, describing the development of an avatar-based system to guide students through the materials provided by a university student employability service. Firstly, students and staff were surveyed to establish the demand for such a system. The system was then constructed. Finally, the system was evaluated by students and staff, which led to a clearer understanding of the optimal role for avatar-based systems and consequent improvements to the system’s functionality.

Keywords: Accessibility and usability of web-based instruction; augmented reality solutions; student engagement; teaching/educational models, frameworks and platforms; virtual learning environments

Received: 2015-11-30
Accepted: 2016-05-04
Published: 2016-06-15
Publisher: EAI

: http://dx.doi.org/10.4108/eai.15-6-2016.151450

Copyright © 2016 E. Currie et al., licensed to EAI. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), which permits unlimited use, distribution and reproduction in any medium so long as the original work is properly cited.