A survey of pedagogical functions of intelligent agents in virtual learning environments

Abstract

This paper provides a literature review and perspectives on employing Intelligent Agents for human learning in virtual learning environments. The paper provides: (1) Research literature that employs AI functions and methods for educational or training purposes by the use of Intelligent Software Agents. (2) Analysis of the pedagogical functions; pedagogical gain of employing pedagogical agents. Selected essential topics to learning with agents are investigated including personalization with intelligent agents, cognitive and meta-cognitive agents for teaching, emotions and affections of embodied pedagogical agents and agents as virtual humans. Applications of using intelligent agents are demonstrated from an educational perspective.