Erin Shaw, presenter Research Scientist, CARTE, USC Information Sciences Institute

1. Distance Learning and EducationCenter for Advanced Research in Technology for EducationLewis Johnson, Ph.D., Director Erin Shaw, presenter Research Scientist,CARTE, USC Information Sciences Institute Adjunct Lecturer, Distance Education Network

2. Research @ USC ISI Information Sciences Institute • USC Viterbi School of Engineering (>300 researchers, students, staff) • R&D advanced computer and communication technologies Intelligent Systems Division (Artificial Intelligence) • Robotics • Knowledge systems • Natural language understanding • Machine translation • Virtual humans • Intelligent agents @ Center for Advanced Research in Technology for Education (CARTE)

3. CARTE Erin Shaw, Research Computer Scientist Joined 1995 • Participated in development of first Distance Education course at USC, Introduction to Cinema Prior to joining ISI • Digital library researcher • Cornell University, New York • Computer graphics engineer • MIT startup company, Boston • Math and science teacher • US Peace Corps, Nepal W. Lewis Johnson, Director

4. Pedagogical agents Interact with students in learning environments • Engage in instructional dialogue • Assess learner knowledge • Model skills being taught Address • Motivational factors Control, curiosity, challenge, confidence • Cognitive factors Goals, inquiry & explanation, interactive problem solving Enhance motivation and interest

5. Research items Typical system • Agent (reasoning engine) • Agent Persona • Simulation • Interactive exercise (e.g. Flash animation, Java Applets)

6. VFTS (Virtual Factory Teaching System) • Course • Operations Scheduling in Manufacturing, Production and Inventory Management • Gives hands-on experience running a virtual factory • Deliver over the Internet • Provide on-line monitoring and assistance • Intelligent agents monitor student progress and provide immediate feedback

7. VFTS simulation (scheduling work)

8. Digital Puppets (Elementary grades)

9. Clinical Practice Agent embedded in interactive 2D ‘game’ Supports medical and dentistry cases • Users typically first year graduate students Assists students in learning best practices • Features virtual patient • Ask questions based on history • Order labs and x-rays • Score based on type and order of procedures performed (Demo Adele, Agent for Distance Learning Envs., Dentistry, 1.5m)

10. Trauma care

11. Introduction to clinical medicine

12. Geriatric dentistry

14. Pedagogical Drama Agent integrated into 2D animated ‘story’ Part of BRIGHT IDEAS social work program • Users typically mothers of children with cancer Assists students in learning coping skills • Identify with a character • Choose character’s thoughts and decisions • Experiment with different paths (branching) (Demo Carmen’s Bright Ideas 1.5/3m)

15. Carmen’s Bright Ideas

16. Carmen’s Bright Ideas

17. Language Training Agents embedded in 3D virtual game Focus on language and communication skills training • Users typically military personnel • Practice language and gestural skills • Contextual problem-solving in mission-based scenario • Game score based on performance (Demo Tactical Language 3m)

18. Tactical Language

19. Leadership Training Agents embedded in interactive 3D environment Focus on leadership training • Users typically military personnel • Practice decision-making in context • Ethical conflicts in mission-based scenario • Scored by human observer (Demo Mission Rehearsal 1.5m)

20. Mission Rehearsal Exercise

21. Behind the scenes • 2D simulations were produced with modest NSF- and NIH grants (< ½ $million a year) • 3D simulations were produced with large DARPA and ONR grants • (> 1 $million a year)