Conversational agents for fostering curiosity-driven learning in children. Issue 167 (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abdelghani, Rania; Oudeyer, Pierre-Yves; Law, Edith; de Vulpillières, Catherine; Sauzéon, Hélène
• Is Part Of: International journal of human-computer studies. Issue 167(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Human–computer interface -- Cooperative/collaborative learning -- Teaching/learning strategies -- Improving classroom teaching; Human-machine systems -- Periodicals; Systems engineering -- Periodicals; Human engineering -- Periodicals; Human engineering; Human-machine systems; Systems engineering; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2022.102887
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1071-5819

Abstract

Abstract: Curiosity is an important factor that enables independent learning in children. Research suggests that it is also a competence that can be fostered by training specific metacognitive skills and information-searching behaviors. In this light, we develop a conversational agent that helps children generate curiosity-driven questions, and encourages their use to lead autonomous explorations and gain new knowledge. The study was conducted with 51 primary school students aged between 9 and 10 years old who interacted with either a neutral agent or an "incentive" agent that helped curiosity-driven questioning by offering specific semantic cues. Results showed a significant increase in the number and the quality of the questions generated with the "incentive" agent. This interaction also resulted in longer explorations and stronger learning progress. Together, our results suggest that the more our agent is able to train children's curiosity-related metacognitive skills, the better they can maintain their information-searching behaviors and the more new knowledge they are likely to acquire. Highlights: Learning technologies can be used to train children's curiosity-driven behaviors. Children's curious behaviors are positive predictors for their learning progress. Children's curious behaviors can be fostered by training their metacognitive skills.