Using conversational agents to foster young children's science learning from screen media

Abstract

My dissertation project leverages an intelligent conversational agent embodied in an on-screen character to add social contingency into children's science video watching experiences. This conversational agent has been developed in an iterative process and embedded in a new PBS KIDS science show, "Elinor Wonders Why." My research aims to understand the design, feasibility, and promise of virtual conversation with media characters in young children's informal science learning through video watching.