Human or Humanoid Animated Pedagogical Avatars in Video Lectures: The Impact of the Knowledge Type on Learning Outcomes


Polat H., Taş N., Kaban A., Kayaduman H., Battal A.

International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, vol.41, no.14, pp.8912-8927, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 41 Issue: 14
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/10447318.2024.2415762
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ABI/INFORM, Applied Science & Technology Source, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, INSPEC, Library and Information Science Abstracts, Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts, Psycinfo
  • Page Numbers: pp.8912-8927
  • Keywords: animated pedagogical agent, educational video, knowledge type, On-screen instructor, visual interest
  • Ataturk University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study examines the impacts of educational videos with human or humanoid animated pedagogical avatars (APAs) on cognitive, affective, and social learning outcomes in declarative and procedural knowledge contexts. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used, considering instructor type (human vs. humanoid APA) and knowledge type (declarative vs. procedural). The study involved 139 university students with no prior knowledge of the video content and was conducted in a human-computer interaction lab using an eye-tracking device. There were no significant differences in learning achievement, perceived lecture engagement, emotion, satisfaction, and social presence between the human and humanoid APA. However, learners showed greater visual interest in the human instructor, which influenced their interest in the learning content. Viewers of declarative knowledge videos showed more visual interest and achieved higher learning scores, while procedural videos increased lecture engagement, emotion, satisfaction, and social presence. The study suggests that humanoid APAs can effectively replace human instructors in educational videos and emphasizes the importance of considering knowledge types in video design to impact learning outcomes.