New tools for interactive speech and language training: Using animated conversational agents in the classrooms of profoundly deaf children.

Abstract

This article describes our experiences with an animated conversational agent being used in daily classroom activities with profoundly deaf children at the Tucker Maxon Oral School in Portland Oregon. We first articulate some reasons why animated conversational agents can revolutionize learning and language training by providing a more effective mode of human computer interaction. We then describe the capabilities of our animated agent, Baldi, and the software environment used to design and run interactive media systems. We then describe applications designed by teachers and students that illustrate ways in which students in three different classrooms converse and interact with Baldi. We conclude with a brief look at the next generation of animated conversational agents. 1. INTRODUCTION Advances in interactive language technologies will eventually revolutionize learning and training. Computer-generated animated characters with expert domain knowledge will interact with learners much l...