Please note: This PhD seminar will be given online.
Jessy
Ceha, PhD
candidate
David
R.
Cheriton
School
of
Computer
Science
Supervisor: Professor Edith Law
Previous studies have highlighted the benefits of pedagogical conversational agents using socially-oriented conversation with students. In this work, we examine the effects of a conversational agent’s use of affiliative and self-defeating humour — considered conducive to social well-being and enhancing interpersonal relationships — on learners’ perception of the agent and attitudes towards the task. Using a between-subjects protocol, 58 participants taught a conversational agent about rock classification using a learning-by-teaching platform, the Curiosity Notebook. While all agents were curious and enthusiastic, the style of humour was manipulated such that the agent either expressed an affiliative style, a self-defeating style, or no humour. Results demonstrate that affiliative humour can significantly increase motivation and effort, while self-defeating humour, although enhancing effort, negatively impacts enjoyment. Findings further highlight the importance of understanding learner characteristics when using humour.
To join this PhD seminar on Zoom, please go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89214291549?pwd=SHAzbkdtOXNrZXRIWjBoL05ranlmQT09.