From Robots to Creatures: The Influence of Pedagogical Agent Design on Student Motivation and Learning in IVR Education

Pedagogical agents (PAs) have been extensively employed in im-mersive virtual reality (IVR) educational settings, yet their specific attributes are not thoroughly investigated. This study explores the impact of PA appearance and knowledge delivery methods on student learning in IVR environments. The findings reveal that the flying robot PA is regarded as the most credible, while cute creature PAs increase motivation but cause some distraction. The integrated text and audio multi-modality approach resulted in the best knowledge retention, though some participants experienced a slower learning pace. These insights are significant for designing and using PAs in IVR educational settings.