Design Principles for Pedagogical Agents in a Virtual Reality Learning Environment: Providing Explanations in Real-Time Using Natural Language Processing

Virtual reality learning environments are platforms where adaptive, personalized learning can occur in an authentic environment. Pedagogical agents in the virtual reality learning environment can augment adaptive learning scenarios based on natural language conversations with the learner. However, the development of an effective and efficient pedagogical agent that can converse with the learner in a natural way through natural speech in virtual reality learning environments persists as a significant challenge. Consideration of extant theory reveals a lack of evidence-based guidance on the design principles for pedagogical agents in a virtual reality learning environment which constitutes the rationale for this study. This study applies the design science research methodology to guide the design, development, and evaluation of a theory-based artefact. The paper will report on the first phase which presents the literature-based design aspects of a pedagogical agent in a virtual reality learning environment. The contribution of the paper is a list of literature-based guidelines on designing pedagogical agents for virtual reality learning environment. This is proposed as a theoretically based point of departure in developing pedagogical agents that can converse efficiently and effectively in natural language.