If you have ever considered using an Avatar or Virtual Teacher within your e-learning or tuition media consider no longer. Stanford University produced a research paper authored by Byron Reeves that proves the wide benefits and the positive effects of virtual representatives within rich media content. Research outlines all the benefits that virtual character can achieve. e-learning is the perfect environment to take advantage of the finding.
Entitled "The Benefits of Interactive Online Characters" it clearly outlines the advantages, I quote:" Automated characters take advantage of social responses that are natural reactions to interactive media. They can be perceived as realistic and well- liked social partners in conversations that simulate real-world interactions." furthermore, " Characters can increase the trust that users place in online experiences, in part because they make online experiences easier". All educators know that if you make the experience easier, the ability to retain valuable information is enhanced.
Many professional e-learning, tutorial and presentation tools are available today, including, but not limited to: PowerPoint, Camtasia Studio, Articulate, Keynote, Lectora, Adobe Captivate, iSprint Presenter, OpenOffice Impress and Dryfork. When it comes to selecting an Avatar or Virtual Tutor the choice is not so easy.
AlterEgos was specifically designed with e-learning in mind. It has a simple wizard driven solution that automatically lip-syncs with a supplied audio file or through its in-build Text to speech interface. With 53 male and female characters supplied "out of the box" (that automatically animate) and hundreds of backgrounds and clothing items its simplicity itself to create a compelling and endearing composition.
AlterEgos supports industry standard output formats including; AVI, Flash FLV and Flash SWF. This makes it an ideal partner for many e-learning solutions, simply import the AlterEgos media and you are good to go!
There are other Avatar solutions available, but with varying costing models and in many cases the inability to provide a media file, budgeting and work-flow were nearly always compromised. Cost and functional considerations should include; "Do I get my hands on the finished media without additional costs?", "can I import the media without additional runtime fees?", "Can I distribute on local LAN, CD/DVD?".
e-learning is prevalent in many education sectors both commercial and otherwise, effective content delivery in these cases is paramount, together with flexibility, cost and quality. Using the Stanford Universities findings, incorporating an AlterEgos virtual teacher or avatar will offer measurable benefits in the short and long term.
At least now you can be comfortable in knowing that virtual teachers embedded within your e-learning solutions have provable benefits.
You can get a complete copy of the Stanford University research article by Byron Reeves entitled, " The Benefits of Interactive Online Characters", by visiting www.alteregos.com. (look at the bottom of the front page) - 29891
Entitled "The Benefits of Interactive Online Characters" it clearly outlines the advantages, I quote:" Automated characters take advantage of social responses that are natural reactions to interactive media. They can be perceived as realistic and well- liked social partners in conversations that simulate real-world interactions." furthermore, " Characters can increase the trust that users place in online experiences, in part because they make online experiences easier". All educators know that if you make the experience easier, the ability to retain valuable information is enhanced.
Many professional e-learning, tutorial and presentation tools are available today, including, but not limited to: PowerPoint, Camtasia Studio, Articulate, Keynote, Lectora, Adobe Captivate, iSprint Presenter, OpenOffice Impress and Dryfork. When it comes to selecting an Avatar or Virtual Tutor the choice is not so easy.
AlterEgos was specifically designed with e-learning in mind. It has a simple wizard driven solution that automatically lip-syncs with a supplied audio file or through its in-build Text to speech interface. With 53 male and female characters supplied "out of the box" (that automatically animate) and hundreds of backgrounds and clothing items its simplicity itself to create a compelling and endearing composition.
AlterEgos supports industry standard output formats including; AVI, Flash FLV and Flash SWF. This makes it an ideal partner for many e-learning solutions, simply import the AlterEgos media and you are good to go!
There are other Avatar solutions available, but with varying costing models and in many cases the inability to provide a media file, budgeting and work-flow were nearly always compromised. Cost and functional considerations should include; "Do I get my hands on the finished media without additional costs?", "can I import the media without additional runtime fees?", "Can I distribute on local LAN, CD/DVD?".
e-learning is prevalent in many education sectors both commercial and otherwise, effective content delivery in these cases is paramount, together with flexibility, cost and quality. Using the Stanford Universities findings, incorporating an AlterEgos virtual teacher or avatar will offer measurable benefits in the short and long term.
At least now you can be comfortable in knowing that virtual teachers embedded within your e-learning solutions have provable benefits.
You can get a complete copy of the Stanford University research article by Byron Reeves entitled, " The Benefits of Interactive Online Characters", by visiting www.alteregos.com. (look at the bottom of the front page) - 29891
About the Author:
Go to here for AlterEgos and get a free trial to try with your e-learning project.
