AHCI RESEARCH GROUP
Publications
Papers published in international journals,
proceedings of conferences, workshops and books.
OUR RESEARCH
Scientific Publications
How to
Here you can find the complete list of our publications.
You can use the tag cloud to select only the papers dealing with specific research topics.
You can expand the Abstract, Links and BibTex record for each paper.
You can use the tag cloud to select only the papers dealing with specific research topics.
You can expand the Abstract, Links and BibTex record for each paper.
2025
Zhao, P.; Wei, X.
The Role of 3D Virtual Humans in Communication and Assisting Students' Learning in Transparent Display Environments: Perspectives of Pre-Service Teachers Proceedings Article
In: Chui, K. T.; Jaikaeo, C.; Niramitranon, J.; Kaewmanee, W.; Ng, K. -K.; Ongkunaruk, P. (Ed.): pp. 319–323, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2025, ISBN: 9798331595500 (ISBN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: 3D virtual human, Assistive technology, CDIO teaching model, Collaborative learning, Collaborative practices, Display environments, E-Learning, Educational Technology, Engineering education, feedback, Integration, Knowledge delivery, Knowledge transfer, Learning algorithms, Natural language processing systems, Preservice teachers, Psychology computing, Student learning, Students, Teaching, Teaching model, Transparent display environment, Transparent displays, Virtual Reality
@inproceedings{zhao_role_2025,
title = {The Role of 3D Virtual Humans in Communication and Assisting Students' Learning in Transparent Display Environments: Perspectives of Pre-Service Teachers},
author = {P. Zhao and X. Wei},
editor = {K. T. Chui and C. Jaikaeo and J. Niramitranon and W. Kaewmanee and K. -K. Ng and P. Ongkunaruk},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105015746241&doi=10.1109%2FISET65607.2025.00069&partnerID=40&md5=08c39b84fa6bd6ac13ddbed203d7b1d9},
doi = {10.1109/ISET65607.2025.00069},
isbn = {9798331595500 (ISBN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
pages = {319–323},
publisher = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.},
abstract = {The integration of transparent display and 3D virtual human technologies into education is expanding rapidly; however, their systematic incorporation into the CDIO teaching model remains underexplored, particularly in supporting complex knowledge delivery and collaborative practice. This study developed an intelligent virtual teacher assistance system based on generative AI and conducted a teaching experiment combining transparent display and 3D virtual human technologies. Feedback was collected through focus group interviews with 24 pre-service teachers. Results show that the virtual human, through natural language and multimodal interaction, significantly enhanced classroom engagement and contextual understanding, while its real-time feedback and personalized guidance effectively supported CDIO-based collaborative learning. Nonetheless, challenges remain in contextual adaptability and emotional feedback accuracy. Accordingly, the study proposes a path for technical optimization through the integration of multimodal emotion recognition, adaptive instructional algorithms, and nonintrusive data collection, offering empirical and theoretical insights into educational technology integration within the CDIO framework and future intelligent learning tools. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.},
keywords = {3D virtual human, Assistive technology, CDIO teaching model, Collaborative learning, Collaborative practices, Display environments, E-Learning, Educational Technology, Engineering education, feedback, Integration, Knowledge delivery, Knowledge transfer, Learning algorithms, Natural language processing systems, Preservice teachers, Psychology computing, Student learning, Students, Teaching, Teaching model, Transparent display environment, Transparent displays, Virtual Reality},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The integration of transparent display and 3D virtual human technologies into education is expanding rapidly; however, their systematic incorporation into the CDIO teaching model remains underexplored, particularly in supporting complex knowledge delivery and collaborative practice. This study developed an intelligent virtual teacher assistance system based on generative AI and conducted a teaching experiment combining transparent display and 3D virtual human technologies. Feedback was collected through focus group interviews with 24 pre-service teachers. Results show that the virtual human, through natural language and multimodal interaction, significantly enhanced classroom engagement and contextual understanding, while its real-time feedback and personalized guidance effectively supported CDIO-based collaborative learning. Nonetheless, challenges remain in contextual adaptability and emotional feedback accuracy. Accordingly, the study proposes a path for technical optimization through the integration of multimodal emotion recognition, adaptive instructional algorithms, and nonintrusive data collection, offering empirical and theoretical insights into educational technology integration within the CDIO framework and future intelligent learning tools. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
2024
Sikström, P.; Valentini, C.; Sivunen, A.; Kärkkäinen, T.
Pedagogical agents communicating and scaffolding students' learning: High school teachers' and students' perspectives Journal Article
In: Computers and Education, vol. 222, 2024, ISSN: 03601315 (ISSN), (Publisher: Elsevier Ltd).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Adversarial machine learning, Agents communication, Augmented Reality, Contrastive Learning, Federated learning, Human communications, Human-Machine Communication, Human-to-human communication script, Human–machine communication, Human–machine communication (HMC), pedagogical agent, Pedagogical agents, Scaffolds, Scaffolds (biology), Secondary education, Student learning, Students, Teachers', Teaching, User-centered design, User-centred, Virtual environments
@article{sikstrom_pedagogical_2024,
title = {Pedagogical agents communicating and scaffolding students' learning: High school teachers' and students' perspectives},
author = {P. Sikström and C. Valentini and A. Sivunen and T. Kärkkäinen},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85202198552&doi=10.1016%2Fj.compedu.2024.105140&partnerID=40&md5=a38656368911012d1b66ad221e67e8c8},
doi = {10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105140},
issn = {03601315 (ISSN)},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Computers and Education},
volume = {222},
abstract = {Pedagogical agents (PAs) communicate verbally and non-verbally with students in digital and virtual reality/augmented reality learning environments. PAs have been shown to be beneficial for learning, and generative artificial intelligence, such as large language models, can improve PAs' communication abilities significantly. K-12 education is underrepresented in learning technology research and teachers' and students' insights have not been considered when developing PA communication. The current study addresses this research gap by conducting and analyzing semi-structured, in-depth interviews with eleven high school teachers and sixteen high school students about their expectations for PAs' communication capabilities. The interviewees identified relational and task-related communication capabilities that a PA should perform to communicate effectively with students and scaffold their learning. PA communication that is simultaneously affirmative and relational can induce immediacy, foster the relationship and engagement with a PA, and support students' learning management. Additionally, the teachers and students described the activities and technological aspects that should be considered when designing conversational PAs. The study showed that teachers and students applied human-to-human communication scripts when outlining their desired PA communication characteristics. The study offers novel insights and recommendations to researchers and developers on the communicational, pedagogical, and technological aspects that must be considered when designing communicative PAs that scaffold students’ learning, and discusses the contributions on human–machine communication in education. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.},
note = {Publisher: Elsevier Ltd},
keywords = {Adversarial machine learning, Agents communication, Augmented Reality, Contrastive Learning, Federated learning, Human communications, Human-Machine Communication, Human-to-human communication script, Human–machine communication, Human–machine communication (HMC), pedagogical agent, Pedagogical agents, Scaffolds, Scaffolds (biology), Secondary education, Student learning, Students, Teachers', Teaching, User-centered design, User-centred, Virtual environments},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Pedagogical agents (PAs) communicate verbally and non-verbally with students in digital and virtual reality/augmented reality learning environments. PAs have been shown to be beneficial for learning, and generative artificial intelligence, such as large language models, can improve PAs' communication abilities significantly. K-12 education is underrepresented in learning technology research and teachers' and students' insights have not been considered when developing PA communication. The current study addresses this research gap by conducting and analyzing semi-structured, in-depth interviews with eleven high school teachers and sixteen high school students about their expectations for PAs' communication capabilities. The interviewees identified relational and task-related communication capabilities that a PA should perform to communicate effectively with students and scaffold their learning. PA communication that is simultaneously affirmative and relational can induce immediacy, foster the relationship and engagement with a PA, and support students' learning management. Additionally, the teachers and students described the activities and technological aspects that should be considered when designing conversational PAs. The study showed that teachers and students applied human-to-human communication scripts when outlining their desired PA communication characteristics. The study offers novel insights and recommendations to researchers and developers on the communicational, pedagogical, and technological aspects that must be considered when designing communicative PAs that scaffold students’ learning, and discusses the contributions on human–machine communication in education. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.