The application of affective computing technology to e-learning

© 2014, IGI Global. All right reserved. This chapter discusses the domain of affective computing and reviews the area of affective tutoring systems: e-learning applications that possess the ability to detect and appropriately respond to the affective state of the learner. A significant proportion of...

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Main Authors: Thompson, Nik, McGill, T.
Format: Book Chapter
Published: 2013
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/39134
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author Thompson, Nik
McGill, T.
author_facet Thompson, Nik
McGill, T.
author_sort Thompson, Nik
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description © 2014, IGI Global. All right reserved. This chapter discusses the domain of affective computing and reviews the area of affective tutoring systems: e-learning applications that possess the ability to detect and appropriately respond to the affective state of the learner. A significant proportion of human communication is non-verbal or implicit, and the communication of affective state provides valuable context and insights. Computers are for all intents and purposes blind to this form of communication, creating what has been described as an "affective gap." Affective computing aims to eliminate this gap and to foster the development of a new generation of computer interfaces that emulate a more natural human-human interaction paradigm. The domain of learning is considered to be of particular note due to the complex interplay between emotions and learning. This is discussed in this chapter along with the need for new theories of learning that incorporate affect. Next, the more commonly applicable means for inferring affective state are identified and discussed. These can be broadly categorized into methods that involve the user's input and methods that acquire the information independent of any user input. This latter category is of interest as these approaches have the potential for more natural and unobtrusive implementation, and it includes techniques such as analysis of vocal patterns, facial expressions, and physiological state. The chapter concludes with a review of prominent affective tutoring systems in current research and promotes future directions for e-learning that capitalize on the strengths of affective computing.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-391342018-03-29T09:07:34Z The application of affective computing technology to e-learning Thompson, Nik McGill, T. © 2014, IGI Global. All right reserved. This chapter discusses the domain of affective computing and reviews the area of affective tutoring systems: e-learning applications that possess the ability to detect and appropriately respond to the affective state of the learner. A significant proportion of human communication is non-verbal or implicit, and the communication of affective state provides valuable context and insights. Computers are for all intents and purposes blind to this form of communication, creating what has been described as an "affective gap." Affective computing aims to eliminate this gap and to foster the development of a new generation of computer interfaces that emulate a more natural human-human interaction paradigm. The domain of learning is considered to be of particular note due to the complex interplay between emotions and learning. This is discussed in this chapter along with the need for new theories of learning that incorporate affect. Next, the more commonly applicable means for inferring affective state are identified and discussed. These can be broadly categorized into methods that involve the user's input and methods that acquire the information independent of any user input. This latter category is of interest as these approaches have the potential for more natural and unobtrusive implementation, and it includes techniques such as analysis of vocal patterns, facial expressions, and physiological state. The chapter concludes with a review of prominent affective tutoring systems in current research and promotes future directions for e-learning that capitalize on the strengths of affective computing. 2013 Book Chapter http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/39134 10.4018/978-1-4666-4611-7.ch007 restricted
spellingShingle Thompson, Nik
McGill, T.
The application of affective computing technology to e-learning
title The application of affective computing technology to e-learning
title_full The application of affective computing technology to e-learning
title_fullStr The application of affective computing technology to e-learning
title_full_unstemmed The application of affective computing technology to e-learning
title_short The application of affective computing technology to e-learning
title_sort application of affective computing technology to e-learning
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/39134