Describes the benefits of using Virtual Characters in Corporate training programs both from a presentation and learner retention perspective.

1. Systematic Design of Virtual Character-based Simulations Two Case Studies from the Pharmaceutical Industry

3. Today, we can use virtual characters almost anywhere.

4. How do we get the most value from these virtual characters—or VCs?

7. First, let’s make VCs better both as graphics and as people.

8. Virtual Characters are effective and economical when well designed….

9. We’re encountering many types of VCs in a range of situations…

10. … Each at Differing Levels of Sophistication Visual Representation Behavior Static (simple) Dynamic ( complex) Biological Realism (complex) Graphical Abstraction (simple)    

12. VCs work in part by conveying powerful non-linguistic messages. Human Communication non-linguistic communication

13. VCs reach the affective domain, and they have practical advantages. Proximity & Gaze Expression & Gesture Orientation & Posture

14. Think more of multi-use “puppets” than expensive custom animations.

18. When should I use a VC?

19. What type of VC should I use?

20. Virtual Characters are Graphics… …and the rules for using graphics for learning must be followed

21. Like other graphics, VCs can have specific communicative functions. Decorative Organizational Interpretive Representational Mnemonic Relational Transformational Clark/Lyons

22. VCs can also support psychological processes of learning. Build mental models Support attention Support motivation Support transfer Minimize cognitive load Activate prior knowledge

24. But…how do we motivate without falling into “edutainment”?

25. Virtual Characters are Regarded as Human… …and the rules for interacting with humans must be followed

26. In the Reeves-Nass model VCs are engaging human beings. People respond socially and naturally to media even though they believe it is not reasonable to do so, and even though they don’t think that these responses characterize themselves….

27. We value VCs as specialists and we transfer stereotypes, i.e. gender

28. Polite dialogue has: - quality - quantity - relevance - clarity We attribute personality to virtual characters and expect politeness.

29. We all like to be flattered. How am I doing? How is he doing?

30. Virtual Characters work well for modeling behavior and decision making….

31. The situation: Donovan reviews policies and demonstrates procedures to comply with regulatory requirements. As he learns along the process, he discusses his actions with his management and with regulatory compliance personnel. Case Study 1: Donovan models behavior in Samples Management Process

32. Case Study 1: Donovan models behavior in Samples Management Process Storing Samples

33. Case Study 1: Donovan models behavior in Samples Management Process Expiring Product

34. Which psychological functions were at play during the previous scenes? Build mental models Support attention Support motivation Support transfer Minimize cognitive load Activate prior knowledge

36. Case Study 2: Use of a Virtual Character as a decision-maker.

37. How would you handle the instructional challenge? The challenge: By using a case study scenario, we need to model an invisible decision-making process; in this example, the diagnosis and treatment of a complex mental disorder. Using your VC Matrix tool, identify the instructional behaviors demonstrated by the characters in the following examples. What roles are played by Dr. Jennings and Dr. Andrews?

38. Here’s what we did….

39. What conclusions can we draw today about using Virtual Characters?

40. First, let’s make VCs better both as graphics and as people.