Algebra Scaffolding with Pedagogical Agents and Concrete Examples

In this multi-stage research project, we focus on the following research quetions:

1. How might we design an interactive system that reflects both the practical goals from teachers (e.g., using real-world examples, fostering students' strategic flexibility in problem-solving) and scientific goals from researchers (e.g., how would the use of real-world examples and pedagogical agents influence students' conceptual understanding and choice-making behaviors)?

2. How would personalized, motivational pedagogical agents influence students' learning outcomes and choice-making behaviors over time?

3. How would adaptive goal-setting functionalities improve students’ self-regulated learning and motivation in maths tutoring platform such as AlgeSPACE?

Overview

Learning Environment

Equalization Method

Elimination Method

Substitution Method

Flexibility Training

Try AlgeSPACE 1.0

Scientific Outputs

1. Parallel Design Framework

Nagashima, T., Bonaventura, K., & Su, M. (2024, June). Parallel Design: Achieving both Researchers' and Practitioners' Goals in the Design of an Interactive Learning System. In Proceedings of the 2024 Symposium on Learning, Design and Technology at the annual ACM Interaction Design and Children (IDC) Conference (pp. 66-69). [Conference Proceeding]

2. Empirical Findings

Su, M., Dang, B., Nguyen, A. Nagashima, T. Choice-making in an adaptive learning system with motivational pedagogical agents. npj Sci. Learn. 10, 77 (2025). [Journal Article]

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Su, M., Bonaventura, K., Sato, S. & Nagashima, T. (2025, September). Investigating the Effects of Motivational Agents on Student Learning and Choice Making in an Adaptive Learning System. In Proceedings of the 20th European Conference on Technology Enhanced Learning, UK. [Poster Presentation]

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Su, M., Dang, B., Nguyen, A., & Nagashima, T. (2025, August). Motivational agents help novices regulate, but experts keep repeating errors. The 29th European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI), Graz, Austria. [Poster Presentation]

Su, M., Bonaventura, K., & Nagashima, T. (2025, June). Fostering Strategic Choice-Making Through Motivational Pedagogical Agents in an Adaptive Learning System. In Proceedings of the 19th International Conference of the Learning Sciences, Helsinki, Finland. [Hybrid Poster Presentation]

Team

Developers

Katharina Bonaventura, Saarland University (AlgeSPACE 1.0)
Helene Anna Roswitha Nuettgens, Saarland University (AlgeSPACE personalized version)
Samarth Sanjay Joshi, Saarland University (AlgeSPACE goal-setting version)

Researchers

Prof. Tomohiro Nagashima, Saarland University (PI and Project Lead)
Dr. Man Echo Su, previously at Saarland, now at IWM (Postdoc and Project Management)

Prof. Andy Nguyen, Oulu University (Data Advisor for AlgeSPACE 1.0)
Belle Dang, Oulu University (Data Analysis Lead for AlgeSPACE 1.0)

Prof. Maria Theobald, Trier University (Co-PI for AlgeSPACE goal-setting)
Nina Quach, Saarland University (Data and Communication Lead for AlgeSPACE goal-setting)

Katharina Bonaventura (Conduct lab-based classroom study for AlgeSPACE 1.0)
Helene Anna Roswitha Nuettgens (Conduct classroom study for AlgeSPACE personalized version)
Samarth Sanjay Joshi (Conduct classroom study for AlgeSPACE goal-setting version)

Teachers

Mr. Schmidt (pseudonym) from Saarland, Germany (Co-design AlgeSPACE 1.0)
Teachers from Hessen and Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany (Facilitate classroom studies)

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