Design Knowledge for Virtual Learning Companions from a Value-centered Perspective

Communications of the Association for Information Systems, vol. 54, pp. 293–330

Abstract

The increasing popularity of conversational agents such as ChatGPT has sparked interest in their potential use in educational contexts but undermines the role of companionship in learning with these tools. Our study targets the design of virtual learning companions (VLCs), focusing on bonding relationships for collaborative learning while facilitating students’ time management and motivation. We draw upon design science research (DSR) to derive prescriptive design knowledge for VLCs as the core of our contribution. Through three DSR cycles, we conducted interviews with working students and experts, held interdisciplinary workshops with the target group, designed and evaluated two conceptual prototypes, and fully coded a VLC instantiation, which we tested with students in class. Our approach has yielded 9 design principles, 28 meta-requirements, and 33 design features centered around the value-in-interaction. These encompass Human-likeness and Dialogue Management, Proactive and Reactive Behavior, and Relationship Building on the Relationship Layer (DP1,3,4), Adaptation (DP2) on the Matching Layer, as well as Provision of Supportive Content, Fostering Learning Competencies, Motivational Environment, and Ethical Responsibility (DP5-8) on the Service Layer.

Authors 5

1. Ricarda Schlimbach corresponding Aachen

   Heilbronn University · RWTH Aachen University · Technische Universität Braunschweig

   Affiliation as printed

   Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences

   Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences Faculty MV, Schwäbisch Hall, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University Department of Service Management

   TU Braunschweig Chair of Service Information Systems

2. Bijan Khosrawi-Rad Aachen

   Heilbronn University · RWTH Aachen University · Technische Universität Braunschweig

   Affiliation as printed

   TU Braunschweig

   Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences Faculty MV, Schwäbisch Hall, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University Department of Service Management

   TU Braunschweig Chair of Service Information Systems

3. Tim Christopher Lange Aachen FIR e. V.

   Heilbronn University · FIR e. V. an der RWTH Aachen · RWTH Aachen University · Technische Universität Braunschweig

   Affiliation as printed

   FIR e.V. at RWTH Aachen University

   Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences Faculty MV, Schwäbisch Hall, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University Department of Service Management

   TU Braunschweig Chair of Service Information Systems

4. Timo Strohmann Aachen

   Heilbronn University · RWTH Aachen University · Technische Universität Braunschweig

   Affiliation as printed

   TU Braunschweig

   Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences Faculty MV, Schwäbisch Hall, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University Department of Service Management

   TU Braunschweig Chair of Service Information Systems

5. Susanne Robra-Bissantz

   Technische Universität Braunschweig

   Affiliation as printed

   TU Braunschweig