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Using Interactive Storytelling Agents to Broaden Participation in Computing
PROCEEDINGS

, Morehouse College, United States ; , , Clemson University, United States ; , , , Morehouse College, United States ; , Clemson University, United States

E-Learn: World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, in Las Vegas, NV, USA ISBN 978-1-939797-05-6 Publisher: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), San Diego, CA

Abstract

It has been extensively documented the need for increased participation from under-represented minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. This research aims to address this problem by using interactive storytellers. Interactive Storytelling (IS) is a form of digital entertainment in which users create or influence a dramatic storyline through actions, either by issuing commands to the story's primary character, or acting as a general director of events in the narrative. Interactive storytelling is a medium where the story can be influenced in real-time by the user of the system. An interactive storyteller was created to teach users strategies when pursuing a doctoral degree in computing. A pilot study was conducted with five undergraduate computer science majors to collect initial feedback about the tool and their experience. Overall, students enjoyed working with the agent and were more motivated to attend graduate school.

Citation

Gosha, K., Ordu, C., Horace, J., Turner, M., Cherry, D., Johnson, J. & Brickler, D. (2013). Using Interactive Storytelling Agents to Broaden Participation in Computing. In T. Bastiaens & G. Marks (Eds.), Proceedings of E-Learn 2013--World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education (pp. 729-731). Las Vegas, NV, USA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved March 19, 2024 from .