W. Lewis Johnson
Co-Founder & Chief Scientist
Alelo, Inc.
Abstract
Communication skills are critical for the 21st Century workforce, and an essential foundation for global competence. Virtual Role-Play has proven to be very effective at promoting the development of effective communication skills. In Virtual Role-Play learners can practice in simulated encounters with artificially intelligent virtual role-players that behave and respond to the learners in a situationally appropriate manner. Learners develop and practice their skills in a safe environment, without fear of embarrassment. When learners then engage in a real-life encounter it feels familiar to them, which instils confidence.
Pedagogical agent technologies are key to successful Virtual Role-Play. Agents serve as the virtual role-players and can also act as virtual coaches, observing learner performance and providing feedback. Alelo employs both kinds of agents in its learning environments, and has developed agents into a practical learning technology. We have employed them extensively in virtual environments, and are experimenting with their use in mixed-reality environments, in the form of robotic agents. They can be powerful learning tools if used appropriately.
Bio
Dr. W. Lewis Johnson co-founded Alelo in 2005 as a spinout of the University of Southern California, where he previously was Research Professor. Under his leadership Alelo has developed into a major producer of innovative learning products focusing on communication skills. Alelo has developed courses for use in a number of countries around the world, all using the Virtual Role-Play method.
In 2014 Dr. Johnson was keynote speaker at the International Conference on Intelligent Tutoring Systems. In 2013 he was keynote speaker at the IASTED Technology Enhanced Learning Conference and the SimTecT conference, and was co-chair of the Industry and Innovation Track of the AIED 2013 conference. He is associate editor of the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education and co-editor of the Special Issue on Culturally Aware Educational Technologies. When not engaged in developing disruptive learning products Lewis and his wife Kim produce Kona coffee in Hawaii; he also distils single-malt whiskey in Tasmania.