Investigating the Effects of Changing the Appearance of Screen-Based Avatars on Audience Memory

Abstract

The methods of displaying virtual agents and avatars as lecturers have been studied in remote lectures and asynchronous education. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that presenting information using multiple virtual avatars facilitates users’ memory performance. In a memory task involving remembering 100 words, we compared a condition where the same avatar narrated all the words to a condition where different avatars each presented 25 words. The results of the online experiment showed no significant differences in the number of words recalled between both conditions. However, we found that switching between avatars significantly aided in recalling the source of information, namely, discerning which avatars read specific words. Furthermore, through an exploratory analysis, we found that using a human avatar resulted in better memory retention than using other avatars (red panda, extraterrestrial being, robot). The participants’ feedback also indicated that the red panda avatar may be perceived favorably and that the quality of lip-syncing was associated with discomfort. These findings are expected to enrich future research on agents and avatars in educational settings.