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ERIC Number: EJ1478211
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Sep
Pages: 37
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1040-726X
EISSN: EISSN-1573-336X
Available Date: 2025-07-23
Do Pedagogical Agents Enhance Student Motivation? Unraveling the Evidence through Meta-Analysis
Jessica R. Gladstone1; Noah L. Schroeder2; Steffi Heidig3; Shan Zhang2; Chris Palaguachi1; Marcin Pitera1
Educational Psychology Review, v37 n3 Article 72 2025
The use of pedagogical agents (PAs) as learning tools within digital learning environments is rising. Previous research shows that PAs can aid learning across various domains and age groups, but their impact on learner motivation is unclear. As PAs become more integrated into learning systems, building an in-depth and theory-driven understanding of how PAs may influence learners' motivation is necessary. We used four prominent motivation theories to guide our examination of the impact of PAs on learner motivation: social cognitive theory, situated expectancy-value theory, interest theory, and self-determination theory. A total of 58 articles met our inclusion criteria. We conducted seven, three-level meta-analyses that included 28 potentially moderating variables and used correlational and hierarchical effects and robust variance estimation. Our results revealed that PAs significantly influenced self-efficacy expectations and interest but did not significantly influence other theory-driven motivational beliefs. We discussed these findings from different theoretical perspectives and provided implications for practice.
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Education, Champaign, USA; 2University of Florida, Gainesville, USA; 3University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Goerlitz, Zittau, Germany