Learning by computer based teaching - A case study with the teachable agent Betty

Abstract: The purpose with this case study was to see if the teaching element in the teachable agent Betty increases the understanding for the students. To do this I let one group of students learn by creating a dynamic model of the content and one group learn by teaching the computer agent Betty. To measure the knowledge of the students I had a pre- and posttest. The results from the tests showed that both the learning methods were excellent. Almost all of the students scored max points. Unfortunately I cannot show if the teaching element increases the understanding for the students who taught Betty. However the students teaching Betty did only learn what they were teaching Betty. Compared to just reading the information modeling and teaching increased the students? understanding. Another interesting point was that some students managed to create a perfect model or concept map by teaching Betty with a trial and error method. This resulted in that they got a perfect teaching result without really learning the content. The problem was that these students didn?t fully understand the meaning of the concepts and the relationships in their model.