COACH BOT: Modular e-course with virtual coach tool support

Abstract

The COACH BOT project aims at designing and testing an innovative e-learning methodology for adult education that combines Conversational Agent Technology (chatbot) with an ad hoc designed modular learning path. The pilot e-course addresses a target group of home health care professionals (e.g. home caretakers, nurses, etc). The project's innovation consists of the development of a collaborative e-learning environment featuring a "chatbot" or "Virtual Coach" who interacts with users through a human-like interface. The "Virtual Coach" acts as a teacher, coach and tutor, who supports learners "individually" during the modular e-course by providing in-depth information, assessment, case studies, technical and methodological support. The e-course curriculum is based on a personalised approach allowing learners, with help from the COACH BOT, to customize their own training path and benefit from a suitable training path that is relevant to their profession and based on their own specific needs, knowledge and skill requirements.