with or without agent?

Taking the stand of a student learning the topic on multimedia design, I did find the foreign voice (version 2) slightly annoying and difficult to catch at times. I would end up likely frustrated after trying to understand, and possibly switch off. Yet, the animation of the character could be entertaining at best.

The novelty of the Microsoft Agent did wear off pretty quickly with the monotonous voice, like it was rambling away; possibly pitch and tone of voice could be twigged for some difference between the voice of the two characters, Peedy and Genie to better follow through their conversation.

The Microsoft Agent could possibly be the choice for INTRODUCING a new topic with all its rigorous content. Since it has that intention of introducing, its dialogue should be kept interesting, short and memorable. It is to effect some curiosity or spark some interest in the student's mind. Thereafter, version 1 with its content, could likely be elaborated at a manageable pace by the teacher, which would be a good switch from the animation.

So a combination, version 2 followed by version 1 elaboration would possibly be synergistic in the deliverance of content.

Pedagogical Approaches

For the 8 pedagogical approaches introduced, all of it has the underlying intention to encourage some sort of articulation from the student about his/her thoughts on the matter at hand. This is a refreshing change from the usual lesson where the teacher goes on and on about new content and at best, hoping the student is interested and motivated in learning it.

Self-motivated learning is unlikely the situation for some students at the start of a new topic, and I see that the 8 pedagogical approaches has its rational in creating awareness to the topic through the students finding solutions to the problem (related to lesson content) and also seeing its basis in real life application. The fundamental hope is that these approaches initiates the student to begin thinking on his/her own accord before any is taught on it.

what is engaged teaching/learning?

Learning and teaching is a simultaneous process that is ongoing for both teacher and student, individually or as a class. Engaged learning/teaching would then likely be the spontaneous initiation (of learning/teaching) from both parties, preferably mutual.

Contradictory to the definition of spontaneous, it is realistic to be aware that at times, the initiation is an unwilling effort by either the teacher or the student, likely due to internal or external factors. Laughing is contagious, thus good energy is infectious and with regards to engaged learning/teaching, I would say it's a good workout of both mind and soul for the student and teacher throughout the lesson.