Interest-Based Learning through a Contextualizing Chatbot for Video-Based Online Learning Platforms

Much of formal and informal learning has moved online in the past decade. However, online learning has a host of problems with lack of motivation in students leading the way. Interest-based learning (IBL) is a paradigm of instruction where students’ interests are used as the basis of learning content. While IBL has been researched and used in physical educational settings, it is challenging to implement in an online setting since it typically requires intense instructor involvement with individual students. This paper investigates an approach to implementing IBL for video-based online learning (VBOL) through a chatbot A preliminary interview study along with a main within-subjects study was conducted. Results showed that participants had greater interest, found more enjoyment, value, and usefulness, and were generally more motivated to learn with the IBL chatbot than through traditional VBOL. We discuss the implications of these results and their broader impacts on online learning.