Researchers at NC State University are betting you have, so they conducted some research to find out what type of online 'helper' is best. It turns out that participants are happier and perform better when the Avatar/helper more resembles themselves. Dr. Lori Foster Thompson, co-author of the study, found that participants were more engaged and focused on their training when the helper's image matched their race and gender.
With so many training, seminars, classes and students spending more time learning online, this research comes at a great time. This could particularly help younger students in the homeschool/virtual school environment where they depend on the Avatar/helper for much of their learning.
