Emmanuel AYEDOUN

■ Research outlines

My current work focuses on the development and evaluation of animated conversational agents dedicated to enhancing learners’ Willingness to communicate (WTC) in a second language (L2). WTC is believed to have a direct and sustained influence on learners’ actual usage frequency of the targeted language. To help overcome the lack of suitable environments to increase L2 learners’ WTC, my approach is to build conversational agents that not only provide L2 learners with realistic daily conversations opportunities but also help them overcome their apprehension towards communication in the target language. My research interests broadly include Affective Computing, Human-Computer Interaction as well as Computer-Assisted Language Acquisition.

■ Academic affiliations

■ About me

I’m an open person and a passionate dreamer who is always seeking new challenges…

■ My hobbies

When I’m not studying, I love taking care of my cute tropical fishes. My other hobby is watching soccer (I’m a big fan of Real Madrid cf), camping or just hanging out with friends.

■ Working experience

• From April 1st, 2018: Research fellow (DC1) of the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

■ Papers

2019

• Emmanuel Ayedoun, Yuki Hayashi, and Kazuhisa Seta: L2 Learners’ Preferences of Dialogue Agents: A Key to Achieve Adaptive Motivational Support? Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED 2019), Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS), Vol. 11626, Part II, pp. 19–23 (2019)

2018

• Emmanuel Ayedoun, Yuki Hayashi, and Kazuhisa Seta: Learners’ Preferences of Conversational Strategies and L2 WTC Outcomes in Using a Dialogue Agent, The 84th SIG on Advanced Learning Science and Technology of the Japanese Society of Artificial Intelligence, SIG-ALST-B802-01, pp.01-08 (2018)【Young researcher Incitement Award】
• Emmanuel Ayedoun, Yuki Hayashi, and Kazuhisa Seta: Adding Communicative and Affective Strategies to an Embodied Conversational Agent to Enhance Second Language Learners’ Willingness to Communicate, Int. J. of Artificial Intelligence in Education,Vol.29, No.1, pp. 29-57, Springer (2019)

2017

• Emmanuel Ayedoun, Yuki Hayashi, and Kazuhisa Seta: Can Conversational Agents Foster Learner’s Willingness To Communicate in a Second Language? : Effects of Communication Strategies and Affective Backchannels, Proc. of 25th International Conference on Computers in Education (ICCE), pp. 835-844, (2017)【Nomination for Best Student Paper Award】
• Emmanuel Ayedoun, Yuki Hayashi, and Kazuhisa Seta: Communication Strategies and Affective Backchannels for Conversational Agents to Enhance Learners’ Willingness to Communicate in a Second Language, Proc. of 18th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED2017), Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS), Vol.10331, pp.459-462 (2017) 【Poster Award】
• Emmanuel Ayedoun, Yuki Hayashi, and Kazuhisa Seta: Motivational Strategies Enhanced Conversational Agent to Increase L2 Learners’ WTC,  The 80th SIG on Advanced Learning Science and Technology of the Japanese Society of Artificial Intelligence, SIG-ALST-B507-03, pp.13-20 (2017)【Young researcher Incitement Award】
• Emmanuel Ayedoun, Yuki Hayashi, and Kazuhisa Seta: Embodied Conversational Agent to Motivate Learners towards Communication in English, The 31st Annual Conference of  the Japanese Society of Artificial Intelligence, 1B3-3 (2017)
• Emmanuel Ayedoun, Yuki Hayashi, and Kazuhisa Seta: Towards Language-barrier free Knowledge Co-creation: Enhancing Learners’ Willingness To Communicate in English with an Embodied Conversational Agent, The 7th Knowledge Co-creation Forum, V 14-1 (2017)

2016

• Emmanuel Ayedoun, Yuki Hayashi, and Kazuhisa Seta: Web-services Based Conversational Agent to Encourage Willingness to Communicate in EFL Context, The Journal of Information and Systems in Education, Vol. 14, No.1, pp.15-27 (2016)

2015

• Emmanuel Ayedoun, Yuki Hayashi and Kazuhisa Seta: HCI Approach to Enhancing Willingness to Communicate in EFL Context, Proc. of 11th International Conference on Knowledge Management, pp. 449-451 (2015)【Best Poster Presentation Award】
• Emmanuel Ayedoun, Yuki Hayashi, and Kazuhisa Seta: A conversational agent to encourage willingness to communicate in the context of english as a foreign language, Procedia Computer Science (Proc. of 19th International Conference on Knowledge Based and Intelligent Information and Engineering Systems), Vol.60,  pp. 1433 – 1442 (2015)

■ Awards

• SIG on Advanced Learning Science and Technology of the Japanese Society of Artificial Intelligence (SIG-ALST) 2018: Young researcher Incitement Award
• Learning Innovation Grand Prix 2018: Learning Innovation Excellence Award
• SIG on Advanced Learning Science and Technology of the Japanese Society of Artificial Intelligence (SIG-ALST) 2017: Young researcher Incitement Award
• 18th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED 2017):  Poster Award
• Learning Innovation Grand Prix 2016: Audience Award and Learning Technology Incitement Award
• 11th International Conference on Knowledge Management (ICKM 2015): Best Poster Presentation Award
• The 26th Young Researchers Forum on Educational and Learning Support Systems (2015): Best Presentation Award
• Students Presentation Contest of the Japanese Society for Information and  Systems in Education  (2014): Best Presentation Award
• Osaka Prefecture University President Awards（2016, 2017, 2018）