Implementazione e valutazione di una Faccia Parlante Espressiva in un sistema di e-tutoring

The role of tutoring systems and the user modelling interface are central issues on in e-learning community studies (Bevacqua et al., in press ; Berry et al., 2005; De Carolis et al., 2005). In this paper we propose a system based on a text-to-speech 3D synthesised animated face incorporating cognitive, linguistic and phonetics features (and the consequent multimodal integration of audio-visual signals) in an e-learning context. The LUCIA (an expressive Talking in Italian Head) bimodal text-to-speech system by ISTC, Section of Padova, is described. Further we introduce the results of a test on motivation to interact with three different interfaces in HCI and e-learning: graphic interface, text-to-speech vocal synthesis interface and bimodal text-to-speech interface.