Designing an Animated Pedagogical Agent for LMS Navigation
First-year students often find the Learning Management System (LMS) overwhelming and difficult to navigate, particularly when engaging with it for the first time. To address this, I designed an animated pedagogical character to guide students through key areas of the LMS using short, embedded videos.
The aim was to provide a more engaging and supportive alternative to static instructions by extending instructional presence into the digital environment.
The character was developed using both instructional design and UX principles, with a focus on:
- clarity and reducing cognitive load
- an approachable and supportive tone
- minimal, consistent visual design
- intentional use of motion to guide attention
These videos were embedded contextually within the LMS, allowing students to access guidance at the point of need rather than all at once.
This intervention helped improve student confidence, reduce repeated technical queries, and create a more supported entry into digital learning. It also reinforced the value of combining motion design, UX thinking, and pedagogy to enhance the learning experience.
This project continues to inform my interest in instructional presence within digitally mediated learning environments.