W. Lewis Johnson

Dr. Johnson is the Director of the Center for Advanced Research in Technology for Education at the USC / Information Sciences Institute. His interests center on the use of artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction in education and lifelong learning. He leads several projects in this area.

• The Electronic Learning project is developing technologies for developing and delivering on-line higher education courses, in collaboration with the USC Distance Education Network.
• The Automated Distance Education (ADE) project is developing a Web-based pedagogical agent named Adele that provides instruction in the context of case-based learning modules. We are applying this work to medical education. We are also engaged in a number of activities aimed at the incorporation of electronic learning technologies and innovative curricula in higher education.
• The Parent Ed project is developing an interactive pedagogical drama aimed at training mothers of pediatric cancer patients to develop problem solving skills. This project is being conducted in collaboration with a consortium of clinical cancer centers.
• The IMPACT project is developing an interactive pedagogical drama designed to help elementary school children learn better diet and exercise habits. This is being conducted in collaboration with the USC Institute for Prevention Research.

• The Steve project is developing an autonomous pedagogical agent named Steve that provides training in virtual environments, both in individual and team settings.
• The Virtual Factory Teaching System project is developing a collaborative simulation environment for learning factory management methods, guided by pedagogical agents.

Biography

When not working with computers, Lewis sings professionally in concert and on stage. He is a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. His wife Kim and he produce and sell 100% Kona Coffee on their coffee farm in Hawaii.