A student is working through a fractions exercise at home. They can follow the example in their notes, but when the numbers change, they’re unsure what to do first. They don’t need the answer. They need someone to ask, “What have you tried so far?” and help them take the next step.
That’s where a co-designed Digital Human could help. A school, TAFE or university could create a learning companion that students can speak to or type to, ask for another explanation, and practise with at their own pace. Educators would shape how it teaches, what material it uses, and when it directs a student to a person.
Give a hint, then let the student try
Personalised tutoring starts with finding out where a learner is stuck. Two students might get the same fractions question wrong for different reasons. One might misunderstand what the denominator represents. The other might understand fractions but forget how to find a common denominator. Giving both students the same explanation misses an opportunity to help.
A learning companion could ask each student to explain their thinking, then offer a hint based on their response. It might use a visual example for the first learner and guide the second through one step of a similar problem. Both students then return to the original question and try it themselves.
The same approach could help a university student unpack an assignment brief or give a vocational learner a chance to rehearse a customer conversation before a practical assessment.
Make it easier to ask the next question
Some students hesitate to ask a question in class, especially when they think everyone else already understands. A companion gives them another place to say, “Can you explain that again?” or “Can we try an easier example?”
A visible Digital Human can make that exchange feel more like a conversation. A learner might talk through a problem aloud, type a question in a quiet study space, or revisit an explanation several times. Where multilingual support is part of the project, a student might discuss an unfamiliar concept in a language they’re comfortable with before practising the English terminology used in class.
Design it with the people who will use it
The best place to start is a specific learning problem. A teaching team might choose one topic that regularly trips students up, then work with learners to test which hints, examples and prompts actually help. Educators can choose the approved course materials, set rules for assessed work, and decide how the companion should respond when it’s unsure. They can also agree what information the companion needs and when it should direct a student to a teacher or support team.
A small pilot could start with one unit and a simple question for students afterwards: “Could you explain the idea or solve a similar problem on your own?” That tells the teaching team more than how many conversations the companion had.
Human X Lab works with education providers to shape a Digital Human around their learners, course materials and teaching goals. If there’s a point in your course where students often get stuck, that’s a good place to start.
Explore Co-designed Digital Humans ↗