Affective Computing for Learning in Education: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Affective computing is an emerging area of education research and has the potential to enhance educational outcomes. Despite the growing number of literature studies, there are still deficiencies and gaps in the domain of affective computing in education. In this study, we systematically review affe...

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Main Authors: Rajamanickam Yuvaraj, Rakshit Mittal, A. Amalin Prince, Jun Song Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/1/65
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author Rajamanickam Yuvaraj
Rakshit Mittal
A. Amalin Prince
Jun Song Huang
author_facet Rajamanickam Yuvaraj
Rakshit Mittal
A. Amalin Prince
Jun Song Huang
author_sort Rajamanickam Yuvaraj
collection DOAJ
description Affective computing is an emerging area of education research and has the potential to enhance educational outcomes. Despite the growing number of literature studies, there are still deficiencies and gaps in the domain of affective computing in education. In this study, we systematically review affective computing in the education domain. Methods: We queried four well-known research databases, namely the Web of Science Core Collection, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and PubMed, using specific keywords for papers published between January 2010 and July 2023. Various relevant data items are extracted and classified based on a set of 15 extensive research questions. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a total of 175 studies were selected and reviewed in this work from among 3102 articles screened. The data show an increasing trend in publications within this domain. The most common research purpose involves designing emotion recognition/expression systems. Conventional textual questionnaires remain the most popular channels for affective measurement. Classrooms are identified as the primary research environments; the largest research sample group is university students. Learning domains are mainly associated with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses. The bibliometric analysis reveals that most publications are affiliated with the USA. The studies are primarily published in journals, with the majority appearing in the <i>Frontiers in Psychology</i> journal. Research gaps, challenges, and potential directions for future research are explored. This review synthesizes current knowledge regarding the application of affective computing in the education sector. This knowledge is useful for future directions to help educational researchers, policymakers, and practitioners deploy affective computing technology to broaden educational practices.
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spelling doaj-art-6a44c49fbddc478788df65c3a3abcf4f2025-01-24T13:30:26ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-01-011516510.3390/educsci15010065Affective Computing for Learning in Education: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric AnalysisRajamanickam Yuvaraj0Rakshit Mittal1A. Amalin Prince2Jun Song Huang3Science of Learning in Education Center (SoLEC), Office of Education Research (OER), National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616, SingaporeDepartment of Computer Science, University of Antwerp, FlandersMake @ UAntwerpen, 2020 Antwerp, BelgiumDepartment of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus, Sancoale 403726, Goa, IndiaScience of Learning in Education Center (SoLEC), Office of Education Research (OER), National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616, SingaporeAffective computing is an emerging area of education research and has the potential to enhance educational outcomes. Despite the growing number of literature studies, there are still deficiencies and gaps in the domain of affective computing in education. In this study, we systematically review affective computing in the education domain. Methods: We queried four well-known research databases, namely the Web of Science Core Collection, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and PubMed, using specific keywords for papers published between January 2010 and July 2023. Various relevant data items are extracted and classified based on a set of 15 extensive research questions. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a total of 175 studies were selected and reviewed in this work from among 3102 articles screened. The data show an increasing trend in publications within this domain. The most common research purpose involves designing emotion recognition/expression systems. Conventional textual questionnaires remain the most popular channels for affective measurement. Classrooms are identified as the primary research environments; the largest research sample group is university students. Learning domains are mainly associated with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses. The bibliometric analysis reveals that most publications are affiliated with the USA. The studies are primarily published in journals, with the majority appearing in the <i>Frontiers in Psychology</i> journal. Research gaps, challenges, and potential directions for future research are explored. This review synthesizes current knowledge regarding the application of affective computing in the education sector. This knowledge is useful for future directions to help educational researchers, policymakers, and practitioners deploy affective computing technology to broaden educational practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/1/65affective computinglearningeducationcomputerized teachingemotion recognitionemotion regulation
spellingShingle Rajamanickam Yuvaraj
Rakshit Mittal
A. Amalin Prince
Jun Song Huang
Affective Computing for Learning in Education: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis
Education Sciences
affective computing
learning
education
computerized teaching
emotion recognition
emotion regulation
title Affective Computing for Learning in Education: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis
title_full Affective Computing for Learning in Education: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis
title_fullStr Affective Computing for Learning in Education: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Affective Computing for Learning in Education: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis
title_short Affective Computing for Learning in Education: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis
title_sort affective computing for learning in education a systematic review and bibliometric analysis
topic affective computing
learning
education
computerized teaching
emotion recognition
emotion regulation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/1/65
work_keys_str_mv AT rajamanickamyuvaraj affectivecomputingforlearningineducationasystematicreviewandbibliometricanalysis
AT rakshitmittal affectivecomputingforlearningineducationasystematicreviewandbibliometricanalysis
AT aamalinprince affectivecomputingforlearningineducationasystematicreviewandbibliometricanalysis
AT junsonghuang affectivecomputingforlearningineducationasystematicreviewandbibliometricanalysis