Maastricht University's VR-Based Communication Training

VirtualSpeech has been integrated into Maastricht University’s School of Business and Economics Digital Experience Laboratory (DEXLab) to transform how students develop their communication skills. This innovative use of virtual reality (VR) technology offers a groundbreaking approach to presentation practice and feedback, addressing common challenges in higher education.

Maastricht University’s DEXLab is a hub for digital research and education focused on enhancing learning through advanced technologies. The lab explores methods such as virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve educational outcomes and user experiences in business contexts. As part of a PhD research project led by Roberta Di Palma, VirtualSpeech was adopted to provide students with effective tools for refining their presentation skills. This project aimed to integrate VR-based training across four of the six faculties at the university, reflecting a commitment to innovative educational practices and problem-based learning.

The Problem

A significant issue in higher education is the challenge of providing high-quality, personalized feedback on students’ communication skills. Teachers often lack the time and resources to offer detailed and consistent feedback, leading to students receiving subpar evaluations of their presentation abilities. This shortfall impacts students' learning experiences and their development of both hard and soft skills.

The Solution

To address this problem, DEXLab implemented VirtualSpeech, a VR tool designed for presentation practice and feedback. VirtualSpeech uses AI-driven technology to offer real-time, detailed feedback on various aspects of presentation skills, including eye contact, volume, clarity, and filler words. By simulating a realistic audience and providing instant, actionable feedback, the platform helps students practice their presentations in a controlled, engaging environment. This approach not only alleviates the feedback burden on teachers but also supports students’ skill development through repetitive, realistic practice scenarios.

Benefits of the VR Training Experience

The integration of VirtualSpeech into Maastricht University’s curriculum provides numerous benefits for both students and educators. For students, the VR training experience offers a realistic environment that helps reduce presentation anxiety and allows for iterative practice. The tool’s AI capabilities deliver valuable feedback on presentation techniques, enabling students to refine their skills independently. Additionally, the realistic audience simulations create a more immersive and effective training experience compared to traditional methods.

For teachers, the use of VirtualSpeech significantly reduces the time required for reviewing student presentations. With detailed AI-generated feedback available to students, instructors can focus on other aspects of their teaching responsibilities, leading to a more efficient and effective educational process. Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. 96% of students agree that VirtualSpeech provides a realistic preparation experience for final presentations, while 94% find the feedback valuable for their improvement. These statistics reflect the effectiveness of VirtualSpeech in meeting students' needs for high-quality presentation practice and feedback.

Overall, the implementation of VirtualSpeech at Maastricht University demonstrates how VR technology can revolutionize traditional educational methods. By offering an advanced, scalable solution for presentation practice and feedback, VirtualSpeech supports students in developing essential communication skills while also easing the workload for educators. The success of this project at DEXLab sets a precedent for the future use of VR in higher education and highlights the potential for technology to enhance learning experiences across various disciplines.

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