IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE FOR SOFT SKILLS TRAINING
Interpersonal skills are difficult to train, yet research has shown that this is a top priority for talent development professionals (LinkedIn, 2018). Traditional approaches to training soft skills for changing behaviours is typically led by a facilitator and requires learners to take time away from their school or work to attend a session. Such training is often costly, even more so if teams are dispersed geographically, and many employees do not prioritize this time “away” for training. In the age of technology and globalization, these traditional approaches are not scalable or sustainable. Moreover, while knowledge transfer can occur with this traditional approach, “this knowledge is typically semantic and abstract" (Casale, 2018).
The use of new technologies including Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence is on the rise; such technologies create highly immersive learning environments which “enable organizations to develop critically needed soft skills that in greater demand in an increasingly automated world (Slawson, 2019.)” This targets a prevalent issue for developing communication, leadership, conflict resolution and empathy skills, where current practices often fall short.
The use of new technologies including Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence is on the rise; such technologies create highly immersive learning environments which “enable organizations to develop critically needed soft skills that in greater demand in an increasingly automated world (Slawson, 2019.)” This targets a prevalent issue for developing communication, leadership, conflict resolution and empathy skills, where current practices often fall short.
"Enter the Virtual Human:
an avatar designed to foster interpersonal skill development"
- Craig, 2019
Interactive Role PlayTraining for skills such as communication, empathy, problem solving and leadership is traditionally done in an instructor led environment, and typically involves interaction and practice with a partner or group of people through various role play environments (Schmid, 2018). After the role play scenario is complete, learners receive feedback from peers, facilitators, or perhaps a recorded video, and if time allows, they are given the opportunity to practice again.
|
In order for soft skills training to make an impact, three conditions must be met: |
1interaction with a training partner |
2opportunity for continued practice |
3targeted and timely feedback |
“When confronted with the everyday opportunities to practice empathy in our interactions with others, we may at first not do things quite right. We probably won’t. Observing others modeling empathy, continual practice with feedback are ever the keys to continual improvement”
- Dean Slawson, Founder & CEO of VRANIUM
IMMERSION & PRESENCE
Research has shown how establishing presence and a sense of immersion to facilitate interpersonal skills training can result in changed behaviours. An Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) environment gives the learner a first-person perspective into an alternate world, where interpersonal skills can be trained and practiced with a virtual human as a training partner (Bonasio, 2019). Here, the user feels truly involved in this world with nothing getting in the way of their learning. When presence is established, the learner is also more likely to interact in a way that emulates real life; the learners brain is tricked into thinking that the world they are in is, in fact, real. This presence allows for the training scenario to be a more accurate reflection of a real-world encounter (Casale, 2018).
IVR also limits distraction; whether from chatter among peers in the office, a cell phone ping or simply gazing out the window; completely shutting off from the real world and being able to focus on the one they are immersed in through their headset (Casale, 2018). This allows the user to fully embody someone else and interact in any simulated social interaction. For example, stepping into the shoes of another person enables the learner to empathize in a viewpoint that would have been impossible otherwise, also giving the learner an opportunity to reflect, receive feedback and attempt the scenario again. It is in this immersive experience that the true impact of soft skills can be seen.
IVR also limits distraction; whether from chatter among peers in the office, a cell phone ping or simply gazing out the window; completely shutting off from the real world and being able to focus on the one they are immersed in through their headset (Casale, 2018). This allows the user to fully embody someone else and interact in any simulated social interaction. For example, stepping into the shoes of another person enables the learner to empathize in a viewpoint that would have been impossible otherwise, also giving the learner an opportunity to reflect, receive feedback and attempt the scenario again. It is in this immersive experience that the true impact of soft skills can be seen.
DOES IVR FEEL REAL?
You might wonder if immersive VR truly feels real, or if you are able to separate reality from the virtual experience. Let's take a look at some students and staff at Marc's university experiencing an immersive virtual reality environment, and the challenges they are faced to overcome to earn their reward.