Best practices in role playing soft skills in virtual worlds final
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Virtual worlds like Second Life can be used to train soft skills through role playing scenarios. Some benefits include allowing for synchronous interactions like counseling skills training with less need for extensive scripting. This decreases costs compared to real-world training. Challenges include ensuring participants have the technical skills to navigate Second Life and dealing with technology issues like voice chat failures. Creating realistic role playing animations also takes time. Trainers must also learn to interpret body language through emotes. Overall, virtual worlds allow for engaging skills practice in a safe environment and enable continued follow-up training over time.
Best practices in role playing soft skills in virtual worlds final
- 1. Best Practices for Role Playing Soft Skills in Virtual WorldsPatti Abshier, MSPH, MSW, Ph.D. (ABD) Candidate& Michelle Hyland, BAH, BEd
- 2. This Presentation Will Cover Overview Benefits Challenges/Lessons Learned Q & A
- 3. Overview: Training in Virtual Worlds
- 4. Overview: Training in Virtual Worlds Information GivingSeminars Static DisplaysClassroom lectures and discussions any information based topic Skills TrainingNutrition Economic Forecasting
- 5. Overview: Training in Virtual Worlds Soft SkillsMotivational Interviewing (Boston University)Counseling Skills (in general or topical)Medical Interviewing TechniquesBreastfeeding Peer Education HIV Focused
- 6. Benefits of Virtual Worlds RP Based Training
- 7. SynchronousMotivational Interviewing (Boston University)Counseling Skills (in general or topical)Interactions-roles not extensively scripted out Less staff time in creating discussion treesLess staff time programming in the decision treesTraining remains dynamic and fluidBenefits of Using Virtual Worlds for Soft Skills / RP Training
- 8. Benefits of Using Virtual Worlds for Soft Skills / RP Training Economics Decreased travel expenses and other know factors
- 9. Cost based on SIM rental and building time; once scenes built limited upgrades needed
- 10. Linden Lab has just bumped prices for not-for-profit regions; this may impact the use of Second Life for training and technical supportBenefits of Using Virtual Worlds for Soft Skills Training Adult LearningAllows for individual, small group, large group interactions and activitiesParticipants learn from the experience and expertise of othersMultiple modes of learning via web-based distance learning
- 11. Lessons Learned: Benefits and Challenges
- 12. BenefitsUsing text for relaying informationUnlike a webinar, pilot test participants stated they like that they can scroll up and see what they missed if they have to be away from the computer
- 13. They dont feel like they are missing out EngagementParticipants viewed the pilot trainings as more engaging than webinars or other non face-to-face trainings Enhanced Follow-up Using Second Life training for skills not as an event but a processPractice in non-threatening and fun environmentVirtual reality trainings over time 3, 6, 12 months enhance skillsBack to cost and travel cannot do this many follow-up trainings in real world; too costly both fiscally and time-wiseBenefits
- 14. Challenges User Tech Ability in Second LifeBasic Movement SkillsQuests and Activities Prior to TrainingTeleportation SkillsQuests and Activities Prior to Training and explanation again at beginning of session
- 15. Voice and Text ChatPractice and explanation prior to beginning of training as component of introductionChallenges
- 16. Challenges TechnologyGraphics and ProcessorsInformation on basic systems requirements sent out prior to training in Introduction Manual on Viewer 2Prior load and test of systems by participantsExplain basics of problems how to turn graphics down to usable levels Keep participants informed of known issues fair warning concept
- 17. Challenges Virtual World TechnologyVoice When Voice fails use Ventrilo or other VOIP providerGroup Chat/IM FailureIndividual IMs if small groupReconvene in large group
- 18. SIM Lag (Known issue!) Let trainees know ahead of time of this possibility and what to dographics settings, wait, accept that based on their systemsome things may not resolve (sculpties specifically)Make sure all avatars have no scrip heavy items on Assign avatars (you control what is worn) Challenges
- 19. Challenges Creating AnimationsTime to create body positions for RP and ClassroomTo be effective, need to have multiple animations in each chairSit open, sit partially closed, contemplating, angry, etc.General sits, raise hand etc.Skill of BuilderStatic poses not always effectiveChange in poses based on questions asks
- 20. Training TrainersTo navigate the virtual worldSit, walk, teleport, etc.To emote Have to be very aware of body language and gesturesHave to have relatively good language skills to express body language through emotesTrain trainers on using Second Life prior to the training including how to keep conversations going, how to know when someone has left their computer, etc. Challenges
- 21. Challenges Role Play Environment2-Dimensional thinking in a 3-Dimensional WorldUse of multi-elevation learning areasKeeping Individuals EngagedSame issues as when conducting a webinar Activities and discussion programmed in every 15 minutes
- 22. Monitoring RP and Group Activities without being intrusiveInvisible avatars ONLY USED FOR IN SIM RP Participants informed in advance of usageChallenges
- 23. Restricting Access & Assigning AvatarsGriefersRestrict access to SIM to group members onlyCheck sim prior to all trainings for off sim text griefingAssign AvatarsOnly LM to the siteGiven avatar assignments no more than 4 days priorAdult AreasChange passwords after trainingChallenges
- 24. Q & A