Rochester University Elevates Soft Skills with AI-Driven VR Training
Discover how Rochester University integrates VR and AI into academic departments to enhance public speaking, interviews, and professional development.
Highlights
Skills
Job interview and presentation skills
1431
minutes spent in VR
107
VR sessions
50%
monthly increase in student usage
Customer Introduction
The University of Rochester is a renowned research institution celebrated for its commitment to academic excellence and innovative learning. Dedicated to preparing students for real-world challenges, the university continually invests in cutting-edge technologies to enrich its educational environment.
The Goal
The University of Rochester was seeking innovative ways to enhance the learning experience of its students, particularly in areas like public speaking, professional development, and medical training.
With a growing interest in VR and AR, the university wanted a platform that would allow students to practice communication skills, prepare for job interviews, and engage in practical applied scenarios, all in an immersive, flexible, and easily accessible environment. A solution that could scale across multiple departments, particularly within their XR lab, and cater to a variety of use cases.
Immersive Technology Librarian
Joe Zelazny
“As I advise faculty and students, VirtualSpeech is one of the first apps I recommend. Its AI integration delivers actionable feedback and simulates real-world speaking scenarios, bringing AI beyond basic text analysis.”
The Solution
The platform was integrated into the career center, enabling students to practice AI-assisted interview scenarios by uploading their CVs and job descriptions. Similarly, the Writing, Speaking, and Argument program has leveraged the platform to help students reflect on the significance of this emerging technology and create thoughtful writing pieces about their experiences with it.
The platform’s immersive nature and flexible features led to increased student engagement, while faculty appreciated the immediate feedback provided, enhancing communication skill development. With the XR lab now trained on the platform, VirtualSpeech is well-positioned for broader integration across departments, ensuring it continues to meet the evolving needs of both students and faculty.
Results and Benefits
VirtualSpeech has delivered significant benefits, for the different participants. Key results include:
- Increased Engagement: 50% average monthly increase in student usage.
- Enhanced Student Confidence: Students reported improved readiness for real-world speaking scenarios, such as job interviews and public speaking.
- Immediate, Actionable Feedback: AI-driven feedback helped students refine communication skills effectively.
- Cross-Department Integration: With the XR lab fully trained, VirtualSpeech is positioned for broader use across multiple university departments.
