Åbo Akademi University Integrates VR to Enhance Presentation Skills
Discover how Åbo Akademi University leveraged VirtualSpeech to provide marketing students with immersive training to improve confidence and communication.
Highlights
Skills
Public speaking and presentation skills
6,500
minutes spent in VR
400
VR sessions
45
minute sessions per student
Customer Introduction
Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) is a renowned Finnish institution with a strong emphasis on digital innovation in education. Through initiatives like the DUTAR project, ÅAU explores emerging technologies to enhance student learning experiences across various disciplines.
The Goal
The Introduction to Marketing course at Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) used VirtualSpeech to enhance students' communication and presentation skills. ÅAU aimed to explore VR's untapped potential in business education by providing students with a realistic, immersive environment to practice and refine their public speaking abilities.
The goal was to improve students' confidence and delivery in high-stakes scenarios such as startup pitches while addressing common challenges like stage anxiety and limited real-world practice opportunities.
University Lecturer
Dr. Ilia Gugenishvili
“As VR continues to prove its worth in education, incorporating it into more courses can empower students with essential soft skills, preparing them for success in academia and their future careers.”
The Solution
VR workshops provided students with hands-on experience delivering presentations in simulated boardrooms and investor conferences, receiving real-time feedback on speech pace, filler words, eye contact, and body language. AI-generated questions enhanced their ability to respond spontaneously. Each student participated in a 45-minute VR session with pre-uploaded slides, AI-driven feedback, and independent practice. Post-training interviews showed students appreciated the immersive, judgment-free environment, helping them overcome anxiety and gain practical experience.
Results and Benefits
VirtualSpeech has delivered significant benefits, for the different participants. Key results include:
- Reduced Anxiety: Students used VR to overcome presentation anxiety in a safe, judgment-free space.
- Practical Experience: VR provided valuable practice in presenting to a virtual audience.
- Focused Training: The distraction-free environment helped students concentrate on improving their skills.
- Desire for More VR: Students expressed interest in further VR training sessions and more course integrations.
