Expanding VirtualSpeech Across the Curriculum and Integrating VR Training into the International Case Competition
Discover how Maastricht University's School of Business and Economics expanded its use of VirtualSpeech, integrating it across the curriculum to boost communication skills and empower students even further.
Highlights
Skills
Public speaking, Leadership, Non-Verbal Communication practiced
28%
average skill improvement
86%
of students maintained or improved confidence
2,200+
practice exercises completed
Customer Introduction
VirtualSpeech's VR presentation training was rolled out at Maastricht University's School of Business and Economics in 2021 to provide students with real-time feedback on delivery skills such as eye contact, pacing, and filler words in realistic virtual environments
In 2024, the program expanded beyond traditional coursework to support case competition preparation, a high-stakes format in which students present complex business solutions and field challenging questions from expert judges under intense time pressure.
Students began using VR not only to practice their case presentations but also to rehearse responding to AI-generated questions that simulate the unpredictable nature of judge interrogation.
By 2025, this approach became embedded in the University's competitive training program.
The Goal
The educators and researchers at Maastricht University School of Business and Economics are committed to both delivering exceptional learning experiences and advancing their understanding of educational innovation, and this dual mission shapes their evolving partnership with VirtualSpeech.
Their goal has never been to replace instructors, but rather to provide students with practice opportunities they would not otherwise receive due to trainers' time constraints.
The quantitative insights VirtualSpeech delivers (such as tracking metrics for eye contact, pacing, and vocal delivery) complement, rather than substitute, human feedback from trainers.
Teachers appreciate receiving data-driven insights they could not feasibly provide themselves in such detail, while students value the concrete, trackable nature of their progress over time.
"I wanted to find a valid use case for VR in education that went beyond novelty and offers real learning opportunities. This became possible through VirtualSpeech, which combines innovation and engagement with meaningful learning analytics. What fascinates me most is witnessing students' reactions when using VirtualSpeech for the first time. We always see a transition from initial scepticism to complete enthusiasm, as well as surprise at how valuable the VR experience is. Hearing students say things like 'please include more of this, it's so much better than any other training' is really what drives me to pursue structural integration of this training within our curriculum."
Roberta Di Palma - PhD Candidate and DEXLab Coordinator, Maastricht University School of Business and Economics
The Solution
Integrating VirtualSpeech into case competition preparation offers a particularly interesting case study as it centers students who are already highly capable presenters.
Case competition team members are selected precisely for their strong presentation skills, among other competencies, making them an ideal group to assess what value VirtualSpeech provides to experienced speakers, rather than novices.
The qualitative feedback and behavioral patterns revealed that even skilled presenters found significant value in specific features of the platform.
All 21 students completed two practice sessions during their initial training period, demonstrating genuine engagement with the technology. This level of voluntary practice was particularly noteworthy given the intense time pressures case competition teams face.
Importantly, 86% of students either maintained or improved their confidence levels following VR training, with over half reporting increased presentation confidence.
"This session was definitely one of the most unique so far. It was my first time using VR and AI in this context, and I found the immediate feedback surprisingly useful." "It gave me clear insights into how I come across as a speaker, and I can really see how this kind of technology could help improve presentation skills over time."
Student - Maastricht University
Results and Benefits
The most compelling demonstration of VirtualSpeech's impact came from the four-member Maastricht case competition team, which integrated VR training into its preparation routine in the weeks leading up to the competition.
The team used VirtualSpeech as a core component of their training strategy, practicing both their case presentations and Q&A responses with AI-generated questions that simulated judge interrogation.
Their dedication paid off, as the team won their division at the competition, demonstrating how combining rigorous training with practical tools can lead to exceptional results.
The team members' reflections on how VirtualSpeech supported their preparation and contributed to their success are captured here, offering firsthand insights into the practical value of VR training for high-stakes competitive presentations.
This success story illustrates VirtualSpeech's potential when used not as a one-time exercise, but as an integrated component of sustained, purposeful practice.
The combination of realistic pressure simulation, AI-generated questioning, and data-driven feedback provided these already-skilled presenters with the edge they needed to excel at the highest level of competition.
