RESEARCH

AACSB Insights on VR in Soft Skills Training: The AACSB discussed the shift in training methods at RMIT University, where VR replaced in-person simulations. This change highlighted the growing utility of VR in education. VR scenarios at RMIT University focused on teamwork, interpersonal skills, and negotiation skills. These simulations were designed to be emotionally realistic, helping students enhance underdeveloped interpersonal abilities. The VR role-plays had several advantages, including flexibility, scalability, and the ability to provide immediate feedback and repeat simulations for continual improvement.

Students reported significant improvements in their soft skills after participating in VR simulations. The technology's effectiveness in emulating professional workplace scenarios was particularly noted. Despite these advantages, challenges such as the need for specialized equipment and acclimatization to VR technology were also mentioned.

Deloitte Insights on AR and VR for Soft Skill Training: Deloitte’s insights emphasize the growing importance of human capabilities such as creativity, problem-solving, and effective teamwork in the business world.

Immersive learning technologies like VR have shown significant benefits in teaching skills for physically dangerous scenarios and are now being recognized for their potential in developing human capabilities. For instance, Best Western used an avatar-based VR training simulation for front-desk staff to improve customer service skills. The training allowed employees to interact with virtual characters in challenging scenarios similar to real-life situations.

Measurable improvements were noted across various human capabilities including de-escalation, public speaking, managing difficult conversations, and more. VR provides a low-risk environment for practicing these skills, leading to better retention and application in real-life situations.

VR for Soft Skills Training: PwC conducted a study to explore the effectiveness of VR in training for diversity and inclusion, an aspect of unconscious bias training. This study found that VR was more effective than classroom and e-learning settings in teaching soft skills concepts.

• A 40% improvement in confidence for VR learners over classroom learners, and 35% over e-learners.
• VR learning became more cost-effective than classroom learning at 375 learners and more cost-effective than e-learning at 1,950 learners.
• VR learners completed training four times faster than those in the classroom.
• VR learners felt significantly more emotionally connected to the content than both classroom and e-learners.
• VR training was considered an integral part of a blended learning curriculum for training specific types of skills.

Potential Benefits: VR increases access to education, especially in remote or underprivileged areas, provides equal learning opportunities, introduces advanced learning techniques like gamification, improves learning outcomes, and drives innovation in education.