As part of an instructor-led research project, five research students in Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Digital Communications and Media (DCM) and Multimedia Production (MMP) program have helped their classmates use virtual reality (VR) to reduce anxiety and stress related to public speaking.
Kris Hodgson-Bright, DCM instructor and Scholarship of Teaching and Research (STAR) grant recipient says students are using technology to overcome challenges they face.
“This was an exciting opportunity for our students to see if practising in a virtual environment would alleviate any anxiety they have surrounding getting up in front of an audience,” says Hodgson-Bright. “The results we have seen are exciting, and I believe there is more to be found.”
The STAR grant supports Lethbridge Polytechnic employees pursuing Scholarship of Teaching and Learning projects by providing funding for release time, research assistants, project costs and student participation, helping researchers carry their projects from start to finish. This grant helped Hodgson-Bright fund his initiative with Ovation Virtual Reality software, giving students the opportunity to learn essential public speaking skills in a supportive setting that mirrors real-world scenarios.
“Ovation is a powerful tool to reduce speaking anxiety in students, but it is most effective when educators thoughtfully integrate it into the curriculum,” says Jeff Marshall, founder and CEO, Ovation VR. “Kris and his colleagues at Lethbridge Polytechnic are doing just that and I'm excited to see student progress over the coming semesters.”
Students participating in the research project practised in VR, then presented material to their peers and received critical feedback on how to improve their public speaking skills. Over time, students felt less anxious, integrating feedback into their presentations and repeating the process several times over.
Ovation’s software also provided real-time analytics for students, allowing them to track their progress and adjust before presenting to their peers.
“I really enjoyed working with the Ovation VR software and the VR headsets,” says Sophie Swanson Blackstock, research assistant and second-year DCM student. “Being able to practise public speaking can really boost your confidence. I think it would be easy to get students using Ovation VR in any post-secondary institution because of its ease of use.”
This initiative underscores Lethbridge Polytechnic’s commitment to high-quality, relevant education and showcases dedication to fostering innovative teaching practices and enhancing students' educational journeys through innovative approaches and technology.
To learn more about Ovation Virtual Reality software, visit Ovation VR.
For more information on the DCM and MMP programs and other program and course offerings at Lethbridge Polytechnic, visit: www.lethpolytech.ca/programs-and-courses.