The environment
The VR environment must meet the following requirements:
- Free access.
- Different languages (English, Dutch, Spanish).
- Ability to use with stand-alone or connected VR sets (Oculus Quest 2 ).
- Support for language learning; ability to add or change languages even after the project ends.
- Two ways to deploy the system:
- (a) Communication with computer-created scenarios with non-playable characters, communication in spoken language (at least English) and the ability to make decisions with written text boxes/multiple choices/branching
- (b) Interactive communication with use of avatars (teacher-student/student-to-student etc.) and free use of spaces to perform simulations in scenarios.
- Scenarios: 2 scenarios for each environment (total 8 scenarios programmed), where one scenario lasts about 8-15 minutes and scenarios within one environment can be played individually or in a series.
- Free space for role playing games in other contexts based on self-submitted cases.
- Recording of the simulation for review and analysis afterwards.
- Screen sharing for live coaching.
- Updates for three years post-project and compatibility with current VR devices maintained
The environment & domains
Domains
There are four programmed domains in the environment:
- Hospitality
- Hair & Beauty
- Retail
- Consultancy office
- Open environment (not programmed)
In each domain, the player can practice 2 scenarios. A scenario is a programmed situation that is trained based on certain keywords and actions. Here the choice of the player has an effect on the reaction of the guest or customer. The situations can be practiced in multiple languages (Dutch, English, Spanish).
It is also possible to practice role plays in the domains. These are not programmed and can be played as follows:
- Teacher–> Student
- Student–> Student
The “open environment” is designed in such a way that MBO courses with other disciplines can also use it. In the manual of the environment (which still has to be written) there are examples of role-plays that can be played.