Virtual reality with distractors to overcome public speaking anxiety in university students

Rodero, Emma and Larrea, Olatz Virtual reality with distractors to overcome public speaking anxiety in university students. Comunicar, 2022, vol. 30, n. 72, pp. 87-99. [Journal article (Paginated)]

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English abstract

The ability to communicate effectively is a crucial aspect of education. For college students, learning how to speak in public is essential for their academic and professional future. However, many students report fear of speaking in public, the so-called Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA). This study aims to implement a training program using Virtual Reality (VR) with distractors to reduce the college students' anxiety. Anxiety was measured with two methods: electrodermal activity and self-report. We also analyze gender differences. There were an experimental and a control group. Both groups had to deliver the same speech twice: pre-test (before training); and post-test (after the training program) while participants’ electrodermal activity was measured. Only the experimental group was trained with VR. Students also completed the Public Speaking Anxiety Scale and a survey to examine their experience. The results showed that the VR training reduced the anxiety levels significantly in the experimental group, but there were no significant differences in the control group. The data also revealed a higher level of anxiety in male than in female students. Finally, participants reported a positive impression of the VR training. These results showed the effectiveness of Virtual Reality software with distractors to reduce public speaking anxiety.

Spanish abstract

La capacidad de comunicarse de manera eficaz es un aspecto fundamental en la educación. Para los estudiantes universitarios, aprender a hablar en público es esencial para su futuro académico y profesional. Sin embargo, muchos estudiantes manifiestan tener miedo a hablar en público, lo que se conoce como ansiedad a hablar en público (PSA en inglés). Este estudio tiene como objetivo implementar un programa de capacitación utilizando Realidad Virtual (RV) con distractores para reducir la ansiedad de los estudiantes universitarios medida con actividad electrodérmica y métodos autoinformados. Para ello se utilizó un grupo experimental y otro de control. Ambos grupos tuvieron que pronunciar el mismo discurso dos veces: prueba pretest (antes del entrenamiento) y postest (después del entrenamiento) mientras se midió la actividad electrodérmica. Solo el grupo experimental fue entrenado con RV. Los estudiantes también completaron una escala de ansiedad al hablar en público y una encuesta para examinar su experiencia. Los resultados mostraron que el entrenamiento con RV redujo significativamente los niveles de ansiedad en el grupo experimental y no hubo diferencias significativas en el grupo de control. Los datos también revelaron un mayor nivel de ansiedad en los estudiantes varones que en las mujeres. Finalmente, los participantes reportaron una impresión positiva del entrenamiento con RV. Estos resultados muestran la efectividad del entrenamiento de RV con distractores para reducir la ansiedad al hablar en público.

Item type: Journal article (Paginated)
Keywords: Virtual reality; public speaking; anxiety; education; communication; university students; Realidad virtual; hablar en público; ansiedad; educación; comunicación; estudiantes universitarios
Subjects: B. Information use and sociology of information > BJ. Communication
G. Industry, profession and education.
G. Industry, profession and education. > GH. Education.
Depositing user: Alex Ruiz
Date deposited: 28 Jul 2022 14:41
Last modified: 28 Jul 2022 14:41
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/43431

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