Bodyswaps delivers world class immersive learning for developing soft skills

The World Economic Forum states that 7 out of the 10 most in-demand skills for the next decade have to do with working with each other and self-efficacy. So, how do we upskill hundreds of millions of people on their human skills in a way that is fast, truly impactful, and cost-efficient? And how do we create something that students really want to engage with?

The answer is Virtual Reality (VR) and more specifically, Bodyswaps; a simulation software, powered by immersive learning pedagogy and AI, that empowers students to practise and improve their soft skills, such as communication, management, or emotional intelligence, by practising with virtual humans. Emerging generations are excited about VR, with education providers increasingly finding that learning platforms that embrace this technology are experiencing higher engagement levels.

With a bold vision to solve this problem, Bodyswaps built what they like to call “a Flight Simulator for human skills”. As a result, they’ve created something that feels real and unpredictable but is also safe and personalised. This is a platform designed with students in mind. Bodyswaps is obsessed with learning performance and is therefore consistently experimenting and optimising their pedagogical approach by leveraging advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Extended Reality (XR) with one goal: equipping learners with critical professional skills and the confidence to use them in the real-world.

Using VR to teach soft skills

Soft skills are difficult to teach in the classroom. How can one teacher facing 30+ students teach resilience, conflict resolution, or critical thinking? How can they prepare students for what they’ll face in the real-world when the classroom looks and feels nothing like that real-world?
The unique contribution that VR brings is to immerse students in realistic but safe scenarios in which they can practise without fear of judgement or repercussions. AI is then used to personalise the learning experience and give actionable feedback that students can use once they’re back in the real-world.

Bodyswaps is a market leader in this type of education and has been fully embraced by Coleg y Cymoedd. The move has been an entirely positive one for both students and tutors. One student said, “The hands-on element has been nice, helping me work towards qualifications, and I've built a lot of skills and resilience.” Another put it this way, “Bodyswaps boosted my confidence in speaking to an audience, something I've always found hard because of my nervousness and anxiety.” But it’s not just students who recognise the benefit of embracing VR solutions to learning challenges. One tutor told us that “It’s been amazing to watch some of the students who are shy and insecure blossom and thrive using something that they would normally avoid doing in the classroom.” Chrstophe Mallet, CEO of Bodyswaps, loved that the “word we heard the most from students wasn’t "cool," "pretty,” or "innovative," but “confidence”.”

The coming together of learning soft skills and VR has worked incredibly well for Coleg y Cymoedd, but it has required the adoption of a VR ecosystem to make it possible. After exploring a number of options, they landed on HTC VIVE, which has a successful track record in that space and already plays a big part in simulation training across multiple industries and disciplines.

True and engaging immersive experiences

Bodyswaps is so popular because they have managed to replicate real-world situations in an engaging and immersive way. From the outset, the team knew that it wasn’t going to be enough to just provide a VR environment that involved walking around a space in first person. This would never have provided the necessary feedback for self-improvement.
That’s where the genius of Bodyswaps is evident. By mapping an exact copy of the student’s actions onto a virtual character and then displaying that on the headset, students are able to more clearly see how they are being perceived. One of the tutors at the college who has been involved in delivering the new experience said they “appreciate how Bodyswaps and HTC VIVE Focus 3 headsets combine to capture the user's body movement and eye contact, which are hard for a tutor to track.”

All of this is made possible through the addition of robust peripherals and accessories, such as HTC VIVE body, hand, and facial trackers. This moves well beyond passive experiences where a whole class of students sit and consume the same lessons all at the same time. Tracking specific movements personalises all the content and ensures that the lessons are brought to life in dynamic ways. “Engagement has been huge for us.” The tutor goes on, “With students taking the initiative to download Bodyswaps onto their own devices, and using it on desktop PCs as well as in VR. The technology is enabling students to improve their soft skills, something that is applicable to every sector and every department we have here in the college.”

Powerful scalability

Another challenge that surfaced during the adoption of Bodyswaps within the college was having to manage so many different devices. This is where partnering with HTC VIVE has made so much sense. Thanks to its advanced Device Management System, Coleg y Cymoedd, has been able to control all essential features of their VR system. This has included installing content, track devices, and manage user accounts.
Alongside Bodyswaps, the college has also been able to roll out other VR apps, experiences and profiles across their device network. HTC’s VIVEPORT Infinity and Business Apps portals has enabled them to ‘try and trial’ other outstanding content and apps, taking time to explore and evaluate their effectiveness and potential impact across the college.

Looking ahead

Coleg y Cymoedd’s successful implementation of Bodyswaps demonstrates how immersive learning can help improve the student experience and positively impact student outcomes. Mallet is a passionate proponent of transforming the world of education.
They are constantly looking towards the future adoption of VR and AR across the industry and the potential career pathways of students, ensuring they provide a curriculum that truly reflects the skills and needs of a diverse range of sectors and workplaces.

Bodyswaps has been fantastically impactful across the college, really enthusing and engaging staff and students who perhaps wouldn't have actively engaged and participated as fully as they have

says Richard Fullylove, Strategic ILT Manager at Coleg y Cymoedd.

He adds “Also for us, in terms of our strategic vision, really engaging with a world-class provider within this space is giving us longevity and a future that we're very much looking forward to."