Open AccessA Mixed Method Study on the Effectiveness of Using Virtual Reality to Improve Adolescent Public Speaking
Author(s) -
Amber Frantz,
Kimberly Grosenbacher
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of student research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2167-1907
DOI - 10.47611/jsrhs.v10i4.2098
Subject(s) - virtual reality , sample (material) , set (abstract data type) , qualitative property , test (biology) , subject (documents) , psychology , mixed reality , computer science , applied psychology , public speaking , anxiety , human–computer interaction , world wide web , political science , machine learning , paleontology , chemistry , chromatography , psychiatry , law , biology , programming language
This study analyzes the extent to which virtual reality technology is effective in improving self-confidence in children and adolescents ages 12-18 when public speaking. Using a mixed method of both quantitative and qualitative data, subject responses were collected through a pre- and post-test survey prior to and after completing a set of three virtual reality simulations. The data demonstrated that with an increasing number of audience members present in a virtual simulation, subject confidence levels decreased, suggesting that virtual reality can be used as an effective tool in reducing public speaking anxiety. While the current study supports this claim, additional research should be conducted based on the limitations of this study, specifically to enlarge the sample size beyond 20 subjects.