The Problem
Since 2020, the global pandemic has posed post-secondary institutions with an interesting challenge: how can professors offer engaging, experiential learning tools online while in-person classes and resources were sparse, or unavailable.
While colleges are slowly returning to in person learning, this particular institution needed to find a way to offer hybrid options for said learning tools – this is when they approached XpertVR to develop a virtual training scenario that could be offered in person via VR headset as well as online for students in the Protections, Security and Investigation program.
In the past, students in this program would practice interviewing and investigation tactics with each other in class – for those returning to the classroom, this was still a viable option, but for those who chose to remain online, an alternative was required. Furthermore, in order for the course outline to remain consistent, a better solution would be an independent exercise, administered outside of class time.
XpertVR’s Interview and Investigation Training solution
After consulting with subject matter experts at the college, and understanding this need for a PC based learning tool (online integration) and a VR learning tool (in person) to facilitate hybrid learning, XpertVR was able to get to work and build a simulation.
The simulation replicated a workplace environment where the user, a PSI student, would be able to assume the role of a Private Investigator contracted to conduct an investigative interview and a full investigation of a formal complaint made by an employee to Human Resources.
The scenario allowed the user to view CCTV footage of the incident in question, as well as conduct interviews with a witness, the complainant and the defendant. The user is guided through the process by the Human Resources Manager as well as their Case Manager who would offer corrective responses if the user selected questions that may not be helpful to their investigation.
This was XpertVR’s first opportunity to utilize our in house Conversation Matrix Tool: a tool created by one of our Simulation Developers. The CMT allowed our developers to easily implement conversation branches for each of the Ready Player Me generated Avatars in the scenario. These branches allowed for the users to select from a series of multiple choice verbal responses when conducting interviews with witnesses in the scene, encouraging them to utilize interview skills and their learned knowledge of the judicial systems into practice.
At the end of the scenario, students should be equipped with information to formulate a full investigative report for their assignment.
The final VR simulation allows for students to put on a headset, and feel as though they are entering the workplace where they are met by the HR representative, who provides them with the complaint letter before directing the user to the security office where they can view the CCTV footage and the interview room where they can meet with the witness, complainant and defendant individually, in whatever order they see fit.
In addition to the fully immersive VR build, the desktop version was created for integration into the college’s LMS system for online learners. This build allows for distanced learners to utilize the same experiential learning tools as their on-campus peers, while also offering an accessible option for students that require an alternative to VR.
Results & Feedback
Although the college we worked with would like to stay anonymous for this case study, we can share that they were very pleased with the final product. We look forward to future collaborations with this institution and are excited to see what comes next.