Designing a Virtual Reality Platform for University Students: An Immersive Approach to Developing Oral Presentation Skills

The increasing use of Virtual Reality in education has demonstrated its potential to enhance student engagement and skill development. This study investigates the design and implementation of a VR platform aimed at helping university students improve their oral presentation skills, while also evaluating user satisfaction through structured surveys. A total of 40 university students from the Speech and Language Therapy program participated in this study, focusing on their interactions with a custom-built, realistic VR application inspired by the main auditorium of their university. The students faced various distraction scenarios that emulated real-life public speaking challenges. Cybersickness symptoms were continuously monitored throughout the sessions; no participants reported or exhibited symptoms requiring interruption of the VR exposure. The VR environment was constructed using Unity and featured adjustable audience sizes, ambient sound controls, and recording capabilities for presentations. The results demonstrated significant enhancements in oral presentation skills post-VR training. Participants exhibited significant improvements in speaking fluency and clarity of expression, as well as reduced anxiety, during the VR experience. Specifically, their fluency increased significantly, and their clarity ratings also improved substantially. Furthermore, behavioral indicators showed a marked decrease in anxiety levels. Participants reported that the immersive nature of the VR experience enhanced their enjoyment, contributing positively to the overall outcomes. The findings suggest that VR is an effective tool for enhancing oral presentation skills in university students, leading to improved confidence and performance in real-life situations.