Design and Implementation of a Learning Model via VRT for Amplifying Interpersonal Communication Skills among Undergraduate Students
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Abstract
International organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and many education experts believe that communication skills are one of the most important for undergraduate students. Good communication skills are crucial for their healthy growth, social adaptation, and career success. However, the current status of communication skills for Chinese undergraduates is not optimistic; therefore, researchers are trying to develop a virtual contextual learning model to improve students’ communication skills. This paper aimed to study (1) the definition of communication skills and their components; (2) the development of a learning model through virtual reality technology (hereinafter referred to as VRT) to improve communication skills; and (3) the effectiveness of the learning model in improving undergraduate students’ communication skills as assessed through VR testing. This study was quantitative research. A sample of this study consisted of 50 students in Class 1 of the 2023 undergraduate law major at the School of Political Science and Law, Zhoukou Normal University, Henan Province. The multi-stage sampling method selected them, and the questionnaire on communication skills of college students served as the collection tool. The researchers reviewed the literature on communication theory, VR theory, problem-based learning theory (hereinafter referred to as PBL), and constructivist theory and designed a learning model based on VRT by combining the results of semi-structured interviews with five teachers. After the experiment concluded, the researchers analyzed the data using a combination of descriptive statistics and content analysis. The results of the study were as follows:
1. Undergraduate students’ communication skills refer to the ability necessary for them to exchange information with others in a comprehensive manner through verbal and nonverbal means in order to establish good interpersonal relationships smoothly and effectively. The main components of Chinese undergraduates' communication skills were their ability to express, listen, understand, and control emotions.
2. Based on VRT theory, PBL learning theory, and constructivist theory, a learning model related to communication skills can be constructed.
3. The learning model constructed in this study was effective in improving undergraduate students’ communication skills.
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