The benefits of Work-VR
Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer-based technology, which can simulate an environment similar to the actual reality. This technology allows for the user to interact with a 3D world by wearing the VR equipment, which include, 3D-glasses with integrated stereo sound and controllers.
Work-VR adresses the following
- Equip the users better for the labor market through an increased level of linguistic, cultural and digital knowledge.
- To provide VET students with an innovative learning method.
- To support and enhance the learning of trade-specific vocabularies within the sectors of health, service and construction.
- To promote digital use in education, and thus enhance individuals levels of digital skills (elaborated under H.1)
The specifics
The material will consist of 4 separate but interdependent sections in each of the partner countries’ languages:
- 3 skill-building sectors focused on each trade-specific vocabulary
- 3 trade-specific VR-environments for practicing vocabulary and job functions within specific sectors.
- 1 skill building sector in job application and interview
- 1 job interview VR-environment for training situation awareness
How it's done
To achieve these objectives, Work-VR will use an online e-training platform for imparting work-related language and culture skills, coupled with an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) environment which these skills are applied in a simulated reality. Work-VR employs Automatic Speech Recognition, which enables the learner to acquire and practice spoken language and test its comprehensibility in the simulated reality, in combination with the appropriate culture- and work-related skills. It can be used in-class in a blended learning environment where the learners can practice with or without supervision. By creating this VR-learning environment, learners will be linguistically supported and thus the project contributes to the specific objective of the Program.
Why it's important
Knowledge of foreign languages and cultures are key factors in equipping people better for the labor market. It is even more important for migrants and refugees, who need to learn the language of their new country, to be able to work and be integrated. However, they grapple with cultural and language barriers and risk of stigmatization in education and the labor market. The EU Action Plan on Integration of third country nationals (2016) already pointed out that linguistic and cultural barriers in education and on the labor market contributes to the vulnerable position of migrants and refugees.
Moreover, the EU Action Plan on the Integration of Third-country Nationals (2016), considers employment a core part of the integration process. The EU Commission suggests that “early integration into vocational training with a strong work-based learning dimension might prove particularly effective for some third country nationals to provide them with the basis for successful integration into the labour market,” which is the exact idea behind the Work-VR project.
Work-VR is a reflection of real life.