Look Who’s Talking

It is a research on changing the position of the instructor during role-play in emergency virtual training simulation exercises for fire fighters. Virtual Simulation Training is increased in popularity for training of first responders in case of emergency situations. XVR is a virtual simulation training software used for this cause. Feeling immersed in a simulation is assumed to positively influence learning. Immersion is related to aspects like experiencing Presence and Involvement in the virtual environment. Realness of and interaction with the virtual environment can generate a feeling of Immersion. For a training of Fire Crew Commanders the communication between the trainee and the instructor who is physically present, plays an important role. FCCs and themselves dividing their attention between the virtual and the real. The immersive experience of Fire Crew Commanders was not influenced by the position the instructor has during role-play. An auditory (different voice) and a visual cue (speech balloon) were experienced to be beneficial for giving orders in the virtual environment. For Serious Games, visual and auditory cues can be supportive in creating a better understanding and control of the training scenario.

Claire Visée
V.T. Visch, A.P.O.S. Vermeeren
master thesis, August 2012