Empowering students with soft skills through immersive learning at CCFET Morrison's Island Campus

About

Cork College of FET Morrison’s Island Campus, nestled in the city centre, provides a range of courses across a variety of disciplines. 

With the mission statement of “A pathway for every learner”, CCFET has strong connections with Higher Education and
Industry to ensure their students have the best opportunities for a successful future.

• Boosting students’ confidence in their communication skills through repeat practice in a risk-free, psychologically safe environment
• Enhancing employability outcomes by equipping students with essential soft skills

Deployment

Self-directed learning

Alongside class deployments, students can also book individual sessions via the college’s “Jobs Hub” to work on their skills independently. 

Flexibility is key

Bodyswaps is currently available on PCs in all computer rooms, and VR sessions take place in a large study hall which is bookable for teachers. Students are able to choose between PCs and Meta Quest headsets, depending on their needs and preferences. 

Results

• 81% of students would recommend Bodyswaps to their peers 
• 81% of students identified areas to improve on their skills
• 84% of students increased their understanding of the topics discussed within the module

Advice

• Promote the formal recognition aspect of Bodyswaps’ digital badges - encourage them to add them as certifications to their LinkedIn profiles
• Start early in the academic year to maximise student engagement before assignment season begins
• Provide setup support for tutors, to teach them all they need to know about Bodyswaps so they can manage their learners themselves

Future plans

As many of the students are on one-year courses, it’s crucial to reintroduce the Bodyswaps programme annually. 

This year, the team is preparing a dynamic and highly visible launch in Semester 1 to generate strong interest and student engagement. 

The team also plans to explore the capabilities of Bodyswaps’ AI roleplays.