Deploying and integrating VR & AI training for soft skills with Coleg y Cymoedd & Cardiff and Vale College

About

In January 2025, Customer Success Manager Rosie organised a roundtable for our Welsh FE college clients. 

Hosted by Head of Customer Success Laura, our main speakers were Richard Fullylove from Coleg y Cymoedd and Jon
Burgess from Cardiff and Vale College. The aim of the session was to share insights on deploying Bodyswaps and integrating our platform into the curricula

About Cardiff and Vale College 

Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC), one of the largest colleges in the UK, serves over 30,000 learners across full- and part-time courses, qualifications, and apprenticeship programmes.

During our Welsh FE Roundtable, we spoke with Jon Burgess, Digital Transformation and Success Centre Lead, who is currently expanding their Bodyswaps deployment to more groups across the college

About Coleg y Cymoedd

Coleg y Cymoedd teaches over 10,000 students across four campuses in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly.

During our Welsh FE Roundtable, we spoke with Richard Fullylove, Head of Technology Enhanced Learning & Engagement, who leads Bodyswaps deployments for both staff and student development   

CAVC's deployment

Staff buy-in

Prior to Bodyswaps being delivered, staff are invited to the college’s “Makerspace” to explore the technologies available, ensuring confidence and familiarity.

Tandem delivery

Student classes go to the Makerspace for initial sessions, with teaching staff delivering alongside the Technology Enhanced Learning team. Training and support is then continuously provided to teaching staff until they feel confident delivering sessions solo.

Coleg y Cymoedd’s deployment

Staff training

Coleg y Cymoedd used a direct approach with teaching staff, driven by a senior leadership initiative around teaching and
learning objectives.

Engagement hubs

The team pooled universal learning provision and library resources together to form Engagement Hubs. Every student in the college is able to attend these hubs weekly for one-to-one tutorial and personalised development sessions, giving a 2-hour touchpoint for students to engage with Bodyswaps.

Top tips for driving engagement

• Make sure there’s plenty of opportunity for staff to explore the technology available, have hands-on experience and ask questions.
• Establish strong support networks and training for staff that focus on implementation and teaching practice.
• Work closely with a group of digital champions to grow usage and showcase successes at staff events

Curriculum integration top tips

• Work closely with academic staff to review their curriculum and plan in aligning modules.
• Look at government directives to guide further usage in addition to curriculum teaching, such as the EDI requirements of the Welsh Government.
• Support peer learning and action research projects to encourage involvement and group discussion.

Example of curriculum integration

Here is an example list of our modules that could be integrated into a Public Services L3 curriculum:

• Growth, Mindset & Resilience
• Negotiation & Conflict Management: Laying the Groundwork
• Negotiation & Conflict Management: Approach & Mindset
• Negotiation & Conflict Management: Gaining Influence and Value
• Workplace Communication
• Giving Feedback
• Understanding Conflict
• Resolving Conflict
• Employability: Managing Interview Anxiety
• Employability: Strategies for Answering (Almost) Any Question
• Employability: Job Interview Simulator
• Navigating Angry Conversations