Independent randomised control trial proves the high impact of Bodyswaps on public speaking skill development

WhatWorked Education conducted a randomised control trial to evaluate the effectiveness of our Public Speaking & Presentation Skills module across five FE colleges.

What did the research show?

Presentations by students who had received Bodyswaps training were rated more highly by independent judges than presentations by students receiving normal tuition, even after adjusting for differences between the groups before the study commenced. This demonstrates that using Bodyswaps training produces higher rated presentations. The overall effects size of Bodyswaps on presentation ratings was 0.45, indicating a high positive impact across all colleges.

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The research also indicated the importance of engaging with the simulator to practise their public speaking. Success depended upon how engaged they were with the opportunities to practise and receive feedback in the simulator. Students who used it twice improved much more than students who didn't use it, or who only used it once.

Who conducted the research?

WhatWorked Education specialise in facilitating and running robust evaluations of Education Technologies using randomised control trials.

Their mission is to contribute to the growing body of evidence that supports data-driven decision-making in education, empowering educators to efficiently evaluate EdTech solutions. 

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What was the methodology?

The WhatWorked team utilised a randomised control trial to produce truly evidence-based research.

Evidence-based studies demonstrating the impact of VR on public speaking skills are severely lacking. As one of the first of its kind, this report helps to fill that gap, and generate robust evidence for the impact of VR training.

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Participating institutions

Yeovil - new

Yeovil College

Brighton met

Brighton Metropolitan College

Coleg Gwent-1

Coleg Gwent

east durham college

East Durham College

Sunderland college

Sunderland College

Quotes and testimonials

"Learners commented on how the feedback tips have been really effective and helped improve their presentation skills.  This includes tips on maintaining engagement including singing vocal tuning and volume levels.  They said the ratings were really helpful including pace and hand gestures."
Staff Member
East Durham College
"Bodyswaps training produces higher rated presentations."
WhatWorked Report
"Students receiving Bodyswaps training in two of the five FE colleges improved substantially more than students in the same colleges not receiving Bodyswaps."
WhatWorked Report
"[Students] seemed to find it really useful, and we liked the lesson structure it gave them as well as activities they felt confident to do in the safety of a VR headset."
Staff Member
Yeovil College