This document discusses best practices for using virtual worlds like Second Life for role playing and training soft skills. Some key benefits are allowing for interactive skills practice in a safe environment at a lower cost than traveling. Challenges include ensuring participants have the technical skills to navigate the virtual world and dealing with technology issues. The document provides tips like testing systems beforehand, using voice chat programs if in-world voice fails, and monitoring role plays discreetly with invisible avatars. It emphasizes preparing participants, trainers, and the virtual environment to make the most of virtual world training opportunities while avoiding issues.

1. Best Practices for Role Playing Soft Skills in Virtual Worlds Patti Abshier, MSPH, MSW, Ph.D. (ABD) Candidate & Michelle Hyland, BAH, BEd

2. What We Play Second Life StarTrek Online Rift Halo Guitar Hero

3. This Presentation Will Cover… Overview Benefits Challenges/Lessons Learned Q & A

4. Overview: Training in Virtual Worlds

6. Overview: Training in Virtual Worlds Information Giving Seminars Static Displays Classroom lectures and discussions – any information based topic Skills Training Nutrition Economic Forecasting

7. Overview: Training in Virtual Worlds Soft Skills Motivational Interviewing (Boston University) Counseling Skills (in general or topical) Medical Interviewing Techniques Breastfeeding Peer Education – HIV Focused

8. Benefits of Virtual Worlds RP Based Training

9. Synchronous Motivational Interviewing (Boston University) Counseling Skills (in general or topical) Interactions-roles not extensively scripted out Less staff time in creating discussion trees Less staff time programming in the decision trees Training remains dynamic and fluid Benefits of Using Virtual Worlds for Soft Skills / RP Training

11. Cost based on SIM rental and building time; once scenes built limited upgrades needed

13. Lessons Learned: Benefits and Challenges

16. Challenges User Tech Ability in Second Life Basic Movement Skills Quests and Activities Prior to Training Teleportation Skills Quests and Activities Prior to Training and explanation again at beginning of session

17. Voice and Text Chat Practice and explanation prior to beginning of training as component of introduction Challenges

18. Challenges Technology Graphics and Processors Information on basic systems requirements sent out prior to training in “Introduction Manual” on Viewer 2 Prior load and test of systems by participants Explain basics of problems – how to turn graphics down to usable levels Keep participants informed of known issues – fair warning concept

19. Challenges Virtual World Technology Voice When Voice fails use Ventrilo or other VOIP provider Group Chat/IM Failure Individual IM’s if small group Reconvene in large group

20. SIM Lag (Known issue!) Let trainees know ahead of time of this possibility and what to do graphics settings, wait, accept that based on their system some things may not resolve (sculpties specifically) Make sure all avatars have no scrip heavy items on Assign avatars (you control what is worn) Challenges

21. Challenges Creating Animations Time to create body positions for RP and Classroom To be effective, need to have multiple animations in each chair Sit open, sit partially closed, contemplating, angry, etc. General sits, raise hand etc. Skill of Builder Static poses not always effective Change in poses based on questions asks

22. Training Trainers To navigate the virtual world Sit, walk, teleport, etc. To emote Have to be very aware of body language and gestures Have to have relatively good language skills to express body language through emotes Train trainers on using Second Life prior to the training including how to keep conversations going, how to know when someone has left their computer, etc. Challenges

23. Challenges Role Play Environment 2-Dimensional thinking in a 3-Dimensional World Use of multi-elevation learning areas Keeping Individuals Engaged Same issues as when conducting a webinar Activities and discussion programmed in every 15 minutes

24. Monitoring RP and Group Activities without being intrusive Invisible avatars ONLY USED FOR IN SIM RP Participants informed in advance of usage Challenges

25. Restricting Access & Assigning Avatars Griefers Restrict access to SIM to group members only Check sim prior to all trainings for off sim text griefing Assign Avatars Only LM to the site Given avatar assignments no more than 4 days prior Adult Areas Change passwords after training Challenges

26. Q & A