Training Oral Communication- Skills using an Avatar

Authors

Nanda van der Stap
University of Applied Sciences Utrecht image/svg+xml
Emanuel van Dongen
Utrecht University image/svg+xml
Stan van Ginkel
University of Applied Sciences Utrecht image/svg+xml
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18690/um.fov.4.2026.62

Synopsis

Training participants to give quality feedback requires them to receive feedback themselves on the feedback they have given to someone else. Such training is time-consuming and anxiety-inducing. Nevertheless, the reception of feedback is primarily dependent on its perceived quality, therefore training is essential. In the present study, an AI-driven Avatar was used as the recipient of feedback, generating a feedback report concerning the feedback given. 200 participants will train themselves using the Avatar, in which their purported findings on perceived value/usefulness of the training, their competence and confidence will be measured (pre and post) using questionnaires based on IMI scales. Additionally, Learning Analytics will be exploited to measure the number of times students logged in, and the duration of their sessions. The overall results should show the effects of using an Avatar on students’ perceptions and confidence on feedback-giving. A future study may show how this affects students’ professional practice.

Author Biographies

Nanda van der Stap, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

Dr. Nanda van der Stap is Curriculum Coordinator for the Master Teaching English at the HU University of Applied Sciences, and researcher at the Research Centre Digital Ethics. Additionally, she is involved in several projects that bring together developing competences, education, and AI-driven technology.

Utrecht, the Netherlands. E-mail: nanda.vanderstap@hu.nl

Emanuel van Dongen, Utrecht University

Dr. Emanuel  G.D. van Dongen is Associate Professor at the Molengraaff Institute, Utrecht University, and researcher at the Utrecht Centre for Accountability and Liability Law. Alongside his teaching and research, he is actively involved in (technology-driven) innovation projects, connecting insights from Educational Sciences with Technological Developments.

Utrecht, the Netherlands. E-mail: e.g.d.vandongen@uu.nl

Stan van Ginkel, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

Dr. Stan van Ginkel is Professor of Applied Sciences at the Research Group Digital Ethics at the HU University of Applied Sciences. Further, he supervises PhD students and other researchers in projects on digital literacy, digital didactics and digital ethics.

Utrecht, the Netherlands. E-mail: stan.vanginkel@hu.nl

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Volume

39th Bled eConference: Co-Creating Human-Centred and Responsible Digital Futures; Conference Proceedings

Pages

993-1000

Published

June 5, 2026

Series

Bled eConference

Categories

Copyright (c) 2026 University of Maribor, University of Maribor Press

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

van der Stap, N., van Dongen, E., & van Ginkel, S. (2026). Training Oral Communication- Skills using an Avatar. In D. Vidmar, A. Pucihar, M. Kljajić Borštnar, R. W. H. Bons, M. Glowatz, & H.-D. Zimmermann (Eds.), & (Ed.), 39th Bled eConference: Co-Creating Human-Centred and Responsible Digital Futures; Conference Proceedings (Vols. 39., pp. 993-1000). University of Maribor Press. https://doi.org/10.18690/um.fov.4.2026.62