LMU College of Business Administration and the Office of Online Learning have partnered with Bodyswaps to offer students a unique opportunity to enhance their soft skills through virtual reality technology. CBA is one of 60 business schools to be accepted into the Soft Skills Education Research Project powered by Bodyswaps and Meta.
Bodyswaps is an award-winning VR platform that brings realistic simulations and AI-enabled feedback to soft skills training. Students can practice and fail safely without repercussions while building the communication, teamwork, and leadership skills needed for successful careers.
“As part of our ongoing effort to identify impactful, technology-enhanced learning opportunities for LMU students, we are excited to have been selected by Bodyswaps to participate in this study,” said Jeff Schwartz, senior director of digital learning and innovation at LMU. “CBA is an ideal partner for this unique platform, and students will have the chance to practice soft-skills development and roleplay real-life workplace scenarios in a variety of virtual environments.”
Before the trial period ends February 29, LMU business students have access to Bodyswaps’ library of resources, including 19 modules that cover a range of skills related to employability, communication, job interviewing, public speaking, DEI, negotiation, and more.
“Bodyswaps showcases the potential that AI and technology can bring to the student experience in allowing them to practice skills in communication and problem-solving in a no-pressure environment while providing life-like scenarios and real-time feedback,” said Jackie Leung, director of undergraduate student engagement for CBA.
Junior marketing major Elana Ingwers can attest to the benefits of Bodyswaps. She completed the “Three steps to answering (almost) any question” module to polish her interviewing skills for internships.
“Using VR technology kept me engaged while learning valuable career skills,” she said. “This module taught me how to answer behavioral-style interview questions using past experiences. It asked me to come up with a few stories or experiences where I may have exemplified leadership that I could apply in various contexts. I learned how to use the CAR method (context, action, result) to optimally answer interview questions.”
Students can explore modules from a PC or mobile device; however, Bodyswaps is best experienced by being immersed in the content through virtual reality headsets. CBA has acquired two Meta Quest 2 headsets that students can reserve to experience Bodyswaps in a VR setting. Undergraduate business students who complete at least one module in Bodyswaps will be eligible for 100 CBA Advantage points.
CBA students can follow these instructions to get started with Bodyswaps.
