Dialogue with Avatars in Simulation-Based Social Work Education: A Scoping Review

Åsa Vidman () and Pia Tham
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Åsa Vidman: Department of Social Work, Criminology and Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, SE-80176 Gävle, Sweden
Pia Tham: Department of Social Work, Criminology and Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, SE-80176 Gävle, Sweden

Social Sciences, 2024, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-18

Abstract: Virtual reality provides students with the opportunity to have simulated experiences in a safe setting and is mostly used to teach direct practice skills. One of the most advanced ways of using virtual simulation in social work education is to interact with avatars. Aim: The overall aim of this scoping review was to find out what is known about the use of dialogue with avatars in virtual reality in simulation-based social work education. Materials: Using Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework, 11 articles were included in this review. Results: The skills taught with the avatars varied, as did the ways of preparing students for the sessions. The training was assessed as meaningful learning in a safe and comfortable environment, offering an opportunity to train in practical skills. According to the pre- and post-tests, in several studies the students’ skills seemed to have improved after the training. The qualitative data also pointed to skill developments. Conclusion: Training with avatars seems to be a useful way of preparing students for their future profession and seems to hold great potential in preparing students for demanding situations that cannot be easily trained for in a classroom. The results also point to technical elements that would benefit from development.

Keywords: social work education; skills training; avatar; virtual reality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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