Enhancing presentation skills: a comparative study of students' performance in virtual and physical classrooms

Roland Rencewigg; Nancy Prasanna Joseph

doi:10.31893/multirev.2024156

Keywords:

Confidence

Presentation Skills

Public-Speaking Anxiety

Shy Students

Virtual Classroom

Abstract

This study aimed to establish how virtual classrooms play a crucial role in helping shy students overcome their public speaking anxiety and perform well in a presentation assessment. An in-depth analysis was carried out to show how virtual classrooms are effective scaffolding platforms for students with public speaking anxiety (PSA). The performance of 98 students in presentation assessments in two different settings—physical classrooms and virtual classrooms—was compared and thoroughly investigated. It was found that shy students who had not performed well in the presentation assessment in physical classrooms could perform relatively better in virtual classrooms due to the advantages exclusively available to them. Seven key factors that inhibit student performance in assessments in physical classrooms and seven key factors that facilitate student performance in virtual classrooms are identified.
References
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2. Boetje, J., & Ginkel, S. (2020). The added benefit of an extra practice session in virtual reality on the development of presentation skills: A randomized control trial. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 37(1), 253–264. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12484
3. Clevenger, T., & King, T. R. (1961). A factor analysis of the visible symptoms of stage fright. Speech Monographs, 28(4), 296–298. https://doi.org/10.1080/03637756109375328
4. Daly, J. A., Vangelisti, A. L., & Lawrence, S. G. (1989). Self-focused attention and public speaking anxiety. Personality and Individual Differences, 10(8), 903–913. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(89)90025-1
5. Del Villar, C. P. (2009). Filipino Students’ Communication Performance: Challenging Established Variables and Recognizing Impacts of ICT. Human Communication, 12(2), 137–156.
6. Devito Joseph A. (2020). Essential elements of public speaking. Pearson.
7. Dhawan, S. (2020). Online Learning: A Panacea in the Time of COVID-19 Crisis. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 49(1), 004723952093401. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239520934018
8. Griffin, C. L. (2018). Invitation to public speaking. Cengage Learning.
9. Hammick, J. K., & Lee, M. J. (2014). Do shy people feel less communication apprehension online? The effects of virtual reality on the relationship between personality characteristics and communication outcomes. Computers in Human Behavior, 33(2014), 302–310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.01.046
10. Harris, S. R., Kemmerling, R. L., & North, M. M. (2002). Brief Virtual Reality Therapy for Public Speaking Anxiety. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 5(6), 543–550. https://doi.org/10.1089/109493102321018187
11. King, J. (2002). Preparing EFL Learners for Oral Presentations. The Internet TESL Journal, 8(3). http://iteslj.org/Lessons/King-PublicSpeaking
12. Laghi, F., Schneider, B. H., Vitoroulis, I., Coplan, R. J., Baiocco, R., Amichai-Hamburger, Y., Hudek, N., Koszycki, D., Miller, S., & Flament, M. (2013). Knowing when not to use the Internet: Shyness and adolescents’ on-line and off-line interactions with friends. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(1), 51–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.07.015
13. Li, C., Shi, X., & Dang, J. (2014). Online communication and subjective well-being in Chinese college students: The mediating role of shyness and social self-efficacy. Computers in Human Behavior, 34(May 2014), 89–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.01.032
14. McCroskey, J. C. (1977). Classroom consequences of communication apprehension. Communication Education, 26(1), 27–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634527709378196
15. McGovern, E., Moreira, G., & Luna-Nevarez, C. (2019). An application of virtual reality in education: Can this technology enhance the quality of students’ learning experience? Journal of Education for Business, 95(7), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/08832323.2019.1703096
16. Mishra, Dr. L., Gupta, Dr. T., & Shree, Dr. A. (2020). Online Teaching-Learning in Higher Education during Lockdown Period of COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 100012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2020.100012
17. Morreale, S. P., & Pearson, J. C. (2008). Why Communication Education is Important: The Centrality of the Discipline in the 21st Century. Communication Education, 57(2), 224–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634520701861713
18. Nambiar, D. (2020). The impact of online learning during COVID-19: students’ and teachers’ perspective. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 8(2), 783–793. https://www.academia.edu/download/63726027/18.01.094.2020080220200624-72658-pmlbpw.pdf
19. Newman, J. (1988). Speaker Training: Twenty-Five Experts On Substance And Style. Public Relations Quarterly, 33(2), 15–20. http://www.presenting-yourself.com/pdf/speaker-training-substance-and-style.pdf
20. Nordquist, R. (2020, January 9). What Is Public Speaking Anxiety and How Do You Overcome It? ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/public-speaking-anxiety-psa-1691551
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22. Powers, M. B., & Emmelkamp, P. M. G. (2008). Virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety disorders: A meta‐analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 22(3), 561–569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2007.04.006
23. Raja, F. U. (2017). Anxiety Level in Students of Public Speaking: Causes and Remedies. Journal of Education and Educational Development, 4(1), 94. https://doi.org/10.22555/joeed.v4i1.1001
24. Slater, M., Pertaub, D.‐P., Barker, C., & Clark, D. M. (2006). An experimental study on fear of public speaking using a virtual environment. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 9(5), 627–633. https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2006.9.627
25. Shenoy, V., Mahendra, S., & Vijay, N. (2020). COVID 19 – Lockdown: Technology Adaption, Teaching, Learning, Students Engagement and Faculty Experience. Mukt Shabd Journal, 9(4), 698–702. http://shabdbooks.com/gallery/78-april2020.pdf
26. Stein, M. B. (1996). Public-Speaking Fears in a Community Sample. Archives of General Psychiatry, 53(2), 169. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1996.01830020087010
27. T Girard, M Pinar, & P Trapp. (2011). AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF CLASS PRESENTATIONS AND PEER EVALUATIONS: DO STUDENTS PERCEIVE THE BENEFITS? Academy of Educational Leadership Journal, 15(1), 77–94. https://www.abacademies.org/articles/aeljvol15no12011.pdf
28. Templeton, M. (2010). Using Notes. In Public Speaking and Presentations Demystified: A Self-Teaching Guide (pp. 96–97). McGraw-Hill.
29. Tina Santi Flaherty. (1999). Talk your way to the top. Berkley Pub. Group.
30. van Ginkel, S., Gulikers, J., Biemans, H., Noroozi, O., Roozen, M., Bos, T., van Tilborg, R., van Halteren, M., & Mulder, M. (2019). Fostering oral presentation competence through a virtual reality-based task for delivering feedback. Computers & Education, 134(June 2019), 78–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.02.006
31. Van Horne, P. (2011, November 18). Understanding Body Language: Interested vs. Uninterested. The CP Journal. https://www.cp-journal.com/understanding-body-language-interested-vs-uninterested/
32. Verderber, R. F., Sellnow, D. D., & Verderber, K. S. (2014). The challenge of effective speaking. Wadsworth.
33. Wiederhold, B. K., & Wiederhold, M. D. (2005). Virtual reality therapy for anxiety disorders : advances in evaluation and treatment. American Psychological Association.
34. Working with Shy or Withdrawn Students. (1996, November). Www.Vtaide.com. http://www.vtaide.com/png/ERIC/Working-w-Shy-Students.htm
35. Wörtwein, T., Morency, L. P., & Scherer, S. (2015, September). Automatic assessment and analysis of public speaking anxiety: A virtual audience case study. Paper presented at the 2015 International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction (ACII) (pp. 187–193).

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

How to cite

Rencewigg, R., & Joseph, N. P. (2024). Enhancing presentation skills: a comparative study of students’ performance in virtual and physical classrooms. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 7(7), 2024156. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2024156

[1] Al-Hebaish, S. M. (2012). The Correlation between General Self-Confidence and Academic Achievement in the Oral Presentation Course. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 2(1), 60–65. https://doi.org/10.4304/tpls.2.1.60-65

[2] Boetje, J., & Ginkel, S. (2020). The added benefit of an extra practice session in virtual reality on the development of presentation skills: A randomized control trial. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 37(1), 253–264. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12484

[3] Clevenger, T., & King, T. R. (1961). A factor analysis of the visible symptoms of stage fright. Speech Monographs, 28(4), 296–298. https://doi.org/10.1080/03637756109375328

[4] Daly, J. A., Vangelisti, A. L., & Lawrence, S. G. (1989). Self-focused attention and public speaking anxiety. Personality and Individual Differences, 10(8), 903–913. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(89)90025-1

[5] Del Villar, C. P. (2009). Filipino Students’ Communication Performance: Challenging Established Variables and Recognizing Impacts of ICT. Human Communication, 12(2), 137–156.

[6] Devito Joseph A. (2020). Essential elements of public speaking. Pearson.

[7] Dhawan, S. (2020). Online Learning: A Panacea in the Time of COVID-19 Crisis. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 49(1), 004723952093401. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239520934018

[8] Griffin, C. L. (2018). Invitation to public speaking. Cengage Learning.

[9] Hammick, J. K., & Lee, M. J. (2014). Do shy people feel less communication apprehension online? The effects of virtual reality on the relationship between personality characteristics and communication outcomes. Computers in Human Behavior, 33(2014), 302–310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.01.046

[10] Harris, S. R., Kemmerling, R. L., & North, M. M. (2002). Brief Virtual Reality Therapy for Public Speaking Anxiety. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 5(6), 543–550. https://doi.org/10.1089/109493102321018187

[11] King, J. (2002). Preparing EFL Learners for Oral Presentations. The Internet TESL Journal, 8(3). http://iteslj.org/Lessons/King-PublicSpeaking

[12] Laghi, F., Schneider, B. H., Vitoroulis, I., Coplan, R. J., Baiocco, R., Amichai-Hamburger, Y., Hudek, N., Koszycki, D., Miller, S., & Flament, M. (2013). Knowing when not to use the Internet: Shyness and adolescents’ on-line and off-line interactions with friends. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(1), 51–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.07.015

[13] Li, C., Shi, X., & Dang, J. (2014). Online communication and subjective well-being in Chinese college students: The mediating role of shyness and social self-efficacy. Computers in Human Behavior, 34(May 2014), 89–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.01.032

[14] McCroskey, J. C. (1977). Classroom consequences of communication apprehension. Communication Education, 26(1), 27–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634527709378196

[15] McGovern, E., Moreira, G., & Luna-Nevarez, C. (2019). An application of virtual reality in education: Can this technology enhance the quality of students’ learning experience? Journal of Education for Business, 95(7), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/08832323.2019.1703096

[16] Mishra, Dr. L., Gupta, Dr. T., & Shree, Dr. A. (2020). Online Teaching-Learning in Higher Education during Lockdown Period of COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 100012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2020.100012

[17] Morreale, S. P., & Pearson, J. C. (2008). Why Communication Education is Important: The Centrality of the Discipline in the 21st Century. Communication Education, 57(2), 224–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634520701861713

[18] Nambiar, D. (2020). The impact of online learning during COVID-19: students’ and teachers’ perspective. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 8(2), 783–793. https://www.academia.edu/download/63726027/18.01.094.2020080220200624-72658-pmlbpw.pdf

[19] Newman, J. (1988). Speaker Training: Twenty-Five Experts On Substance And Style. Public Relations Quarterly, 33(2), 15–20. http://www.presenting-yourself.com/pdf/speaker-training-substance-and-style.pdf

[20] Nordquist, R. (2020, January 9). What Is Public Speaking Anxiety and How Do You Overcome It? ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/public-speaking-anxiety-psa-1691551

[21] North, M. M., North, S. M., & Coble, J. R. (1998). Virtual Reality Therapy: an Effective Treatment for the Fear of Public Speaking. International Journal of Virtual Reality, 3(3), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.20870/ijvr.1998.3.3.2625

[22] Powers, M. B., & Emmelkamp, P. M. G. (2008). Virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety disorders: A meta‐analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 22(3), 561–569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2007.04.006

[23] Raja, F. U. (2017). Anxiety Level in Students of Public Speaking: Causes and Remedies. Journal of Education and Educational Development, 4(1), 94. https://doi.org/10.22555/joeed.v4i1.1001

[24] Slater, M., Pertaub, D.‐P., Barker, C., & Clark, D. M. (2006). An experimental study on fear of public speaking using a virtual environment. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 9(5), 627–633. https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2006.9.627

[25] Shenoy, V., Mahendra, S., & Vijay, N. (2020). COVID 19 – Lockdown: Technology Adaption, Teaching, Learning, Students Engagement and Faculty Experience. Mukt Shabd Journal, 9(4), 698–702. http://shabdbooks.com/gallery/78-april2020.pdf

[26] Stein, M. B. (1996). Public-Speaking Fears in a Community Sample. Archives of General Psychiatry, 53(2), 169. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1996.01830020087010

[27] T Girard, M Pinar, & P Trapp. (2011). AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF CLASS PRESENTATIONS AND PEER EVALUATIONS: DO STUDENTS PERCEIVE THE BENEFITS? Academy of Educational Leadership Journal, 15(1), 77–94. https://www.abacademies.org/articles/aeljvol15no12011.pdf

[28] Templeton, M. (2010). Using Notes. In Public Speaking and Presentations Demystified: A Self-Teaching Guide (pp. 96–97). McGraw-Hill.

[29] Tina Santi Flaherty. (1999). Talk your way to the top. Berkley Pub. Group.

[30] van Ginkel, S., Gulikers, J., Biemans, H., Noroozi, O., Roozen, M., Bos, T., van Tilborg, R., van Halteren, M., & Mulder, M. (2019). Fostering oral presentation competence through a virtual reality-based task for delivering feedback. Computers & Education, 134(June 2019), 78–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.02.006

[31] Van Horne, P. (2011, November 18). Understanding Body Language: Interested vs. Uninterested. The CP Journal. https://www.cp-journal.com/understanding-body-language-interested-vs-uninterested/

[32] Verderber, R. F., Sellnow, D. D., & Verderber, K. S. (2014). The challenge of effective speaking. Wadsworth.

[33] Wiederhold, B. K., & Wiederhold, M. D. (2005). Virtual reality therapy for anxiety disorders : advances in evaluation and treatment. American Psychological Association.

[34] Working with Shy or Withdrawn Students. (1996, November). Www.Vtaide.com. http://www.vtaide.com/png/ERIC/Working-w-Shy-Students.htm

[35] Wörtwein, T., Morency, L. P., & Scherer, S. (2015, September). Automatic assessment and analysis of public speaking anxiety: A virtual audience case study. Paper presented at the 2015 International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction (ACII) (pp. 187–193).

Abstract

References

How to cite