Person standing between office cubicles holds a virtual reality headset toward the camera. A wall-sized whiteboard covered with colorful sketches, diagrams and notes fills the background of the workspace.

VR practice for public speaking: Brandi Frisby’s CURATE research

Public speaking can feel like a nightmare. People fear it more than death, according to some surveys. But from classroom presentations to high-stakes job interviews, public speaking is a core skill for success. To help abate that fear, Brandi Frisby and her team examined how 360-degree video and virtual reality (VR) headsets can evolve public speaking pedagogy to better serve students and prepare them for the workforce. The goal was to provide a realistic practice environment that helps students manage fear before they step in front of a live audience.