The first time learners use Bodyswaps, this onboarding sequence familiarises them with the features of the app, takes them through an avatar selection and embodiment activity, and prepares them for the experience to come. 

During the induction, learners will: 

• Find out how this training is different from the rest
• Select their avatar
• Discover their virtual journal
• Learn how to navigate and use the tools and settings

The module begins by establishing the scenario and the learner’s role as a contestant in a virtual business-styled reality game show called You’ve Been Hired!

Shayla, entrepreneur, former winner of the contest and Blue Team coach, introduces herself and the other key characters:

• The learner’s team mates on the Blue Team – Suki and Jamal
• Their rivals on the Red Team - Astrid, Nia and James, with their coach Leo
• The contest’s celebrity judge Harry

Then, Shayla sets the scene by explaining that the learner will take part in a series of challenges covering key areas of communication skills: 

• Non-verbals
• Clear, concise confident delivery
• Active listening
• Speaking persuasively

As an expert in communication, Shayla explains that she’s there to help the learner win.

The challenge: Harry, wants to meet each contestant personally. The learner has 1 minute to make a good impression, so effective non-verbal communication is of the utmost importance.

The learning: Shayla takes the  learner through a sequence of three simple experiments to get them reflecting on how they use non-verbals.

• Experiment 1 – eye contact: The learner practices making eye contact with their own reflection in the mirror and then with Shayla, who encourages them to reflect on how eye contact makes them feel.
• Experiment 2 – hand gestures: The learner delivers the same statement three times with direction from Shayla on how to use their hands. They then replay all three recordings, and consider the difference that hand gestures can make (note: desktop users receive an alternative version of this section with a tutorial from Shayla).
• Experiment 3 – intonation: The learner again repeats the same statement three times, but this time focusing on intonation and what results you can expect from using different voices.

Finally, it’s time to meet Harry and put what they’ve learned to the test. Can the learner make a good impression? It doesn’t matter what the learner chooses to tell Harry about – analytics provide feedback on their non-verbals. 

How to win: The learner must achieve an ‘optimal’ result in their non-verbal analytics.

The challenge: The learner must pitch an idea to Harry on behalf of their team. The Red Team goes first – the learner witnesses Astrid stumble through a vague and meandering pitch. Shayla challenges the learner to decipher Astrid’s key message to demonstrate the need for communicating with Clarity, Concision and Confidence.

The learning: In this freeform interaction, the learner gets two attempts to practice what they’re going to say in their own words, receiving feedback from Shayla on whether they spoke with enough clarity, concision and confidence, before finally presenting to Harry.

In between each attempt, analytics pick up on verbal and non-verbal aspects of their performance to give additional, more personalised, guidance.

In each of the three attempts either Shayla or Harry, with the help of LLM AI technology, attempt to determine the learner’s key message. If they fail to do so, the learner is given the option to watch their own presentation back to see if they can work out why their message didn’t come across as they intended. 

How to win: Harry must correctly determine the learner’s message on the third and final attempt.

The challenge: The two teams are in a race against the clock to design a system of rickshaw rides for a popular tourist destination called Sunnyside, but things aren’t getting off to a great start. Suki knows Sunnyside well and is sure she knows how to win, but Jamal isn’t listening to her. If they want to win, the learner must step in and use their active listening skills to make Suki feel heard again.

The learning: First, the learner observes the unfortunate interaction, clicking or tapping to identify each time Jamal fails to demonstrate good active listening. Visual feedback is provided in real-time to indicate whether the learner has identified each example, and feedback is supplied at the end.

Then it’s the learner’s turn to demonstrate their own active listening skills in a freeform conversation with a visibly upset Suki, speaking in their own words to diffuse the situation by making her feel heard.

At each stage of this freeform conversation, analytics pick up on keywords that demonstrate they’ve listened and heard what Suki is trying to say. This data is used to control a gauge on the screen behind Suki to show whether she feels heard or not.

How to win: The gauge must be above 50% by the end of the conversation.

The challenge: The Blue Team is planning the launch week for a new restaurant owned by a pop superstar. It’s an exciting opportunity, but first they need to decide what will be on the menu. In a tip off from Shayla, the learner discovers that in order to win the challenge, they must persuade Jamal and Suki to include pineapple as a topping. The only problem is, they both hate pineapple! 

The learning: Shayla equips the learner with an argument structure – beginning with a claim, backing it up with evidence, and finishing with a strong warrant to present their argument in the best way possible.

The learner then heads to the boardroom where they must use the Claim, e Evidence, Warrant method to convince Jamal and Suki that pineapple is the way to go. 

At each stage of this scaffolded conversation, the learner chooses what to say from three given options. Each option elicits a different response from their teammates, along with a message from Shayla providing further helpful feedback.

How to win: The learner must answer 3 out of the 5 questions correctly on their first or second attempt. 

The challenge: The winning team will be working with Ali – a young, influential entrepreneur with his finger on the pulse – to design a new game. The learner has been tasked with finding out Ali’s wants and needs and proving to him that they have what it takes to be his partner in this exciting venture.

The simulation: Shayla takes the opportunity to give the learner one last piece of advice and gives them four things to consider in their game design – the target audience, the number of players, the game type and the device it can be played on.

The learner meets with Ali in his company’s relaxed meeting space to hear his ideas about the new game. In just a couple of minutes, they must listen actively to what Ali tells them and gather all the information they need to pitch a game design that Ali will love. 

Then, it’s time to pitch their idea to Ali in their own words. Learners can either dive straight in based on what they’ve just heard, or pick a game description from a selection provided if they need a little help. But they must choose with care, because only one of the descriptions matches all of Ali’s criteria!

AI analytics and LLM AI assess the learner’s verbal and non-verbal communication to determine whether they’re using the skills they’ve learned during their time on the show. 

How to win: The learner must achieve an ‘optimal’ result by using keywords that demonstrate they heard and understood Ali’s brief. 

After receiving their feedback, if the learner fell short in any areas they’ll be prompted to try the relevant challenges again.

Shayla congratulates the learner on making it to the end of the contest. 

She lets them know that she’s seen a huge change in their communication skills and that she’s excited to see what happens next for them.

Finally, she thanks them for taking part and reminds them that the skills they’ve learned will help them - whatever direction they choose for their future career.

Before the learner leaves the module, they are asked to complete a short survey about their experience. 

This survey is not compulsory, but the data helps us to assess the effectiveness of our product and identify any areas that need improvement. Clients also find it beneficial when assessing ROI. 

They are asked to mark whether they agree or disagree with the following statements, on a 10 point scale: 

• I would recommend this experience to others 
• The experience helped me identify elements of my communication skills that I could improve upon
• I now have a better understanding of communication skills in the workplace