
Expanding Training for Emergency Response Professionals
At Akkon University of Applied Sciences, a pioneer in nursing, medicine, education, and humanitarian aid, students embark on educational journeys preparing them for some of society’s most vital professions. Whether it’s nursing, civil protection, or social work, these roles demand a unique mix of empathy, effective communication, and quick decision-making. But how do you train for emotionally intense, real-world interaction?
Traditional role-playing methods have their limitations—predictable scenarios, artificial settings, and often a lack of lasting impact. That’s where CommuniKit, our virtual reality (VR)-powered, AI-driven communication training solution, steps in. In August 2024, we had the privilege of running our very first CommuniKit workshops with Akkon University in Berlin, introducing their students to immersive training for real-world communication challenges.
This collaboration didn’t just help students master communication in critical situations—it also opened the door to exciting innovations in the future of education. Here’s what we accomplished together.
From Theory to Practice: Redefining Communication Training
In Akkon University’s ‘Advanced Clinical Nursing, B.Sc.’ program, students take on the ‘Communication, Self, and Stress Management’ module—a vital component for healthcare practitioners. With experience in high-pressure fields like emergency medicine, intensive care, and psychiatric care, these students understand the importance of non-violent, patient-centric communication.
Through their coursework, they explore communication theories and strategies for conflict resolution. But while traditional role-playing exercises helped in the past, students often found them too staged and predictable to create a lasting impact.
Enter mpthy by CommuniKit—a VR-driven training tool designed to transform the way students prepare for tough conversations. Using VR headsets, students dive into immersive scenarios, either solo or in small groups (2-4 participants), enabling them to practice confidently in a distraction-free, judgment-free space.
This individualized and hands-on simulation approach creates lessons that stick, empowering students to tackle real-world challenges with empathy and composure.
Expanding Training for Emergency Response Professionals
Recognizing the success of the nursing workshops, Akkon University’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department quickly adopted CommuniKit as a part of their ‘Management in Emergency Response’ degree program.
In these fields, where lives hang in the balance, clear and compassionate communication can make all the difference. Whether interacting with patients, distressed family members, or colleagues, immersive VR scenarios provide invaluable opportunities to rehearse these difficult moments.
Co-Creating Scenarios for a Better Learning Experience
Our collaboration workshops at Akkon University went beyond introducing students and lecturers to CommuniKit. Together, we worked to create custom scenarios tailored to their unique needs.
In these hands-on workshops, students, professors, and our VR4content team brainstormed challenges specific to nursing and emergency response. The goal was to design responsive simulations that break down communication barriers and improve interactions with patients and families during high-stakes moments.
Here’s what some students had to say after testing our standard scenarios:
“This feels freeing—it’s like mental hygiene.”
“Much more effective than role-playing with a classmate. I know I wouldn’t act this way in real life.”
“You really immerse yourself. I didn’t even see the avatar—I saw my patient.”
“It’s amazing for training that the scenarios move beyond typical nursing situations.”
“You really learn skills for life!”
And yes, they definitely noticed Elias, the cheeky avatar in pink pyjamas who challenged their patience and adaptability!
A Day in the Workshop: Combining Innovation with Hands-On Training
The workshops kicked off with inspiring welcomes by Prof. Dr. phil. Marisa Przyrembel and Dr. Habil. Matthias Lemke, who shared their vision of modernizing education through digital tools.
Here’s how the day unfolded:
- Keynote on CommuniKit: Students gained insight into how our VR training works and explored the incredible potential of immersive scenarios.
- Group Work: Small teams tackled typical communication challenges in clinical and emergency care using CommuniKit.
- Feedback Session: Students shared their experiences from both career and workshop settings, offering invaluable insights to guide personalized scenario development.
- Scenario Development: Collaborating closely with professors, we refined ideas into fully-fledged simulations tailored to Akkon’s curriculum. These were then tested and evaluated during follow-up seminars.
The result? Scenarios that feel real, address actual workplace challenges, and leave a lasting impact on students’ communication skills.
A Partnership for the Future
The success of these workshops marks the beginning of an exciting partnership between Akkon University and CommuniKit. Together, we’re preparing students to navigate the complexities of their professions while embracing the opportunities of digital transformation.
Our shared mission is clear: to equip future nurses, emergency responders, and humanitarian professionals with the confidence, empathy, and communication skills necessary to make a real difference in the world.
To Akkon University and all the students and professors who participated—thank you! We can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together in future collaborations.
Ready to Transform Learning at Your Organization?
If your institution wants to explore how immersive VR training can revolutionize communication skills, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Together, let’s shape a more prepared, empathetic, and innovative workforce.
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