Public Speaking Practice Configuration
Summary: A step-by-step guide on how to configure your public speaking practice, highlighting available features.
Virtual Reality
VirtualSpeech's customizable configuration empowers users to tailor their public speaking practice to their unique learning goals - whether pursuing personal development or professional advancement. Users can explore diverse practice environments featuring varied audience sizes, demographics, and age groups, with new options added regularly through continuous updates.
VirtualSpeech Online
If you're accessing VirtualSpeech Online, you can begin your public speaking practice by logging in through the website.
Choosing your Practice Environment
Choosing a practice environment within the configuration is simple. On the left-hand side, you'll find a list of environment types, each containing a variety of environments within that category:
Note: XR Rooms only available in Virtual/Mixed-Reality
Once you select an environment, a short description is viewable when you hover over the selected environment, and it will be highlighted in green, indicating it has been selected and is ready to start:
Confirming your selected Roleplay
To confirm your environment selection, you can click ‘Quick Start’, which will take you directly into your chosen practice environment with default settings:
You also have the option to 'Customize' your public speaking practice by selecting the Cog icon next to 'Quickstart'. Selecting this option will allow you to configure your practice by toggling live features, changing audience size, and many more options:
What is Settings Configuration
After selecting a practice environment, users can access the settings configuration to fully personalise their experience. This section offers a variety of options, including choosing your audience size and enabling features like notes, presentation slides, audience questions or timers, setting your preferred language, and more, ensuring the experience is tailored to your needs and goals.
Customization Categories and Filters
Settings are organized into four categories: General, Optional, Advanced, and Required. Use the filter menu at the top of the configuration panel to view one category at a time for easier navigation. To return to the complete settings view, click the All button at the start of the filter bar.
Customization Categories and Filters
Settings are organized into three categories: General, Live Features, and Advanced. Use the filter menu at the top of the configuration panel to view one category at a time for easier navigation. To see all settings at once, click the All button at the beginning of the filter bar.
General Settings - This category contains essential setup options for getting started such as entering your name, selecting a language and using generated topics. These foundational settings establish your public speaking practice configuration. This section may also include environment-specific options available for certain scenes.
Username - The name the app will use to address you. If you save your session, this name will be stored in your configuration by default.
Language - Selects the language for your roleplay interactions with AI avatars. They will respond exclusively in your chosen language, and feedback will match accordingly. All other interface text will remain in English.
Topic - Click the 'Generate Topic' button to receive a random topic from our extensive library to guide your speech practice. Your selected topic will display on the left side above the analysis panel when you begin speaking.
Live Features - Optional settings that enhance your public speaking practice experience. Choose to enable audience questions, reference sample or uploaded notes, display presentation slides, and add visual elements like a microphone prop. Additional features may be available depending on your environment.
Live Feedback - Enables real-time visual prompts during your practice session, offering guidance on stage positioning (left/right movement) and time remaining.
Audience Distractions - Simulates unpredictable real-world conditions by toggling realistic background sounds, such as ringing phones, coughs, and whispers.
Live Q&A - Upload custom questions that your simulated audience will ask during your speech practice, helping you prepare for audience engagement.
Presentation Slides - Select from sample or uploaded slides and access the Presentation Manager to display them at any point during your practice session.
Spotlight (XR Only) - Simulates stage lighting by toggling a spotlight effect, mimicking professional venues like lecture halls and auditoriums.
Speaker Notes - Select from samples or uploaded notes and access the Autocue panel to display them whenever needed during your practice.
Microphone (XR Only) - Enables microphone usage during your practice session. When activated, allows you to select which hand holds the microphone.
Preferred Hand (XR Only) - Choose your dominant hand for holding the microphone during your speech practice.
Advanced Settings - Customize how your public speaking practice functions and how your performance is evaluated. Adjust the audience size to match your selected environment and set a time limit for your speech.
Audience Size - Select an audience size that best suits your practice needs, ranging from small, intimate gatherings to large crowds.
Timer - Set a time limit for your speech. Your practice session will automatically end when the timer reaches zero.
The 'Confirm Settings' button remains disabled until all required fields are completed. A pop-up notification will alert you to any missing settings that need configuration.
Confirming your Configuration
Once you have configured all Avatar Roleplay settings and selected all required options, the 'Confirm your settings' button will become available as shown below:
A preview of your selected Roleplay Configuration settings will be displayed for your review. If you wish to modify any settings, select 'Return' to go back and make changes. Once you're satisfied, select 'Confirm' to begin your Roleplay.
Personalization - Each public speaking practice environment offers unique configuration options tailored to specific scenarios. For example, some scenarios may limit avatar audience size or restrict environment choices—certain environments may lack features like spotlights or echo effects.
Locked Options - Some public speaking practice environments include specific restrictions that limit available settings. Unavailable options appear greyed out or display a padlock icon, indicating they cannot be selected within that particular scenario.
Randomization - Certain configuration options can be randomized to enhance variety in your practice sessions, such as randomly selecting a topic or assigning an audience size. Additional randomization features are planned for future updates.