Goal
June 2018 - August 2019
Build an immersive work training simulation designed to help non-native English speakers learn job-specific tasks while simultaneously improving their English vocabulary.
Client
June 2018 - August 2019
Franklins Restaurant - under innovation grant
Contribution
User Experience Designer & Researcher
User Research
User Interviews
Wireframe Creation
3D modeling
Interaction & Prototype Interaction
Usability Testing
Outcomes
Faster skill acquisition:
Workers who used demonstrated a 35% improvement in task accuracy and completion time after just one week of simulation training compared to those in traditional classroom-based programs.
Enhanced language retention
Embedding vocabulary into job tasks to help users connect words with actions, making retention more natural and intuitive.
Increased confidence and job readiness:
Trainers noted higher engagement levels, and workers expressed reduced anxiety about both performing tasks and communicating on the job since simulation provided the environment to practice.
Takeaways
Further User Testing
Conduct more usability testing with a larger student testing pool. Due COVID-19, sessions could not be scheduled as easily.
Mobile security & development
Future iterations will gather sensitive student information so collaboration with University Security personnel will be required.
Mobile security & development
Design and implement a secure mobile experience.
Opportunity Summary
Opportunity: ServSafe Regulation & Vocabulary Retention Issues
A small restaurant owner had a problem where new employees, many of whom spoke English as a second language, were struggling to quickly grasp the ServSafe Food and Handling terminology, workflows, and regulations. The time and cost to send employees to the traditional training classes every 2 years was extensive and not engaging enough for employees to retain information without needing external guidance and handbooks. This made the restaurant owner explore less traditional training ways.
Following a grant approval and permission from the restaurant owner, the research development team conducted focus studies and built Virtual Reality (VR) simulation prototypes. These efforts ultimately provided quantifiable evidence of language acquisition and retention in a real-world work setting using emerging technology such as VR.
VR Simulation of ServSafe Food & Handling Regulations and Terminology
We developed an interactive VR simulation prototype tailored to vocabulary training and ServSafe Regulation details around the 3D environment.Key features were:
Engage in scenario-based learning: Employees interacted with sanitation responsibilities such like cleaning dishes and reviewing the protocol for sanitation sinks.
These were core topics within the ServSafe guidance and were provided as hands-on exercises.
Learn language in context: Key restaurant-related vocabulary and phrases were attached to the kitchen items and areas so employees would know the English Translation.
Practice in a risk-free environment: Employees could make mistakes and learn without the pressure of a real kitchen environment but still feel prepared to apply skills outside the simulation. Adding the real kitchen layout to the simulation aided to this effort.
The Solution
Initial mapping of the restaurant's layout
Area for handling the water sink system
Dish washing exercise to practice proper washing and storing of plates in a high-volume environment
Key sanitation tip card about why the exercise is important and the consequences of improper maintenance
Food Safety & Handling Voice Recognition
This immersive training tool allowed employees to practice job-related tasks in a virtual restaurant environment while simultaneously reinforcing their English language skills. The VR experience aimed to accelerate learning, improve retention, and increase overall confidence in a low-pressure setting.
Our initial prototype consisted of a 3D-rendered restaurant environment with interactive objects labeled in English but voiceover in Spanish. The user could interact with these objects and perform 2 crucial tasks from ServSafe Guidelines: Sanitation and Food Safety Handling.
Usability Testing
With research and interview data, the hopes is to find out what keeps budding artists engaged and learn what makes them keep going and what makes them lose interest. This also allows for a psychological exploration why makes repetitive task effective for learning purposes. I wanted to prove if my solution architecture approach was translated well to the audience.
Work Training Simulation Videos
Authentication
Washing Dishes
Instructional Video Animation as a tutorial guide
Operating industry standard dishwasher
Food Safety & Handling
Reflection
Main Takeaways!
Clear Instructions for Different Exercises
Employees were more engaged with interactive learning than with traditional training.
The gamified approach led to higher motivation and better retention. Restaurant owners gained valuable insights into the capabilities of VR simulation training.
Future Developments!
Building a Community - Adding Social Media
Some employees needed longer adaptation periods to VR controls. Expanding speech recognition accuracy for various accents would further enhance usability.
Group Collaboration
This project demonstrated how VR technology can transform employee training by making learning more immersive, engaging, and effective. By combining language education with hands-on restaurant training, we provided an innovative alternate experience with learning ServSafe regulations and communication on the job.
Moving forward, we see potential applications for this technology beyond the restaurant industry, including retail, healthcare, and customer service training.