Corporate training in Second Life often starts with a role-play, or
a lecture-type setting where trainees work with real instructor.
Necessity to conduct training in a synchronous mode with instructor
who leads the training at all times used to limit the basic appeal
of e-learning in Second Life.
Indeed, in e-learning we expect trainees to
be able to learn and practice on their own and instructor to serve as a
figure of authority and a safety net.
With the introduction of specialized e-learning "smart robots" Second Life
training switches to asynchronous mode.
Smart robots developed by AHG interact with trainee during training session. They
look and act like regular avatars controlled by
real people but in fact are operated by computer software.
For instance, in our "Working Under Pressure"
simulation robotic avatar plays a role of manager. This manager unexpectedly appears in
front of the trainee, demands report on the progress, orders new tasks to be performed
and in general distracts and puts additional pressure on the trainee.
In the training program that deals with interaction between people, such as communication or sales
simulations, robots are indispensable as a part of a self-study unit.
Trainees can log in and run the simulation as many times as they need to
become comfortable with their assignment. Our experience shows that programs that
start with lesson taught by a real person -- either on-line or in the class -- and then provide
an opportunity to use simulation result in the best outcome. They are also most effective
in terms of time and resources.
Every time a trainee logs in to complete assigned task or to perform self-training,
our system logs the process for future self-assessment by trainee and review by instructor.
Detailed reports on specific
tasks and progress reports are available.
Our Second Life robot avatars are quite sophisticated in terms of their reaction to
trainee's actions. Not only they provide appropriate verbal response, but non-verbal clues --
gestures, face mimics, sounds -- as well. This makes AHG's Second Life training systems uniquely
fit for "soft skills" training such as leadership, communications, sales, cultural and others.
In addition to robot avatars used in training and education, we create robots that
can be used in research, for example to study human interactions.
If you are interested in using robot avatars in your Second Life project, please, call (814)234-0900 or
contact us to discuss your project.
Second Life Concept Development 
Teamwork Simulations 
