VRIDOM

The Culture Shock and Language barrier are the root causes of the major problem the migrant workers currently face. The barrier of language and culture increase the risk of exploitation, violence, and having low bargaining power.

The diplomacy attempted by the government is only limited to the application moratorium and the provision of violence report. However, this diplomacy is not a preventive action in reducing the on-going exploitation and violence happening out of the radar. The conventional training so far also lacks in terms of cost-efficiency (expensive to provide training prototypes), time (the absence of personal approach for each trainee) and pedagogical technique (the absence of experiential learnixng).

The objectives of this research and development are the following:

a) designing VRIDOM;

b) explaining the concept of VRIDOM in reducing Culture Shock and Language barrier.

VRIDOM is a training media app based on Virtual Reality (VR) that can either be combined with the existing conventional training to apply blended learning or be used individually. VRIDOM utilizes VR technology using smartphone and VR glass, like Google Cardboard. VRIDOM works by virtualizing the workplace environment in a destination country. The visualization is in 3D with 360-degree vision. The VRIDOM mainly comprised of a variety of interaction with domestic job scenario and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

There are four menus in VRIDOM, namely Needs Analysis, Pre-Test, Virtual World and Feedbacks.

The first time users open the VRIDOM, they will be directed to the Needs Analysis menu to determine the type of domestic job and country destination. Country and job choice will configure VRIDOM content, including AI’s English dialect (Example: Singlish), ethical norms and the myriad of virtual activities. Then, the user will be directed to the Pre-Test which contains a measurement of English proficiency starting point and the knowledge about the socio-culture contion in the destination country. The pre-test results will be displayed in the form of levels starting from level A1 to B2 which indicate the degree of language competency.

After inputting the Needs Analysis and Pre-Test menus, the users will be directed to the main menu--Virtual World. Inside Virtual World, the users can get the exposure of authentic experience of norms and language similarized to the destination country environment. The authentic experience can also be derived from the virtualization of interactive digital prototypes, including but not limited to: basic medical kits and electronic devices (e.g. automatic wash machine). In reducing the interaction barrier, VRIDOM provides Voice recognition to recognize certain speech dialects. The interaction will be more complex if the users passing the higher level. The levelling process refers to the Common European Framework of Reference and National Workplace Competencies Standard.

After navigating the Virtual World of VRIDOM, users can visit the feedback page that functions to

1) show the “wall of fame” which acts as a public ranking of all users accomplishments at the regional scope;

2) discover the training progress chart daily.

All data displayed in the Feedback menu can be a reference for the tutor to understand the learning characteristics of each the migrant worker candidate (CTKI) and provide a specific training approach for the individual. The set of features VRIDOM provides such as data analytics-based feedback or voice recognition interaction will create authentic experiential learning to improve the training effectiveness and eventually reduce culture shock and language barrier effectively.