The main goal of the XR_Skill project was to reinforce the ability of education and training institutions to provide high-quality training facing the challenges of the post-COVID era. The focus was on building the capacity to implement digital education and to develop and use high-quality digital content such as innovative online resources and tools, enrich curricula, and improve undergraduate and postgraduate students and psychologists' soft skills in the use of Virtual Reality for training and education. In addition, another aim was to create and promote "digital confidence", a new skill introduced through this project that focuses on the feeling of being able to manage technology and transfer it in other contexts. The project addressed these aims by developing educational materials on the use of VR in education as well as a VR-based game which were tested and validated by all partners through pilots. The positive results of the pilot implementation of the project methodology revealed an increase in teachers’ confidence reducing thus the negative emotional impact of COVID-19 and a general empowerment in using new technologies for soft skills training.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted educational systems and required new forms of adaptation in teacher education. So, the introduction of new didactics became necessary. VR can significantly improve the didactic (educational) experience and offer multiple cognitive and pedagogical benefits. The XR_Skills Project combined the digital environment with soft skills training directed to teachers and educators. This result was achieved through a VR-based training program directed to graduated psychologists, undergraduate and postgraduate students whose specialization consisted in skill training. They were introduced to a new way for upskilling and reskilling of workers which enhanced soft skills through the development of a VR technology tool. The project empowered educational staff, students, and trainers by enabling them to acquire relevant skills (digital confidence), increase their knowledge base, and stay abreast of technological advancements. It introduced the target groups with the tools to promote new ways for upskilling and reskilling fostering a culture of innovation and lifelong learning. This empowerment is envisaged to strengthen the capacity of VET and HEIs to drive innovation and meet evolving needs and challenges.