In May 2023, under the direction of Dr. Yam Kong, the social work team took a significant step forward in enhancing counselling education by incorporating 360° video technology into their training. By using immersive technology, social work students were provided with an innovative way to observe, analyze, and improve their counselling techniques.
Overview of the 360° Counselling Session
1. Recording the Counselling Session with a 360° Camera
The counselling session was recorded using a 360° camera strategically placed between the service user and the counsellor. This placement allowed the camera to capture not only the verbal interaction but also the body movements, non-verbal cues, and overall spatial dynamics of the session.
2. Playing the Footage in the CAVE
The recorded 360° footage was later played back in the CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment), an immersive, room-sized virtual environment that allowed students to view and interact with the session as though they were present in the room.
- Immersive Experience: The CAVE provided an almost lifelike experience, where students could “step into” the session and observe it from different angles, giving them a deeper understanding of the counselling dynamics.
- Exploration and Analysis: The technology enabled students to pause, zoom in, and explore various aspects of the session, such as the counsellor’s body language or the client’s reactions, in a way that traditional video recordings could not.
PolyU APSS CSD 