Presentation skills that involve public speaking are an asset that many recognize to be important for their careers or during their study. One way to learn how to maintain eye contact and address clearly as a speaker is to use virtual audiences (VA) that simulate the reactions of a live public. A mixed-methods exploratory study has been conducted to conceptualize the design of such a VA. The purpose was to research how the nonverbal cues of live audiences vary depending on a speaker's gaze patterns (gazing towards the audience vs. gazing towards the presentation slides or notes) and vocal loudness (low vs. normal). 36 students (listeners) were videotaped during a public speaking situation. The analysis shows that the speaker's gaze patterns and vocal loudness influenced several nonverbal cues the audience displayed. The results could be implemented in the design of VAs by making them responsive in real time to variations in gazing patterns and voice loudness of the speakers (trainees).

Virtual reality (VR) applications for fear of public speaking pose several design challenges with regard to the adaptability of the scenarios to the training/treatment requirements of each person. The present study focuses on three major aspects identified in literature that would help customize the virtual audience for fear of public speaking applications: interaction, group dynamics, and personalization. Eight experts from VR-related fields of study have been interviewed to share the expertise on how to achieve and implement these aspects.