DESC:FIELD
[0001] Various embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to live virtual training. More specifically, various embodiments of the disclosure relate to conducting automated role plays during live virtual training.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Role Play is one of the well-established, often used and one of the most important methodologies utilized by trainers in a classroom to drive learning. This methodology assists the trainers to impart learning and transfer knowledge in an interactive and experiential manner. During Role Play participants either play scripted roles or view roles being played by their co-participants.
[0003] A role play activity may involve multiple steps, such as selecting role players through volunteering, manual selection, or random selection, briefing the role players and the rest of the participants regarding specific role scripts individually or collectively, role playing while being watched by rest of the participants without being interrupted or disturbed by them, swapping role players, replacing role players, observation and learning by the participants in groups, sharing of observations and learning by the participants and learning debrief by the trainer.
[0004] These complex interplay of multiple steps in a live environment is nearly impossible for trainers to conduct during virtual training. Conventional virtual training tools are incapable of facilitating performance of these actions in virtual classroom. The trainers presently may perform some of these steps using meeting tools in the name of role play that too is difficult, time consuming, and cumbersome. As a result, the trainers are unable to replicate role plays virtually, the way they were able to do in the classroom, which significantly impacts learning outcome. Role play being one of the most used methodologies for interactive and experiential learning in training, most trainers are unable to conduct role plays during virtual training due to the challenges involved.
[0005] In light of the foregoing, there exists a need for a technical and reliable solution that overcomes the above-mentioned problems, challenges, and short-comings, and continues to facilitate all the steps required to conduct a role play during a live virtual training environment.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a virtual training method is provided. The method includes receiving, by a server, a request to initiate a role play activity by a trainer device during a live training session and selecting, by the server, a plurality of role players from a plurality of participants based on a selection option selected on the trainer device. The selection option is one of: a random selection option, a volunteer option, and a manual selection option. The virtual training method further includes initiating, by the server, a role play brief session to share a plurality of role briefs to a plurality of participant devices corresponding to the plurality of role players based on a role play brief option selected on the trainer device and a type of role play and initiating, by the server, the role play activity by displaying a plurality of video feeds of the plurality of role players on a staging screen on a device of each participant of the plurality of participants. The role play brief option is one of: a written brief option and a verbal brief option. The type of role play is at least one of: a closed role play, an open role play, an instant verbal brief role play, pre-recorded role play, and forum theatre. The virtual training method further includes modifying, by the server, a set of parameters of the role play activity based on a modification option selected on the trainer device. The modification option is at least one of: a background change option, a swap role players option, a change role players option, and an initiate role play debrief option.
[0007] Additionally, or optionally, the virtual training method further includes receiving, by the server, a first plurality of configuration inputs from the trainer device before the live training session and configuring, by the server, the role play activity based on the received first plurality of configuration inputs. The first plurality of configuration inputs include at least one of: a title, the type of role play, a number of roles, respective role brief for each role, the selection option, the role play brief option, and the modification option, and a role play debrief option.
[0008] Additionally, or optionally, the virtual training method further includes receiving, by the server, a second plurality of configuration inputs from the trainer device during the live training session, and configuring, by the server, the role play activity based on the received second plurality of configuration inputs. The second plurality of configuration inputs include a number of roles players, the role play brief option, respective title and respective role brief for each role, and a role play debrief option.
[0009] Additionally, or optionally, the virtual training method further includes storing, by the server, a preconfigured role play activity and configuring, by the server, the role play activity based on the preconfigured role play activity.
[0010] Additionally, or optionally, when the random selection option is selected as the selection option, the virtual training method further includes randomly transmitting, by the server, a message including an accept option and a decline option to the plurality of participant devices corresponding to the plurality of role players randomly selected by the server and receiving, by the server, an indication regarding selection of the accept option on the plurality of participant devices by the plurality of role players. The plurality of role players are selected by the server in response to the received indication.
[0011] Additionally, or optionally, when the volunteer option is selected as the selection option, the virtual training method further includes transmitting, by the server, a message to volunteer for the role play activity to the device of each participant of the plurality of participants, receiving, by the server, an indication regarding acceptance to volunteer from the plurality of participant devices by the plurality of role players, and transmitting, by the server, an acknowledgement to the plurality of participant devices corresponding the plurality of role players to acknowledge selection for the role play activity. The plurality of role players are selected by the server in response to the received indication.
[0012] Additionally, or optionally, when the manual selection option is selected as the selection option, the virtual training method further includes receiving, by the server, an indication to select the plurality of role players for the role play activity from the trainer device based on selection of the plurality of role players by a trainer. The plurality of role players are selected by the server in response to the received indication.
[0013] Additionally, or optionally, the virtual training method further includes receiving, by the server, the plurality of role briefs of the plurality of role players from the trainer device before the live training session, and transmitting, by the server, the plurality of role briefs of the plurality of role players to the device of each participant of the plurality of participants.
[0014] Additionally, or optionally, the virtual training method further includes replacing, by the server when the modification option is the background change option, a first background of the plurality of video feeds by a second background based on a first input received from the trainer device and swapping, by the server when the modification option is the swap role players option, the plurality of role players such that a plurality of roles played by the plurality of role players are swapped among the plurality of role players. The virtual training method further includes changing, by the server when the modification option is the change role players option, the plurality of role players by selecting another plurality of role players from the plurality of participants based on the selection input and initiating, by the server when the modification option is the initiate role play debrief option, a roleplay debrief session.
[0015] Additionally, or optionally, the virtual training method further includes initiating, by the server, a role play debrief session to discuss and analyze the role play activity based on a role play debrief option selected on the trainer device when the role play activity is completed. The role play debrief option is one of: an open class interaction and a group presentation and interaction.
[0016] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a virtual training system is provided. The virtual training system includes circuitry configured to receive a request to initiate a role play activity by a trainer device during a live training session and select a plurality of role players from a plurality of participants based on a selection option selected on the trainer device. The selection option is one of: a random selection option, a volunteer option, and a manual selection option. The circuitry is further configured to initiate a role play brief session to share a plurality of role briefs to a plurality of participant devices corresponding to the plurality of role players based on a role play brief option selected on the trainer device and a type of role play and initiate the role play activity by displaying a plurality of video feeds of the plurality of role players on a staging screen on a device of each participant of the plurality of participants. The role play brief option is one of: a written brief option and a verbal brief option. The type of role play is at least one of: a closed role play, an open role play, an instant verbal brief role play, pre-recorded role play, and forum theatre. The circuitry is further configured to modify a set of parameters of the role play activity based on a modification option selected on the trainer device. The modification option is at least one of: a background change option, a swap role players option, a change role players option, and an initiate role play debrief option.
[0017] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a virtual training method and system that facilitate end-to-end administration of the role play activity and all the components of the role play activity that the trainer is unable to perform using existing virtual training or meeting tools. Further, all the steps of the role play activity that are performed automatically may be easily administered leading to higher efficiency and less time consumption, which the trainer had to do manually or partly automatically with the existing virtual training tools causing a lot of difficulty and waste of time. Additionally, the role play activity, the type of role play, and all the steps may be preconfigured for ‘one-click’ administration during live virtual training which the existing virtual training or meeting tools fail to do.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an environment for conducting automated role plays, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates a user interface rendered on a trainer device of the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates another user interface rendered on the trainer device, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0021] FIGS. 4A-4C are block diagrams that illustrate various user interfaces rendered on a participant device of the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates yet another user interface rendered on the trainer device, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a block diagram that illustrates a user interface rendered on the participant device, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0024] FIGS. 7A-7D, collectively, represent a flow chart that illustrates a virtual training method, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and
[0025] FIG. 8 is a block diagram that illustrates a system architecture of a computer system for live virtual training, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Example apparatus are described herein. Other example embodiments or features may further be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.
[0027] The example embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the drawings, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an environment 100 for live virtual training, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The environment 100 includes a trainer 102, a trainer device 104, participants 106a-106n, participant devices 108a-108n, a load balancer 110, an application server 112, a database server 114, a storage 116, and a media server 118.
[0029] The trainer 102 is an individual who trains the participants 106a-106n, through a live virtual training session. A computing device (e.g., the trainer device 104) may be utilized by the trainer (such as the trainer 102) for connecting to an online platform (e.g., the application server 112) and configuring the live virtual training in an online manner for training the participants 106a-106n.
[0030] The trainer device 104 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code, executable by the circuitry, that may be configured to perform one or more operations. For example, the trainer device 104 may be a computing device that is utilized, by the trainer 102, to initiate the one or more operations by means of a service application (associated with the training service provider and hosted by the application server 112) running on the trainer device 104. For example, the trainer device 104 may be utilized, by the trainer 104, to transmit a request to initiate a role play activity by utilizing the service application running on the trainer device 104 and provide configuration inputs to configure the role play activity based on the configuration inputs. The trainer device 104 may be further utilized, by the trainer 102, to select role players from the participants 106a-106n based on a selection option presented on a user interface rendered by the application server 112 on the trainer device 104, and initiate a role play brief session to share role briefs to participant devices corresponding to the selected role players based on a role brief option presented on the user interface rendered by the application server 112 on the trainer device 104. Additionally, the trainer device 104 may be utilized by the trainer 102, to modify a set of parameters of the role play activity based on a modification option presented on the user interface rendered by the application server 112 on the trainer device 104, and initiate a role play debrief session to discuss and analyze the role play activity based on a role play debrief option presented on the user interface rendered by the application server 112 on the trainer device 104. In an embodiment, the trainer device 104 (or the service application running on the trainer device 104) may be configured to transmit information, such as multiple configuration inputs, multiple role briefs, or the like, to the application server 112.
[0031] In an embodiment, the trainer device 104 may be utilized, by the trainer 102, to view one or more user interfaces (one at a time) rendered by the application server 112. The trainer 102 may interact with the one or more user interfaces to provide one or more inputs for initiating the one or more operations associated with the live virtual training session. For example, the trainer device 104 may be utilized, by the trainer 102, to provide an input to initiate the role play brief session, the role play activity, and the role play debrief session. The trainer device 104 may be utilized, by the trainer 102, to provide an input to select the selection option for selecting the role players. The selection option is one of: a random selection option, a volunteer option, and a manual selection option. Further, the role players may be selected randomly from amongst the participants 106a-106n based on the random selection option, the participants 106a-106n may be presented an option to volunteer for being the role players based on the volunteer option, and the role players may be selected manually by the trainer 102 from amongst the participants 106a-106n based on the manual selection option. Further, the trainer device 104 may be utilized, by the trainer 102, to modify the set of parameters, such as change background, swap role players, change role players, or the like, by utilizing the modification option rendered on the trainer device 104 by the application server 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the trainer device 104 may be a computing device, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop, or any other portable computing device.
[0032] The participants 106a-106n are individuals who may want to get trained by availing live virtual training offered by the training service provider. The training services may be availed, by the participants 106a-106n, by registering for the live virtual training. The registration may be initiated, by the participants 106a-106n, by utilizing computing devices such as the participant devices 108a-108n, respectively.
[0033] Each of the participant devices 108a-108n may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code, executable by the circuitry, that may be configured to perform one or more operations. For example, the participant device 108a may be a computing device that is utilized, by the participant 106a, to initiate the one or more operations by means of a service application (associated with the training service provider and hosted by the application server 112) running on the participant device 108a. For example, the participant device 108a may be utilized, by the participant 106a, to attend the live virtual training conducted by the trainer 102. To attend the live virtual training, a registration request may be initiated, by the participant 106a, by utilizing the service application running on the participant device 108a. The participant 106a may further utilize the participant device 108a to volunteer for the role play activity when the volunteer option is selected as the selection option by the trainer 102 on the trainer device 104. Furthermore, the participant 106a may further utilize the participant device 108a to accept or reject a request of being a role player when the selection option is a random selection option or a manual selection option. Various modes of input that may be utilized by the participant 106a to perform the aforementioned functions include, but are not limited to, a touch-based input, a text-based input, a voice-based input, a gesture-based input, or a combination thereof. Further, upon acceptance or indication of volunteering for the role play by the participant 106a, the participant device 108a may be configured to transmit participant information to the application server 112. In another embodiment, the service application (running on the participant device 108a) may be configured to transmit the participant information to the application server 112.
[0034] In an embodiment, the participant device 108a may be configured to receive from the application server 112, one or more user interfaces that allow the participant 106a to interact with one or more computing devices, servers, or applications for performing the one or more operations. The one or more user interfaces may be received in response to the registration request initiated by the participant 106a. Further, the participant device 108a may be utilized, by the participant 106a, to view the one or more user interfaces (one at a time) rendered by the application server 112. The participant 106a may interact with each user interface to provide one or more inputs for initiating the one or more operations associated with the registration request and the role play activity. For example, the participant device 108a may be utilized, by the participant 106a, to provide an input to volunteer for being a role player in the role play activity and accept or reject a request of being a role player.
[0035] In an embodiment, the participant device 108a may be configured to receive the role play briefs from the application server 112 during the role play brief session based on the type of role play. The participant device 108a may be further utilized, by the participant 106a, to view the role play briefs. Further, in an embodiment, the participant device 108a may be utilized, by the participant 106a during the live virtual training session, to control multiple components of the live training session, such as a mute button, a video button, or the like.
[0036] Various functionalities and operations of the participant device 108n may be similar to functionalities and operations of the participant device 108a as described above. Examples of the participant device 108a or 108n include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a laptop, a smartphone, and a tablet computer.
[0037] The load balancer 110 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code, executable by the circuitry, that may be configured to perform one or more operations for the live virtual training session. The load balancer 110 may be a computing device, which may include a software framework, that may be configured to handle and divert requests received from the participant devices 108a-108n and the trainer device 104 to an appropriate instance of the application server 112 based on a current load on the application server 112. The load balancer 110 may be realized through various web-based technologies, such as, but not limited to, a Node JS framework, a Java web-framework, a .NET framework, a PHP framework, a python framework, or any other web-application framework. Examples of the load balancer 110 include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a laptop, or a network of computer systems.
[0038] The application server 112 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code, executable by the circuitry, that may be configured to perform one or more operations for the live virtual training session. The application server 112 may be a computing device, which may include a software framework, that may be configured to create the application server implementation and perform the various operations associated with the live virtual training. The application server 112 may be realized through various web-based technologies, such as, but not limited to, a Node JS framework, a Java web-framework, a .NET framework, a PHP framework, a python framework, or any other web-application framework. Examples of the application server 112 include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a laptop, or a network of computer systems. In one embodiment, the application server 112 is implemented as multiple instances of the application server 112 for each trainer or participant and scalable as per requirement. For, example, the application server instances may be realized by Amazon Web Server EC2 instances.
[0039] In an embodiment, the application server 112 may be configured to process, control, and manage various functionalities and operations such as live virtual training session initiation and configuration, role player selection, role play brief session initiation, role play activity initiation, role play debrief initiation, and role play activity modification. For example, the application server 112 may be configured to receive configuration inputs from the trainer device 104 before the live training session. Based on the configuration inputs, the application server 112 may configure the role play activity to conduct an automated role play during live virtual training. The application server 112 may be configured to receive a request to initiate the role play activity by the trainer device 104 during the live training session. Further, the application server 112 may be configured to select the role players from the participants 106a-106n based on the selection option. The application server 112 may be further configured to receive the role play briefs for the role players to perform the role play activity, and initiate the role play brief session to share the role play briefs to the participant devices corresponding to the role players based on a role play brief option selected by the trainer 102 on the trainer device 104. Furthermore, the application server 112 is configured to initiate the role play activity by displaying video feeds of the role players on a staging screen on a device of each participant (such as the participant devices 108a-108n of the participants 106a-106n), and modify the set of parameters of the role play activity based on the modification option. In an embodiment, the application server 112 may be further configured to generate and render the one or more user interfaces on the trainer device 104 and the participant device 108a by means of the service application running on the participant device 108a. Various operations and functionalities of the application server 112 have been described in detail in conjunction with FIGS. 2-7.
[0040] The database server 114 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code, executable by the circuitry, that may be configured to perform one or more operations, such as receiving, storing, processing, and transmitting queries, data, or content. The database server 114 may be a data management and storage computing device that is communicatively coupled to the application server 112 to perform the one or more operations. In an exemplary embodiment, the database server 114 may be configured to manage and store historical training data of various virtual training sessions conducted by the trainer 104 and other trainers. The historical training data of each virtual training session may include data of different activities (such as the role play activity) conducted during such live virtual training sessions conducted in the past offered by the training service provider. In an exemplary embodiment, the historical training data of each virtual training session may include at least session titles, session durations, components or activities in each virtual training session. The database server 114 may be configured to receive the historical training data from the application server 112.
[0041] The database server 114 may be further configured to manage and store participant information of each participant (such as the participant 106a or 106n) and trainer information of each trainer (such as the trainer 102). The participant information of each participant may include at least a participant name, a participant contact number, or a participant account registered with the training service provider. Similarly, the trainer information of each driver may include at least a trainer name, a trainer contact number, or a trainer account registered with the training service provider. The trainer information of each trainer may further include a trainer device type and the participant information of each participant may include a participant device type.
[0042] In an embodiment, the database server 114 may be configured to generate a data structure including one or more rows and columns for storing the information of each virtual training session in a structured manner. For example, each row may be associated with a unique session identifier (ID) of each virtual training session, and one or more columns corresponding to each row may indicate the session title, the session duration, the session activities, or the like.
[0043] In an embodiment, the database server 114 may be configured to receive a query from the application server 112. The query may correspond to an encrypted message that is decoded by the database server 114 to determine a request for retrieving requisite information (such as the trainer information, the participant information, the historical training data, or any combination thereof). In response to the determined request, the database server 114 may be configured to retrieve and communicate the requested information to the application server 112. Examples of the database server 114 may include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a laptop, or a network of computer systems.
[0044] The storage 116 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code, executable by the circuitry, that may be configured to perform one or more operations, such as receiving, storing, processing, and transmitting queries, data, or content. The storage 116 may be a data management and storage computing device that is communicatively coupled to the trainer device 104, the participant devices 108a-108n, and the media server 118 to perform the one or more operations. In an exemplary embodiment, the storage 116 may be configured to manage and store the trainer information, the participant information, role play briefs, and video feeds of the trainer 102 and the participants 106a-106n. The storage 116 may be further configured to manage and store participant information of each participant (such as the participant 106a or 106n) and trainer information of each trainer (such as the trainer 102).
[0045] In an embodiment, the storage 116 may be configured to receive a query from the media server 118. The query may correspond to an encrypted message that is decoded by the storage 116 to determine a request for retrieving requisite information (such as the trainer information, the participant information, the role play briefs, the video feeds, or any combination thereof). In response to the determined request, the storage 116 may be configured to retrieve and communicate the requested information to the application server 112. Examples of the storage 116 may include, but are not limited to, a volatile storage, a non-volatile storage, or a network of storage systems.
[0046] The media server 118 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code, executable by the circuitry, that may be configured to perform one or more operations, such as receiving, storing, processing, and transmitting content such as the video feeds of the trainer 102 and the participants 106a-106n. The media server 118 may be a data management and storage computing device that is communicatively coupled to the storage 116 and the application server 112 to perform the one or more operations. In an exemplary embodiment, the media sever 118 may be configured to manage and store the video feeds of the trainer 102 and the participants 106a-106n. The media server 118 may be further configured to control the display of the video feeds of the trainer 102 and the participants 106a-106n on the participant devices 108a-108n and the trainer device 104.
[0047] In an embodiment, the media sever 118 may be configured to receive a query from the application server 112. The query may correspond to an encrypted message that is decoded by the media server 118 to determine a request for retrieving requisite information (such as the video feeds of the trainer 102 and the video feeds of the participants acting as role players, or any combination thereof). In response to the determined request, the media server 118 may be configured to retrieve and communicate the requested information to the application server 112. Examples of the media server 118 may include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a laptop, or a network of computer systems.
[0048] In operation, the application server 112 receives a scheduling request from the trainer device 104 to schedule a training program. Once the training program is scheduled by the trainer 102 by utilizing the trainer device 104, the application server 112 provides a session builder screen on the trainer device 104 to build a new session plan or edit an existing session plan for the live virtual training. The session builder screen includes a session plan template and multiple training activities to be selected for the live virtual training session. The application server 112 receives an indication form the trainer device 104 to add a segment in the session plan template and configure the segment. The segment is associated with a set of attributes including a segment title, a segment description, and a segment duration. The configuration of the segment includes insertion of the role play activity from training components associated with the live virtual training session to the session plan template. Upon insertion of the role play activity, the application server renders a user interface on the trainer device 104 presenting a role play template to configure the role play activity.
[0049] The role play template includes a role play title, a title display option, and a type of role play option. In one embodiment, the role play title is an alphanumeric field. The title display option is one of: “yes” and “no”, such that, when the title display option is selected as “yes”, the role play title is displayed on screens of the trainer device 104 and the participant devices 106a-106n during the live virtual training session, and when the title display option is selected as “no”, the role play title is not displayed on the screens of the trainer device 104 and the participant devices 106a-106n during the live virtual training session. The type of role play is at least one of: a closed role play, an open role play, an instant verbal brief role play, pre-recorded role play, and forum theatre. Based on the type of role play, the application server 112 renders different fields on the trainer device 104 to configure the role play activity. The trainer 102 may interact with the trainer device 104 to provide a first plurality of configuration inputs for the different fields for configuration of the role play activity before the live virtual training session. The first plurality of configuration inputs include at least one of: a title, the type of role play, a number of roles, respective role brief for each role, the selection option, the role play brief option, and the modification option, and a role play debrief option.
[0050] When the type of role play is one of: the closed role play, the open role play, and the instant verbal brief role play, the application server 112 renders at least one of: the number of roles, role names, option to attach role brief for each role, option to display the role names on the screens, the selection option, the role play brief option, and the role play debrief option on a user interface of the trainer device 104 for configuration of the role play activity. In one example, the number of role players may range between 1 to 10. In an embodiment, the configuration includes a set of advances settings such as option to include the trainer 102 as a role player, mute participants other than the role players during the role play activity, and allow the participants other than the role players to use a raise hand option.
[0051] When the type of role play is the pre-recorded role play, the application server 112 renders, on the trainer device 104, a list of pre-recorded videos of a role play activity conducted previously and stored in the database server 114. The trainer 102 selects, by way of the trainer device 104, at least one of a pre-recorded video of the role play activity. In one embodiment, the role players may or mayn’t be live participants such that the roleplay activity is recorded before the live virtual training session. The pre-recorded video of the role play activity is rendered by the application server 112 on the staging screen on the device of each participant (such as the participant devices 108a-108n of the participants 106a-106n). In one embodiment, the trainer 102 may select on the trainer device 104 more than one pre-recorded videos of more than one role play activities in the same segment to be rendered on the device of each participant. In another embodiment, on selection of the type of role play as pre-recorded role play, the application server 112 renders an upload option on the trainer device 104 that the trainer 102 may interact with to upload a pre-recorded video of a role play activity to be rendered on the device of each participant. After the pre-recorded video(s) of the role play activity are rendered on device of each participant, the application server 112 renders a re-enactment option on the trainer device 104 that is selectable by the trainer 102 to configure a re-enactment of the pre-recorded role play in the live virtual training session as the open role play or the closed role play. In an embodiment, the configuration includes a set of advanced settings such as mute participants during the role play activity and allow the participants to use a raise hand option to provide feedback during the display of the pre-recorded video. Once the configuration of the role play activity is completed, the role play activity appears as a segment in the session plan.
[0052] In one embodiment, the trainer 102 may not preconfigure the role play activity before the live virtual training session and needs to conduct the role play activity during the live virtual training session. In this embodiment, the trainer 102 may transmit a request to the application server 112 by way of the trainer device 104 to quick launch the role play activity. Upon receiving the quick launch request for the role play activity, the application server 112 renders a user interface on the trainer device 104 presenting a quick launch template to configure the role play activity.
[0053] The application server 112 renders different fields on the trainer device 104 to configure quick launch of the role play activity. The trainer 102 may interact with the trainer device 104 to provide a second plurality of configuration inputs for the different fields for configuration of quick launch of the role play activity during the live virtual training session. The second plurality of configuration inputs include a number of roles players, the role play brief option, respective title and respective role brief for each role, and a role play debrief option. Once the configuration of quick launch of the role play activity is completed, the role play activity appears as a segment in the session plan.
[0054] The application server 112 receives a request to initiate the role play activity by the trainer device 104 during the live training session. As a result, in one embodiment, when the trainer 102 pre-configures the role play activity, the application server 112 receives the first plurality of configuration inputs from the trainer device 104 before the live training session and configures the role play activity based on the received first plurality of configuration inputs. Further, in another embodiment, when the trainer 102 quick launches the role play activity, the application server 112 receives the second plurality of configuration inputs from the trainer device during the live training session and configures the role play activity based on the received second plurality of configuration inputs. In yet another embodiment, the application server stores a preconfigured role play activity in the database server 114 and configures the role play activity based on the preconfigured role play activity by retrieving the preconfigured role play activity from the database server 114. Once the role play activity is initiated, the application server 112 changes a session mode associated with the live training session from instructor or default mode to activity mode. The session mode associated with the live training session corresponds to a set of rules for operation of certain features during different segments of the live training session.
[0055] The application server 112 selects the role players from the participants 106a-106n based on the selection option selected on the trainer device 104. When the trainer 102 selects the selection option as the random selection option on the trainer device 104, the application server 112 may be further configured to randomly transmit a message including an accept option and a decline option on the corresponding participant devices of the participant devices 108a-108n that are to be selected as role players, and receive an indication regarding the selection of the accept option or the decline option by the corresponding participants of the participants 106a-106n. If the corresponding participants select the accept option by utilizing the corresponding participant devices, the application server 112 selects the corresponding participants as the role player. If the corresponding participants select the decline option by utilizing the corresponding participant devices, the application server 112 repeats the selection process for the next randomly selected participants to be the role players. The application server 112 renders a pop-up message on the participant devices of the participants that are selected as the role players to notify regarding selection. In one embodiment, during the quick launch of the role play activity the role players are selected amongst the participants 106a-106n based on the random selection option.
[0056] When the trainer 102 selects the selection option as the manual selection option on the trainer device 104, the application server 112 may be further configured to receive an indication to select the role players for the role play activity based on the selection of the role players by the trainer 102 on the trainer device 104. The application server 112 represents all the participants 106a-106n on the screen of the trainer device 104 for selection as role players and selects the role players as indicated by the trainer 102 on the trainer device 104. The application server 112 renders a pop-up message on the participant devices of the participants that are selected as the role players to notify regarding selection.
[0057] When the trainer 102 selects the selection option as the volunteer option on the trainer device 104, the application server 112 may be further configured to transmit a message to volunteer for the role play activity to the participant devices 108a-108n of the participants 106a-106n, and receive an indication regarding acceptance to volunteer from respective participant devices of the participants devices 108a-108n that correspond to the role players. In one embodiment, the participants are selected as role players on a first come, first served basis when the participants provide acceptance to volunteer for the role play activity. The application server 112 renders a pop-up message on the participant devices of the participants that are selected as the role players to notify regarding selection.
[0058] Upon selection of the role players for the role play activity, the application server 112 receives the role briefs of the role players from the trainer device 104 before the live training session and initiates a role play brief session to share the role briefs to the participant devices corresponding to the role players based on a role play brief option selected on the trainer device 104 and the type of role play. The role play brief option is one of: a written brief option and a verbal brief option. The application server 112 renders the video feeds of the trainer and the selected role players on the screens of the trainer device 104 and the participant devices of the role players. In one embodiment, the application server 112 displays a message (for example, “Role play setup in progress, Role players being briefed”) on the screens of the remaining participant devices other than the role players. In another embodiment, the application server 112 displays a brief icon on the remaining participant devices which may be selected by the remaining participants to read the role play briefs.
[0059] When the written brief option is selected as the role play brief option, the role play briefs uploaded by the trainer 102 on the trainer device 104 are shared with at least one of the role players and the remaining participants. In one embodiment, the role play briefs are common for all the role players and the remaining participants. In another embodiment, the role play briefs are separate for the role players and the remaining participants. The brief icon is displayed on the participant devices when the role play brief option is the written brief option.
[0060] When the verbal brief option is selected as the role play brief option, the application server 112 facilitates one of: a private audio-video chat between the trainer 102 and the role players one-by-one or simultaneously, and an audio-video chat between the trainer 102 and all the participants 106a-106n. A multi-chat icon is displayed on the participant devices when the role play brief option is the verbal brief option to enter into a private audio-video chat with the trainer 102.
[0061] When the role briefs are to be shared with all the participants 106a-106n, the application server 112 transmits the role briefs of the role players to the participant devices 108a-108n of each participant of the participants 106a-106n. After the role play brief session, the application server 112 initiates the role play activity by displaying the video feeds of the role players on a staging screen on a device (i.e., the participant devices 108a-108n) of each participant of the participants 106a-106n. The staging screen is a center area of the screen on each device that is in focus during the role play activity.
[0062] In one embodiment, the application server 112 transmits a pop-up message on the trainer device 104 to set a countdown time for the role play activity. When the trainer 102 wants to set the countdown timer for the role play activity, the trainer 102 interacts with the pop-up message on the trainer device 104 to indicate a time for the role play activity. The application server 112 receives the indicated time and sets the countdown timer accordingly. The application server 112 displays the countdown timer on the screens of the trainer device 104 and the participant devices 108a-108n during the live training session.
[0063] The application server 112 modifies the set of parameters of the role play activity based on the modification option selected on the trainer device 104 by the trainer 102 during the live role play. The modification option is at least one of: a background change option, a swap role players option, a change role players option, and an initiate role play debrief option. The application server 112 replaces, when the modification option is the background change option, a first background of the video feeds by a second background based on a first input received from the trainer device 104, and swaps, when the modification option is the swap role players option, the role players such that roles played by the role players are swapped among the role players. Further, the application server 112 changes, when the modification option is the change role players option, the role players by selecting different role players from the participants 106a-106n based on the selection option. In one embodiment, some of the role players are changed and the remaining role players are not changed. In another embodiment, all the role players are changed.
[0064] Further, the application server 112 initiates, when the modification option is the initiate role play debrief option, a roleplay debrief session. In one embodiment, once the role play activity is completed, the application server 112 transmits a pop-up message on the trainer device 104 to confirm start of the debrief session and receives a confirmation indication from the trainer device 104. On receiving the confirmation indication, the application server 112 initiates a role play debrief session to discuss and analyze the role play activity based on a debriefing option selected on the trainer device 104 when the role play activity is completed. The role play debrief option is one of: an open class interaction and a group presentation and interaction. When the open class interaction is selected as the role play debrief option, the trainer 102 is able to interact with all the participants. When the group presentation and interaction is selected as the role play debrief option, the trainer 102 groups all the participants by way of the trainer device 104 and each group discusses and presents the analysis of the role play activity. Once the debrief session is completed, the role play session is completed and the session mode associated with the live training session changes from activity mode to instructor mode. Various other functionalities and operations of the application server 112 have been described in detail in conjunction with FIGS. 2-7.
[0065] FIG. 2 is a block diagram 200 that illustrates a user interface 202 rendered on the trainer device 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The application server 112 may be configured to render the user interface 202 on the trainer device 104 of the trainer 102. The user interface 202 may present a role play template to configure a role play activity by the trainer 102 by way of the trainer device 104.
[0066] The user interface 202 may include multiple training components 204 such as the role play activity, a group discussion activity, a case study activity, a world café activity, an ice breaker activity, a trainers talk time, or the like. One of the training components, such as the role play activity, may be selected by the trainer 102 on the trainer device 102 to configure the training component. The user interface 202 may further include a text field 206, a radio button 208, a dropdown list 210, and an input field 212. The text field 206 is a text box where the trainer 102 may input the title of the role play activity. The radio button 208 may be a “yes” or “no” option that is selectable by the trainer 102 to control display of the role play title on the screens of the trainer device 104 and the participant devices 108a-108n. The dropdown list 210 may be a list of the type of role play that is selectable by the trainer 102 to select the type of role play for the live training session. The input field 212 may be a numerical input box where the trainer 102 may provide input for the number of roles.
[0067] FIG. 3 is a block diagram 300 that illustrates another user interface 302 rendered on the trainer device 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The application server 112 may be configured to render the user interface 302 on the trainer device 104 of the trainer 102, when the trainer 102 initiates the live training session. The user interface 302 may present a staging screen 304, a session plan 306, a participant list 308, and a control panel 310.
[0068] The staging screen 304 is a center area of the screen of the trainer device 104 that displays the content in focus associated with the live training session. For example, the staging screen 304 displays the video feed of the trainer 102 before start of the role play activity. The session plan 306 includes a detailed schedule of the live training session. The session plan 306 displays all the segments of the virtual training session, for example, a role play segment and a case study segment as shown in FIG. 3, along with respective session titles, session descriptions, and session durations. The session plan includes an option 312 to launch the role play activity. The participant list 308 includes information along with the video feeds of all the participants 106a-106n. The control panel 310 includes multiple options to control the live training session. The user interface 302 may further include a session mode indicator 314 that indicates the session mode, such as instructor mode, associated with the live training session.
[0069] FIGS. 4A-4C are block diagrams 400a-400c that illustrate various user interfaces 402a-402c rendered on the participant device 108a, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The application server 112 may be configured to render the user interfaces 402a-402c on the participant device 108a of the participant 106a, to select the role players from amongst the participants 106a-106n.
[0070] When the volunteer option is selected as the selection option, the application server 112 renders the user interface 402a on the participant device 108a. The user interface 402a may include a first pop-up message 404a to notify the participant 106a to volunteer to be a role player for the role play activity. The user interface 402a may further include an option 406 that may be an confirm option that is selectable by the participant 106a to volunteer as a role player for the role play activity.
[0071] When the random selection option is selected as the selection option, the application server 112 renders the user interface 402b on the participant device 108a. The user interface 402b may include a second pop-up message 404b to notify the participant 106a that the participant 106a has been select as one of the role players for the role play activity. The user interface 402b may further include a first option 408 and a second option 410. The first option 408 may be a confirm option that is selectable by the participant 106a to confirm as a role player for the role play activity. The second option 410 may be a decline option that is selectable by the participant 106a to decline as a role player for the role play activity.
[0072] When the manual selection option is selected as the selection option, the application server 112 renders the user interface 402c on the participant device 108a. The user interface 402c may include a third pop-up message 404c to notify the participant 106a that the participant 106a is selected as one of the role players by the trainer 102 for the role play activity. The user interface 402c may further include an option 412 that may be an confirm option that is selectable by the participant 106a to confirm as a role player for the role play activity.
[0073] FIG. 5 is a block diagram 500 that illustrates yet another user interface 502 rendered on the trainer device 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The application server 112 may be configured to render the user interface 502 on the trainer device 104 of the trainer 102, when the role play activity is initiated during the live training session. The user interface 502 may present a staging screen 504, a session plan 506, a participant list 508, and a control panel 510.
[0074] The staging screen 504 is a center area of the screen of the trainer device 104 that displays the content in focus associated with the live training session. For example, the staging screen 504 displays the video feeds of the trainer 102 and the role players during the role play activity. The session plan 506 includes the detailed schedule of the live training session. The session plan includes an option 512 to indicate completion of the role play activity. The participant list 508 includes information along with the video feeds of all the participants 106a-106n except the participants selected as role players. The control panel 510 includes multiple options to control the live training session. The user interface 502 may further include a session mode indicator 514 that indicates the session mode, such as activity mode, associated with the live training session. The user interface 502 may further include a modification panel 516 that includes the modification option, such as the background change option, the swap role players option, the change role players option, and the initiate role play debrief option.
[0075] FIG. 6 is a block diagram 600 that illustrates a user interface 602 rendered on the participant device 108a, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The application server 112 may be configured to render the user interface 602 on the participant device 108a of the participant 106a, when the role play activity is initiated during the live training session. The user interface 602 may present a staging screen 604 and a control panel 606.
[0076] The staging screen 604 is a center area of the screen of the participant device 108a that displays the content in focus associated with the live training session. For example, the staging screen 604 displays the video feeds of the role players during the role play activity. The control panel 606 includes multiple options to control the live training session.
[0077] FIGS. 7A-7D, collectively, represent a flow chart 700 that illustrates a virtual training method, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
[0078] The virtual training method is initiated at step 702 when the role play activity is preconfigured before the live training session, at step 706 when the role play activity is quick launched during the live training session, and at step 710 when the role play activity is conducted based on a preconfigured existing role play activity. At step 702, the first plurality of configuration inputs are received from the trainer device 104 before the live training session. At step 704, the role play activity is configured based on the received first plurality of configuration inputs. At step 706, the second plurality of configuration inputs are received from the trainer device during the live training session. At step 708, the role play activity is configured based on the received second plurality of configuration inputs. At step 710, the preconfigured role play activity is stored in the database server 114 by the application server 112. At step 712, the role play activity is configured based on the preconfigured role play activity. After steps 704, 708, and 712, step 714 is performed.
[0079] At step 714, a request to initiate the role play activity is received from the trainer device 104 during the live training session. At step 716, the role players are selected from the participants 116a-116n based on the selection option selected on the trainer device 104.
[0080] At step 718, determine whether the random selection option is selected as the selection option. If at step 718, it is determined that the random selection option is selected as the selection option, step 720 is performed. At step 720, a message including an accept option and a decline option is randomly transmitted to the participant devices corresponding to the role players randomly selected by the application server 112. At step 722, an indication regarding selection of the accept option on the participant devices by the role players is received.
[0081] If at step 718, it is determined that the random selection option is not selected as the selection option, step 724 is performed. At step 724, determine whether the manual selection option is selected as the selection option. If at step 724, it is determined that the manual selection option is selected as the selection option, step 726 is performed. At step 726, an indication to select the role players for the role play activity from the trainer device 104 based on selection of the role players by the trainer 102.
[0082] If at step 724, it is determined that the manual selection option is not selected as the selection option, step 728 is performed. At step 728, determine whether the volunteer option is selected as the selection option. If at step 728, it is determined that the volunteer option is not selected as the selection option, step 718 is performed. If at step 728, it is determined that the volunteer option is selected as the selection option, step 730 is performed. At step 730, a message to volunteer for the role play activity is transmitted to the device of each participant of the participants 106a-106n. At step 732, an indication regarding acceptance to volunteer from the participant devices by the role players is received. At step 734, an acknowledgement to the participant devices corresponding the role players is transmitted to acknowledge selection for the role play activity.
[0083] After steps 722, 726, 734, step 736 is performed. At step 736, the role briefs of the role players are received from the trainer device 104 before the live training session. At step 738, the role play brief session is initiated to share the role briefs to the participant devices corresponding to the role players based on the role play brief option selected on the trainer device 104 and the type of role play. At step 740, the role briefs of the role players are transmitted to the device of each participant of the participants 106a-106n.
[0084] At step 742, the role play activity is initiated by displaying the video feeds of the role players on the staging screen on a device of each participant of the participants 106a-106n. At step 744, the set of parameters of the role play activity are modified based on the modification option selected on the trainer device 104. At step 746, the role play debrief session is initiated to discuss and analyze the role play activity based on the role play debrief option selected on the trainer device 104 when the role play activity is completed.
[0085] FIG. 8 is a block diagram that illustrates a system architecture of a computer system 800 for live virtual training, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. An embodiment of the disclosure, or portions thereof, may be implemented as computer readable code on the computer system 800. In one example, the application server 112 and the database server 114 of FIG. 1 may be implemented in the computer system 800 using hardware, software, firmware, non-transitory computer readable media having instructions stored thereon, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. Hardware, software, or any combination thereof may embody modules and components used to implement the virtual training method of FIGS. 7A-7D.
[0086] The computer system 800 may include a processor 802 that may be a special purpose or a general-purpose processing device. The processor 802 may be a single processor, multiple processors, or combinations thereof. The processor 802 may have one or more processor “cores.” Further, the processor 802 may be connected to a communication infrastructure 804, such as a bus, a bridge, a message queue, multi-core message-passing scheme, or the like. The computer system 800 may further include a main memory 806 and a secondary memory 808. Examples of the main memory 806 may include RAM, ROM, and the like. The secondary memory 808 may include a hard disk drive or a removable storage drive (not shown), such as a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disc, an optical disk drive, a flash memory, or the like. Further, the removable storage drive may read from and/or write to a removable storage device in a manner known in the art. In an embodiment, the removable storage unit may be a non-transitory computer readable recording media
[0087] The computer system 800 may further include an input/output (I/O) port 810 and a communication interface 812. The I/O port 810 may include various input and output devices that are configured to communicate with the processor 802. Examples of the input devices may include a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touchscreen, a microphone, and the like. Examples of the output devices may include a display screen, a speaker, headphones, and the like. The communication interface 812 may be configured to allow data to be transferred between the computer system 800 and various devices that are communicatively coupled to the computer system 800. Examples of the communication interface 812 may include a modem, a network interface, i.e., an Ethernet card, a communication port, and the like. Data transferred via the communication interface 812 may be signals, such as electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. The signals may travel via a communications channel which may be configured to transmit the signals to the various devices that are communicatively coupled to the computer system 800. Examples of the communication channel may include a wired, wireless, and/or optical medium such as cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, a radio frequency link, and the like. The main memory 806 and the secondary memory 808 may refer to non-transitory computer readable mediums that may provide data that enables the computer system 800 to implement the virtual training method illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7D.
[0088] The disclosed embodiments encompass numerous advantages. The disclosure provides various methods and systems for conducting automated role plays during live virtual training. The disclosed virtual training methods and systems may facilitate end-to-end administration of the role play activity and all the components of the role play activity that the trainer is unable to perform using existing virtual training or meeting tools. Further, all the steps of the role play activity that are performed automatically may be easily administered leading to higher efficiency and less time consumption, which the trainer 102 had to do manually or partly automatically with the existing virtual training tools causing a lot of difficulty and waste of time. Additionally, the role play activity, the type of role play, and all the steps may be preconfigured for ‘one-click’ administration during live virtual training which the existing virtual training or meeting tools fail to do.
[0089] A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments and exemplary scenarios of the disclosed subject matter may be practiced with various computer system configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, computers linked or clustered with distributed functions, as well as pervasive or miniature computers that may be embedded into virtually any device. Further, the operations may be described as a sequential process, however some of the operations may in fact be performed in parallel, concurrently, and/or in a distributed environment, and with program code stored locally or remotely for access by single or multiprocessor machines. In addition, in some embodiments, the order of operations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the disclosed subject matter.
[0090] Techniques consistent with the disclosure provide, among other features, systems and methods for conducting automated role plays during live virtual training. While various embodiments of the disclosed virtual training systems and methods have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented for purposes of example only, and not limitations. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practicing of the disclosure, without departing from the breadth or scope.
[0091] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as described in the claims. Further, unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements.
[0092] The various illustrative logical blocks and modules described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed by a machine, such as a processor. A processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be a controller, microcontroller, or state machine, combinations of the same, or the like. A processor can include electrical circuitry configured to process computer-executable instructions. In another embodiment, a processor includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable device that performs logic operations without processing computer-executable instructions. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Although described herein primarily with respect to digital technology, a processor may also include primarily analog components. For example, some or all of the signal processing algorithms described herein may be implemented in analog circuitry or mixed analog and digital circuitry. A computing environment can include any type of computer system, including, but not limited to, a computer system based on a microprocessor, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, a portable computing device, a device controller, or a computational engine within an appliance, to name a few.
[0093] Conditional language such as, among others, "can," "could," "might" or "may," unless specifically stated otherwise, are otherwise understood within the context as used in general to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
[0094] Disjunctive language such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y, or Z," unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.
[0095] Any process descriptions, elements or blocks in the flow diagrams described herein and/or depicted in the attached figures should be understood as potentially representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or elements in the process. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of the embodiments described herein in which elements or functions may be deleted, executed out of order from that shown, or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved as would be understood by those skilled in the art.
[0096] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.).
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM,

1. A virtual training method, comprising:
receiving, by a server, a request to initiate a role play activity by a trainer device during a live training session;
selecting, by the server, a plurality of role players from a plurality of participants based on a selection option selected on the trainer device;
initiating, by the server, a role play brief session to share a plurality of role briefs to a plurality of participant devices corresponding to the plurality of role players based on a role play brief option selected on the trainer device and a type of role play;
initiating, by the server, the role play activity by displaying a plurality of video feeds of the plurality of role players on a staging screen on a device of each participant of the plurality of participants; and
modifying, by the server, a set of parameters of the role play activity based on a modification option selected on the trainer device, wherein:
the selection option is one of: a random selection option, a volunteer option, and a manual selection option,
the role play brief option is one of: a written brief option and a verbal brief option,
the type of role play is at least one of: a closed role play, an open role play, an instant verbal brief role play, pre-recorded role play, and forum theatre, and
the modification option is at least one of: a background change option, a swap role players option, a change role players option, and an initiate role play debrief option.

2. The virtual training method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by the server, a first plurality of configuration inputs from the trainer device before the live training session; and
configuring, by the server, the role play activity based on the received first plurality of configuration inputs, wherein:
the first plurality of configuration inputs include at least one of: a title, the type of role play, a number of roles, respective role brief for each role, the selection option, the role play brief option, and the modification option, and a role play debrief option.

3. The virtual training method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by the server, a second plurality of configuration inputs from the trainer device during the live training session; and
configuring, by the server, the role play activity based on the received second plurality of configuration inputs, wherein:
the second plurality of configuration inputs include a number of roles players, the role play brief option, respective title and respective role brief for each role, and a role play debrief option.

4. The virtual training method of claim 1, further comprising:
storing, by the server, a preconfigured role play activity; and
configuring, by the server, the role play activity based on the preconfigured role play activity.

5. The virtual training method of claim 1, wherein when the random selection option is selected as the selection option, the virtual training method further comprises:
randomly transmitting, by the server, a message including an accept option and a decline option to the plurality of participant devices corresponding to the plurality of role players randomly selected by the server; and
receiving, by the server, an indication regarding selection of the accept option on the plurality of participant devices by the plurality of role players, wherein the plurality of role players are selected by the server in response to the received indication.

6. The virtual training method of claim 1, wherein when the volunteer option is selected as the selection option, the virtual training method further comprises:
transmitting, by the server, a message to volunteer for the role play activity to the device of each participant of the plurality of participants;
receiving, by the server, an indication regarding acceptance to volunteer from the plurality of participant devices by the plurality of role players; and
transmitting, by the server, an acknowledgement to the plurality of participant devices corresponding the plurality of role players to acknowledge selection for the role play activity, wherein the plurality of role players are selected by the server in response to the received indication.

7. The virtual training method of claim 1, wherein when the manual selection option is selected as the selection option, the virtual training method further comprises:
receiving, by the server, an indication to select the plurality of role players for the role play activity from the trainer device based on selection of the plurality of role players by a trainer, wherein the plurality of role players are selected by the server in response to the received indication.

8. The virtual training method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by the server, the plurality of role briefs of the plurality of role players from the trainer device before the live training session; and
transmitting, by the server, the plurality of role briefs of the plurality of role players to the device of each participant of the plurality of participants.

9. The virtual training method of claim 1, further comprising:
replacing, by the server when the modification option is the background change option, a first background of the plurality of video feeds by a second background based on a first input received from the trainer device,
swapping, by the server when the modification option is the swap role players option, the plurality of role players such that a plurality of roles played by the plurality of role players are swapped among the plurality of role players,
changing, by the server when the modification option is the change role players option, the plurality of role players by selecting another plurality of role players from the plurality of participants based on the selection input, and
initiating, by the server when the modification option is the initiate role play debrief option, a roleplay debrief session.

10. The virtual training method of claim 1, further comprising:
initiating, by the server, a role play debrief session to discuss and analyze the role play activity based on a role play debrief option selected on the trainer device when the role play activity is completed, wherein the role play debrief option is one of: an open class interaction and a group presentation and interaction.

11. A virtual training system, comprising:
circuitry configured to:
receive a request to initiate a role play activity by a trainer device during a live training session;
select a plurality of role players from a plurality of participants based on a selection option selected on the trainer device;
initiate a role play brief session to share a plurality of role briefs to a plurality of participant devices corresponding to the plurality of role players based on a role play brief option selected on the trainer device and a type of role play;
initiate the role play activity by displaying a plurality of video feeds of the plurality of role players on a staging screen on a device of each participant of the plurality of participants; and
modify a set of parameters of the role play activity based on a modification option selected on the trainer device, wherein:
the selection option is one of: a random selection option, a volunteer option, and a manual selection option,
the role play brief option is one of: a written brief option and a verbal brief option,
the type of role play is at least one of: a closed role play, an open role play, an instant verbal brief role play, pre-recorded role play, and forum theatre, and
the modification option is at least one of: a background change option, a swap role players option, a change role players option, and an initiate role play debrief option.

12. The virtual training system of claim 11, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
receive a first plurality of configuration inputs from the trainer device before the live training session; and
configure the role play activity based on the received first plurality of configuration inputs, wherein:
the first plurality of configuration inputs include at least one of: a title, the type of role play, a number of roles, respective role brief for each role, the selection option, the role play brief option, and the modification option, and a role play debrief option.

13. The virtual training system of claim 11, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
receive a second plurality of configuration inputs from the trainer device during the live training session; and
configure the role play activity based on the received second plurality of configuration inputs, wherein:
the second plurality of configuration inputs include a number of roles players, the role play brief option, respective title and respective role brief for each role, and a role play debrief option.

14. The virtual training system of claim 11, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
store a preconfigured role play activity; and
configure the role play activity based on the preconfigured role play activity.

15. The virtual training system of claim 11, wherein when the random selection option is selected as the selection option, the circuitry is further configured to:
randomly transmit a message including an accept option and a decline option to the plurality of participant devices corresponding to the plurality of role players randomly selected by the circuitry; and
receive an indication regarding selection of the accept option on the plurality of participant devices by the plurality of role players, wherein the plurality of role players are selected by the circuitry in response to the received indication.

16. The virtual training system of claim 11, wherein when the volunteer option is selected as the selection option, the circuitry is further configured to:
transmit a message to volunteer for the role play activity to the device of each participant of the plurality of participants;
receive an indication regarding acceptance to volunteer from the plurality of participant devices by the plurality of role players; and
transmit an acknowledgement to the plurality of participant devices corresponding the plurality of role players to acknowledge selection for the role play activity, wherein the plurality of role players are selected by the circuitry in response to the received indication.

17. The virtual training system of claim 11, wherein when the manual selection option is selected as the selection option, the circuitry is further configured to:
receive an indication to select the plurality of role players for the role play activity from the trainer device based on selection of the plurality of role players by a trainer, wherein the plurality of role players are selected by the circuitry in response to the received indication.

18. The virtual training system of claim 11, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
receive the plurality of role briefs of the plurality of role players from the trainer device before the live training session; and
transmit the plurality of role briefs of the plurality of role players to the device of each participant of the plurality of participants.

19. The virtual training system of claim 11, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
replace, when the modification option is the background change option, a first background of the plurality of video feeds by a second background based on a first input received from the trainer device,
swap, when the modification option is the swap role players option, the plurality of role players such that a plurality of roles played by the plurality of role players are swapped among the plurality of role players,
change, when the modification option is the change role players option, the plurality of role players by selecting another plurality of role players from the plurality of participants based on the selection input, and
initiate, when the modification option is the initiate role play debrief option, a roleplay debrief session.

20. The virtual training system of claim 11, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
initiate a role play debrief session to discuss and analyze the role play activity based on a role play debrief option selected on the trainer device when the role play activity is completed, wherein the role play debrief option is one of: an open class interaction and a group presentation and interaction.

Dated this 16th day of July, 2023

CHIRAG TANNA
of INK IDÉE
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT
REGN. NO. IN/PA - 1785