New Possibilities with VR with Gareth Walkom (LIVE #33)
Conversation with Gareth Walkom
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Conversation with Gareth Walkom (Live #33)Join us for a LIVE "Conversation" with Gareth Walkom, hosted by Uri Schneider —- TOPICS INCLUDE: - Early years and growing-up - Memorable experiences and influences life - UK, US and Belgium Similarities and differences - Virtual Reality (VR) in Real Life - VR and stuttering - Vision for the future BIO: Gareth Walkom BSc(Hons) MSc MBCS Gareth Walkom is originally from Basingstoke in the UK and now resides in the beautiful city of Ghent in Belgium. Gareth is a proud person who stutters and leads the way in utilizing how people who stutter and speech pathologists can benefit by using virtual reality as a tool. Working on this topic since 2015, Gareth studied for a bachelor’s degree in Digital Media Technology at Nottingham Trent University, using knowledge from the degree to create a VR application to be used in stuttering. He further developed this application by studying for a master’s degree in Medical Product Design, specializing in combining eye-tracking with VR. The new and improved application could measure eye behaviors such as blinks, eye closures, and fixations. The results indicated that VR could decrease anxiety levels and measure stuttering behaviors, such as those of the eyes. His research has shown that VR has enormous potential to be used as a tool in stuttering, where people who stutter can practice speaking in a safe, controllable place. Since then, Gareth’s work has been featured on the BBC, Independent, Guardian, various TV shows, and podcasts. In Gareth’s spare time, he enjoys attending and speaking at conferences, Belgian beer, and playing unicycle hockey. Facebook Live at @schneiderspeech If you miss it Live, see the playback on our blog of free resources (www.schneiderspeech.com/ourblog) --- Add your comments and questions below...
Posted by Schneider Speech on Thursday, November 26, 2020
“This software will allow them to practice speaking in a safe space.”
TOPICS INCLUDE
- Early years and growing-up
- Memorable experiences and influences life
- UK, US and Belgium Similarities and differences
- Virtual Reality (VR) in Real Life
- VR and stuttering
- Vision for the future
NOTES
Gareth delves into his difficulties of stuttering through his adolescent years.
Gareth illustrates how virtual reality is incorporated in the healthcare space (not only stuttering).
During his university days, Gareth was enrolled in a course that leads him to create a virtual reality and exposure therapy project for people who stuttered. He then decided to continue the research project with him to graduate school where he further honed his craft.
Gareth explores many ideas for technology and stuttering for the future— incorporating more than just sight and hearing when it comes to communication via a screen.
He brings up ways for the VR (virtual reality) experience to be integrated with consumerism.
Gareth shares the elements behind some of his software. For example, software to track the exact moment that someone shuts their eyes and the period of time the eye is shut for.
Gareth brings up ways the stuttering/mental health/ technology community can change and better advocate for those who don’t have a voice.
GUEST BIO
Gareth Walkom is originally from Basingstoke in the UK and now resides in the beautiful city of Ghent in Belgium. Gareth is a proud person who stutters and leads the way in utilizing how people who stutter and speech pathologists can benefit by using virtual reality as a tool. Working on this topic since 2015, Gareth studied for a bachelor’s degree in Digital Media Technology at Nottingham Trent University, using knowledge from the degree to create a VR application to be used in stuttering. He further developed this application by studying for a master’s degree in Medical Product Design, specializing in combining eye-tracking with VR. The new and improved application could measure eye behaviors such as blinks, eye closures, and fixations. The results indicated that VR could decrease anxiety levels and measure stuttering behaviors, such as those of the eyes. His research has shown that VR has enormous potential to be used as a tool in stuttering, where people who stutter can practice speaking in a safe, controllable place. Since then, Gareth’s work has been featured on the BBC, Independent, Guardian, various TV shows, and podcasts. In Gareth’s spare time, he enjoys attending and speaking at conferences, Belgian beer, and playing unicycle hockey.
Resources and Links
Gareth Walkom- Research Profile
Virtual Reality May Help Treat Speech Disorders and Social Anxiety Article
Speech Impediments + Virtual Reality (ft. Gareth Walkom) Podcast
HOST BIO
Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP passionately explores and develops practical ways for us to create our own success story. Delivering personalized experiences of communication care informed by leading professionals and influencers, Uri is re-imagining the next-level of speech-language therapy for people to benefit in real life.
Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech Pathology and faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.