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Innovative Avatar program Enhances Education for Social Work Students

Students in the Social Work Associate of Arts (A.A.) Program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College are utilizing a unique avatar system to aid with degree progress and real-world skills.

The avatar, known as Mika, gives students the ability to practice interview skills and fill out proper forms while they complete application assignments in courses within the Social Work program.

Mika is built with the background of a person struggling with both in school and out of school issues, as it responds to open-ended questions with a recorded voice and gives students feedback while progressing through interviews.

“The avatar is a great way to enhance interviewing skills through application,” stated Yvette Madison, Professor of Social Work. “It gives students additional resources to help them gain experience as they progress through the program. They have been very receptive to the avatar and have given a lot of positive feedback.”

The avatar was developed alongside Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) and was highlighted in a CTC display at the local Showcase of Commerce in 2022.

As Penn Highlands collaborates with its own Computer Information Technology students, the College is also exploring ways to enrich the storyline centered around the avatar, Mika. This includes the potential addition of a secondary storyline or the introduction of another avatar to complement Mika’s journey.

Learn more about the College’s Social Work associate degree program.