Exploring Stress in Effective Communication: A Psycho-Cognitive and Technological Approach
Vanesa Dimitrova-Spiridonova, Faraón Llorens-Largo, and Alberto Real-Fernández
University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain

Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality (TEEM 2024)
23-25 October 2024
Alicante, Spain
2024.teemconference.eu

Proceedings
Lecture Notes in Educational Technology

Abstract.
Effective communication is crucial in all areas of life, especially in high-pressure situations such as public presentations. This study focuses on how stress affects people who present in front of audiences, compromising their accuracy and fluency. By combining cognitive psychology and the Internet of Things (IoT), IoT devices have been used to measure and visualize stress in real time. An experiment was conducted with fourth-year Multimedia Engineering students at the University of Alicante, who presented their academic projects. During these presentations, physiological data such as heart rate, breath rate, and stress levels were collected using IoT devices. The data collected demonstrated that these devices can effectively measure variables related to stress. Additionally, a web interface was developed to visualize the collected data, making it easier to interpret. This tool can be useful for specialists analyzing similar data or for teachers aiming to help their students improve their communication skills by identifying high-stress moments and developing strategies to enhance their presentation experience.

Keywords:
stress, effective communication, Internet of Things, cognitive psychology.