The Future of Training and Education: Embracing Virtual Reality
Virtual reality (VR) technology is no longer restricted to the realms of gaming and entertainment. This immersive technology is making significant strides in diverse fields, with one of the most impactful being in the domain of training and education. Companies and educational institutions worldwide are harnessing the power of VR to transform their training paradigms, offering learners an engaging, interactive, and highly effective learning experience.
What is Virtual Reality Training?
Virtual Reality (VR) training provides an artificial, computer-generated environment that fully immerses the user in an experiential learning scenario. By wearing a VR headset, learners are transported to a new setting where they can explore, interact, and execute tasks as if they were in a real-world situation.
There are two primary types of VR settings:
1. 3DoF or Three Degrees of Freedom: Suitable for seated or stationary environments, as the viewpoint of the learners is fixed. Learners can interact with the environment via gaze control or a laser pointer controller, making it ideal for soft skills, branched learning, and clinical and operational training.
2. 6DoF or Six Degrees of Freedom: It offers a more comprehensive VR experience, allowing learners to move freely in the virtual environment. They can observe and interact with objects in the environment, providing a more realistic and engaging approach to learning.
Virtual Reality Training: A Revolution in Learning and Development
VR training brings an unprecedented level of interactivity to learning and development efforts. It creates a safe but realistic environment for learners to encounter true-to-life scenarios, practice skills, and make mistakes without facing real-world consequences. From technical skills to soft skills, VR training enables a wide range of learning opportunities that extend beyond traditional eLearning or classroom settings.
Scenario-Based Learning
VR training allows learners to engage in scenario-based learning, essentially placing them in real-life customer situations or work environments. It provides a realistic sense of various situations, enabling learners to make critical decisions and react appropriately.
Technical Skills Training
VR training is particularly effective for technical skills training. It can teach employees how to assemble products or complicated machinery by allowing them to interact with virtual recreations. It prompts learners to physically navigate the environment and, using handheld controllers, pick up virtual objects, push virtual buttons, and more.
Multi-Step Tasks
For tasks that involve multiple steps, such as troubleshooting products or repairing equipment, VR can outline the steps and guide learners through the problem-solving process.
Onboarding
VR can be an excellent tool for onboarding new employees. It can show them the ins and outs of the business, the shop floor, the process, and more, all from their training room.
Simulations
Simulations are one of the most common applications of VR training. Fields like military, aviation, and law enforcement use VR simulations for training, allowing learners to react to hazardous situations without actual danger.
Embracing VR Training in the Workplace
The adoption of VR in the workplace for training purposes is becoming increasingly popular. Several industries have found VR to be a powerful tool for training their workforce, from automotive companies training their employees for safety, to healthcare professionals being trained for complex surgeries, to construction workers learning how to operate machinery safely.
The healthcare sector, for instance, has leveraged VR for training professionals in performing intricate surgeries, thereby reducing the risk to patients. Similarly, in the construction industry, VR training has enabled workers to train in a risk-free environment, learn how to operate heavy machinery, and adhere to safety protocols.
The Impact of VR on Soft Skills and DE&I Training
One of the less obvious but highly impactful applications of VR training lies in the realm of soft skills development and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) training. VR has the unique ability to simulate real-life scenarios, complete with facial expressions and body language, which can help employees develop and practice soft skills such as active listening, conflict resolution, and negotiation.
Moreover, VR can simulate situations that expose learners to diverse perspectives, thereby fostering empathy and cultural competence. This can be particularly effective in DE&I training, where learners can experience firsthand the challenges that diverse employees or job candidates face.
Implementing VR Training: What to Consider
While VR training offers numerous benefits, it’s essential to consider certain factors when implementing it in your training program. Here are a few tips to maximize the benefits of VR training.
Ensure Ample Physical Space
VR users often move around or stride in the virtual environment, ignoring their physical surroundings. To ensure safety, make sure your training room is spacious and safe for VR explorers.
Supervise and Moderate VR Use
Research suggests that VR should be used moderately and under close supervision in training settings. Limiting VR sessions to a couple of minutes as part of a longer lesson plan can address potential issues related to physical discomfort or disorientation.
Know When to Use VR
While VR can bring academic subjects to life, it can’t replace human interaction. VR is best used as a supplemental learning tool, especially for topics that are visual and tactile.
Develop a Plan for VR Learning
Having a structured plan for VR learning is crucial to maximize its use within lesson plans. Determine goals and expectations for learners and set guidelines to ensure optimal learning experiences.
Advantages and Disadvantages of VR Training
Like any technology, VR training comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
Safe Learning Environment: VR provides a risk-free environment for learners to practice skills without affecting real-world operations.
Engaging and Exciting: VR training generates a buzz and gets people excited to participate in the training program.
Adaptable: VR is accessible to all employees, regardless of their physical ability, location, or language.
Disadvantages:
Physical Side Effects: Some users might experience headaches, nausea, or eye strain from using VR.
Technology Development: As VR technology continues to evolve, organizations might need to update their VR training programs to stay current.
High-Cost: The initial setup cost for VR training systems can be higher than traditional training methods.
Virtual Reality Training: The Future of Learning and Development
As VR technology continues to evolve, its applications in training and education are set to expand. The immersive experience it provides, coupled with the ability to simulate real-world scenarios, makes VR a powerful tool in the learning and development field. Whether it’s for technical skills training, soft skills development, or onboarding, VR training is set to revolutionize the way we learn and develop our skills in the workplace.