Instruments For Immersive Studying: Rising L&D Tech
5 Immersive Learning Tools for Online Training
Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that immerses the learner in an alternative environment and gives them a sense of presence in that environment. Participants can learn, apply and deepen skills and knowledge through experiential interactivity. VR offers a comprehensive learning event and increases knowledge transfer with the help of real experience without risk. In other words, a well-designed VR experience makes the learner feel like they are elsewhere while remaining aware that they are still in a safe place. This gives the learner the freedom to practice, to fail, to try again, and to reflect on their learning experience. Let’s take a look at the various types of new technologies, including VR, that are specifically used to support immersive learning programs.
eBook release
Future of Work Guide: Why More Companies Are Discovering the Benefits of Immersive Learning
Discover how to charge your learning programs with cutting edge technology and take advantage of immersive learning!
Virtual reality
The adoption of VR at the consumer level has increased significantly, largely due to games and simulations. Due to the demand, vendors have invested in developing lower cost headsets, device management systems, content distribution platforms, etc., which is beneficial for businesses. In fact, technology providers are heavily invested in the success of organizations.
VR benefits
While there are many different types of VR experiences of varying degrees of complexity, there are some general benefits of learning VR:
- Reduced travel costs
- Employees spend less time outside of work
- Lower costs associated with securing classroom and equipment
- Reduced risk of dangerous tasks
- Provides reliable learning analysis
- Effective for training soft skills and task-oriented skills
- Learning is self-directed and asynchronous
- Creates more effective role play and business simulations
- Supports scenario-based learning and storytelling
- Promotes customer loyalty through emotional impact
A quick word about headset technology
The type of VR experience you choose will affect the type of headset you will need to purchase. There are many different manufacturers and types of headsets, with developments in the industry happening on a daily basis. There are also many different ways to host content and manage devices. For example, the ability to remotely manage, monitor, and update headsets can be extremely efficient instead of having to send a technician to different locations for updates and maintenance. These are some of the costs associated with headsets and your study partner can help you find the best option for your learning needs.
Would you like to know the main differences between 3DOF and 6DOF headset technology? Download the eBook The Future of Work Guide: Why More Businesses Are Discovering the Benefits of Immersive Learning for More Inside Out!
Business simulations
Support from leaders can help them gain insight and empathy with the needs of those under their leadership. Business simulations are experimental learning programs specifically designed for executive development and management training. They promote learning objectives that may include teaching key interactions and changing behavior to demonstrate competencies deemed essential to maximizing leadership strategies.
Much like video games are addictive and stimulating, simulations aid learning by encouraging engagement and keeping learners curious and interested. Simulations are immersive experiences that allow participants to better understand alternative points of view and see the world through another person’s eyes.
Think of the many role playing games that are incredibly popular. In them, the players lose themselves in experience, take on new personalities and get involved for hours. The development of business simulations with the same level of engagement and entertainment is accelerated by new technologies such as virtual reality. Learners immerse themselves in realistic simulations that stimulate their imagination, their memory and, above all, their will to learn.
Important learning objectives can be:
- Recognize unconscious prejudices
- Develop empathy
- Understand alternative perspectives
Gamification
We play games on our phones, tablets, and computers. As a result, many people find gambling exciting and fun. For example, consider the investment of time and energy it takes to take on the responsibility of an RPG or the arduous tasks of farm simulation. Some games seem like real work rather than actual work! However, players are drawn to work, enjoy the learning curve, and get fulfillment as they complete their assignments. The same game logic can be applied to skill training and team building activities.
Gamification can be as simple as using a leaderboard for course-level ratings or as complex as using 3D virtual environments with social collaboration. Assigning points, awarding badges, and labeling a leaderboard with achievements and incentives all help maintain a learner’s attention and focus. While gamification is fun to learn, it can also have other effects on learning:
- Promote engagement and motivation
- Improve team collaboration and communication skills
- Promote long-term loyalty
360 video
Also known as immersive video or spherical video, 360 videos offer an all-directional view that is recorded at the same time. They are recorded with an omnidirectional camera or a collection of cameras. This video is not a virtual reality, but an impressive imagery. The result is a simulation that feels realistic and anchors learners in an environment of your choice. For example, you can place learners in a simulated business environment such as a retail store, hotel lobby, or hospital waiting room. This level of precision and attention to detail gives learners the opportunity to continue their education in their actual work environment. This is an ideal choice to bring in new employees and help them get used to their new work environment.
In addition to the learning benefits of using 360 video, this technology can also be less expensive than creating 3D environments. After all, 360 video is more or less an image than what can be expected from a sophisticated video game landscape, and realism can be increased by incorporating live filmed actors and recorded sounds to fully convey the feeling of an authentic work environment.
expanded reality
Augmented Reality (AR) overlays concepts with the real world. For example, a print poster can be designed in such a way that it contains a QR code which, when scanned with a personal smartphone or an internet-enabled device, can generate interactive content or retrieve information in real time. Businesses can take advantage of the abundant mobile technology already in the workplace. The chances are very high that your employees have a smart device in their pocket. They are already digital professionals and understand how to navigate, search, zoom, what to call it.
Augmented Reality is most successful when important information needs to be provided at a specific moment or in a specific location. This can include data visualization, engineering models, mechanical guidance, and even surgery. AR leverages existing mobile technology to provide access to learning when and where learners need it. Better than simple, printed study aids, it’s incredibly engaging, fun, and relevant to learners. Take into account the benefit of being able to offer just-in-time learning to support employees in their daily tasks.
With their own devices, learners can:
- Take part in just-in-time learning in the workplace
- Use existing technology like smartphones to reduce costs
- Interact with objects in ways that are normally considered impossible in the real world
Want to learn more about the top immersive learning tools?
Download the eBook The Future of Work Guide: Why More Businesses Are Discovering the Benefits of Immersive Learning for tips and L&D strategies to start a comprehensive learning program for your remote workers.
