Using Virtual Reality In Corporate Training To Transform Your eLearning Experience
With technological advancement, the scope of corporate training has enhanced. From print media to the internet, we can see information becoming richer and easier to access. Virtual Reality, a sophisticated technology that uses realistic images, audios, and other senses to simulate a real environment, is an elite technology which has contributed towards a vast change in the learning system. The environment experienced when using Virtual Reality is simulated, but the learning impact is real.
Virtual Reality (VR) is defined as a highly collaborative 3D program in a multimedia environment that imparts an immersion effect to the users. It allows humans to interact with computer graphics environment that replicate the real world. The impact of VR is increasing exponentially in varied fields as it offers major improvement. Learners are fully engaged with interactive eLearning solutions, making the learning experience more entertaining.
Case Studies On Using Virtual Reality In eLearning
The first mobile Virtual Reality introduced was in the form of head-mounted device meant to serve specific purpose. However, it was not accessible by common man, until recently, with the availability of cost-effective VR headsets such as Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and others that can be incorporated with smartphones and other mobile devices. Let us discuss few scenarios associated where Virtual Reality is implemented in eLearning courses:
- VR is useful to train workforce who face challenging and physically dangerous tasks. For instance, flight simulators are used to train pilots and delivering the virtual experience of flying an aircraft before doing it in real. This helps to reduce risks involved, thereby decreasing the costs associated to training and infrastructure.
- If learners are aware of immersion level of VR, then taking up eLearning courses can be completely fun for them. It is highly applicable in modern learning environment, where three-dimensional effect and higher interaction level is involved. For instance, training videos are transformed into VR supported content, attracting more learners and motivating them to enroll for courses time and again.
- With the use of compatible virtual reality gadgets, an entirely new and interactive world is created to train employees who work in risky work environments. They refine their skills to deal with hazardous wastes or work at accident-prone construction sites, thus avoiding injuries and mitigating risks involved.
3 Benefits Of Using Virtual Reality In Corporate Training
Today, new age learners are confronted with VR before they can implement their knowledge and skills at workplace. With VR, learners retain far more of what they experience in such sessions, rather than reading or hearing in a traditional classroom environment. With emergence of VR experience, learners are less distracted, resulting in more effectual learning. In addition, few benefits of using Virtual Reality are listed here:
1. Safe
As discussed, Virtual Reality for workplace training is important particularly where employees need to handle physically challenged tasks or work in dangerous environment. In addition to flight simulation training, even pharmaceutical industry avails the benefits of VR where doctors can practice using simulators to prevent medical accidents.
2. Cost-Effective
There are many training courses that involve actual use of learning resources. But, sometimes it happens that resources are limited or expensive to buy in huge amounts. In such scenarios, the use of VR comes into place when modeling resources in a virtual environment enables learners to improve their skills without having to use them in real.
3. Convenient
Virtual Reality makes learning environment more convenient by saving organizations’ time as well as budget. Employees don’t need to travel to attend training programs and can take up courses at the point of need. For instance, architects across the world can assess their designs using VR and collaborate further without any hassle.
Final Word
While only selective Learning and Development professionals integrate Virtual Reality in eLearning, technology is yet to redefine how we learn and train. We discussed the niceties of Virtual Reality in potential learning environments. Integrating VR with online learning applications can be taken to the next level of workplace training.The actual use of the web needs to be embraced when providing custom eLearning solutions and leveraging advantages of this dynamic virtual environment. Virtual Reality imparts a sensory-driven interactive environment which increases learners’ interest and understanding by providing a certain degree of reality which cannot be achieved through 2D interface.
