Virtual Reality was once the domain of science fiction. Today it’s a pragmatic reality and the next frontier for improving workforce performance. According to The Economist, by the year 2030, VR and AR technologies will contribute to more than 2% of total global GDP (nearly 3% in the United States). Applications will include training, health care delivery, gaming, and entertainment. Today, as more than 60% of workers now work remotely, VR is replacing or enhancing corporate training programs, sporting events, and soon, day-to-day meetings.
In most digital experiences, the content is king and is based on audio, video, and text-based interactions. However, when you add VR and AR to the mix, a new level of emotion is added to the experience. Not only can we move and interact in this digital world, our brain treats the simulations just like it would real life. The result is an immersive learning experience that is highly memorable and far more educational.
Consider the use of Immersive Learning for diversity training or accident prevention. We can now place a worker in a highly charged or dangerous situation (such as interacting with an angry employee or working at a dangerous site), giving the learner a real-world experience to which they must react. In these simulations, your heart rate goes up, you feel as if you are experiencing a real situation, and you react in ways you never thought you would. lt is a much more meaningful and relevant learning experience that could, in some cases, even be lifesaving.
With the enterprise adoption of VR going mainstream, we are seeing an enormous return on investment in terms of time and cost savings, which lead to higher performance and more engaged learners. Not only does VR increase engagement and learning, it gives employees a sense of excitement and commitment to their jobs that is difficult to achieve in other ways. It’s a new paradigm for transforming workforce performance. It’s no longer just an innovation play, it’s the future of learning as we know it. As the world continues to evolve, we must learn to reach for opportunities that allow us to grow as a result. As you look to the future, ask yourself whether Immersive Learning is right for your company. You’ll be amazed at what
it can do.
It’s a new paradigm for transforming workforce performance. It’s no longer just an innovation play, it’s the future of learning as we know it.