Virtual reality (VR) is now being used in a variety of business sectors. Manufacturing, media, entertainment, and EdTech, have already embraced it. The eLearning industry is all set to jump on board
Before delving into the importance of virtual reality (VR) in a learning management system (LMS) or online training, let us first define this technology.
Virtual reality is a computer-based technology that creates a simulated three-dimensional environment. It transports you to another dimension or realm. Wearing a VR headset provides the user with an incredibly immersive experience. The virtual object appears real, and you’re able to see and sense your surroundings in a three-dimensional depth.
VR use outside of gaming has already begun and is making inroads into the corporate world. Integrating VR technology into a learning management system can improve the eLearning experience. It is the most effective method for assessing employees’ abilities and performance. Employees can, for example, learn the skills through conventional online classes and then practice them in VR training simulations.
With that said, let’s see how businesses can benefit from using an LMS like Docebo and VR together are:
Providing Training In A Safe And Affordable Manner
Some industries require employees to be trained in the operations and processes before they can assume complete responsibility. Employees in power stations or industrial units, for example, must understand how to properly handle machines on the job site. They cannot be granted permission to take over unless they gain a thorough understanding of the situation.
VR can be employed to create simulations in which training is safe and without consequences.
Employers may employ the equipment they use to generate an accurate simulation of their processes and operations. The simulation allows new employees to acquire expertise and experiment to their hearts’ content. Even if they make errors, the consequences will be felt only in the virtual space.
VR simulations immerse the learner in a virtualized world. They do not traverse or interact with the keyboard or mouse. They can find themselves working within a 3D manufacturing line, which allows them to put their skills to the test in real time. VR simulations create the sensation of effectively maneuvering in the real world for improved practical learning.
Employee Onboarding
Employee onboarding is the process of bringing a new employee into an organization. It’s an employee’s first training opportunity. On the first day, the employee is inundated with knowledge that is difficult to retain.
An LMS equipped with VR technology can easily solve this problem, by virtualizing the entire onboarding process. New hires can be taken on a quick virtual tour of the business’s building, boardrooms, canteen, and other facilities without having to physically visit the office.
Personalized Learning
Personalized learning means that each learner progresses at his or her own pace. Some people may need several days to fully grasp the concept, whereas others may do so in a single sitting. Thus, employee or online learner training must be done in such a way that it meets individual needs. It should not force them to move at the same speed and time.
In this case, an LMS and VR can play a significant role in providing personalized learning to the workforce in the following ways:
- Employees and online learners can engage with the eLearning content directly. They can extricate virtual objects from the screen, carefully observe them, and make changes with a stylus pen.
- The use of virtual reality (VR) creates a comprehensive multisensory experience in which one can touch, feel, listen, and smell. As a result, eLearning becomes more enjoyable and unforgettable.\
- The integration of LMS and VR enables online learners and employees to learn, practice, and continue improving. Users can, for example, learn via online training tutorial videos on an LMS platform and then practice in a VR scenario.
Experiential Learning
The combination of an LMS and VR technology promotes experiential learning. Employees learn as a result of their own experiences.
This technology, for example, can be used to train sales employees in soft skills. They can create their presentation and practice in a virtual environment using a VR headset. They can also get immediate feedback on their speaking style, sentence choice, eye contact, and sentence delivery. This aids in self-evaluation.
Companies such as Walmart use a mixture of LMS and VR technology to train employees. They develop a “Black Friday” simulation model to prepare and train employees for the Black Friday sales hustle.
Improved Collaboration
LMS and VR technology can assist employees in sharing their virtual space. Despite being physically separated, they can communicate using customized avatars. When stuck on a programming problem, for instance, the employee can seek assistance from an online colleague. A team of employees can also collaborate on the eLearning project by constantly interacting with one another.
As a result, LMS and VR technology encourages collaboration and social learning.
The Most Effective Gamification Method
Gamification has long been used to onboard and train employees. The approach improves employee learning and increases success rates. Gamification can now be taken to a whole new level thanks to VR and AR.
Businesses can now use virtual reality to develop sophisticated gamification techniques for better learning. The procedure is ideal for bringing your employees on board and cutting the time-consuming process in half. You can even showcase the best of your organization and create a highly interactive learning experience.
VR is now commonplace in the gaming industry. Other industries are gradually opening up and adopting these technologies to provide interactive and personalized learning experiences. VR gamification is desirable because it fosters a sense of reality.
Monitoring And Tracking eLearning
The instructor had to be present physically during on-the-job training to keep a close eye on the employees. When the class size is too large, this becomes more difficult.
However, LMS and VR technology enables non-invasive monitoring and tracking. The instructor can:
- Monitor the online learner’s movement in the virtual environment to determine his/her learning path.
- Listen in on the discussions that learners have with their peers. This can assist in determining their enthusiasm level.
- Examine the multitude of clicks, movement patterns, eye tracking, and times the eLearning content has been downloaded, accessed, and used.
- Tracking and monitoring ads become simple, and it also indicates the efficiency of online training programs.
Conclusion-
The corporate world is currently witnessing the convergence of virtual reality and an LMS. They believe it is a safe, protected, and effective method of online training and learning. The combination of these technologies has the potential to increase employee retention and engagement. It truly aids in skill development.
