Why immersive learning is key to a high-performing workforce
Many organizations have stopped using traditional training methods and are trying to find more interesting and engaging ways to improve the skills of their employees. Fortunately, this has become much easier as technology brings us new things every day. One of these ways is immersive learning, which provides users with interactive experiences and hands-on training in a simulated and safe environment. All your employees have to do is put on a Virtual Reality (VR) headset or Augmented Reality (AR) glasses and see virtual elements projected right in front of them. This process is fun and educational at the same time, but how can it be given a boost? employee performance? Below we discuss everything that immersive learning can do for your employees and how it helps them improve their performance levels.
5 signs your immersive learning program is good for employee performance
1. Increased involvement
Immersive learning uses our senses, making training sessions engaging and fun. Employees can communicate, discover and learn by doing instead of just listening. It is only natural that this approach will spark their curiosity and prompt them to become more involved and actively participate. Not only that, but immersive learning also helps with memory retention. After all, we tend to forget things we hear or read, but that's not the case when we're immersed in something and experiencing it firsthand. When you give employees the opportunity to participate in real-world scenarios, whether it's simulated customer interactions, project management, or problem solving, they absorb information more easily and strive to perform at their best. This results in a better prepared and better performing workforce.
2. Improved skill acquisition
It is undoubtedly better to learn a complex skill by doing it, rather than just reading about it in a book or watching a video. Immersive learning throws you into the thick of things, allowing you to experience situations as if they were real. Whether VR simulations or interactive scenarios, these experiences train your employees in ways that traditional learning methods can't match. For example, the most common problem in training is learning a new skill and having difficulty applying it in the real world. With immersive learning, you don't have to worry about that because your staff will immediately put what they learn into practice. This helps employees learn skills much faster in an environment that reflects the real world and the challenges of their role. And if they learn things quickly, you'll have a team full of professionals in no time.
3. Improved problem-solving skills
Speaking of skills, immersive learning is a great environment for your staff to improve their problem-solving and decision-making skills. When people experience realistic scenarios in virtual environments, they are asked to make decisions on the spot, usually within a time limit. Their choices can influence the outcome of the training, which puts pressure on them to think and come up with the most unique ways to deal with challenges. The realistic nature of VR or AR training is perfect for this, because the students' brains think that every decision will have an impact on real life. But once they practice enough and start applying their… Troubleshooting and decision-making skills during the working day, they will become valuable assets in the company. After all, these skills are widely sought after among employees, regardless of industry or position.
4. Soft skills development
Soft skills are not easy to measure and assess in employees; That is why they are quite difficult to develop. However, immersive learning is quite effective in cultivating skills such as communication, empathy, collaboration and conflict resolution. This is because your staff can enter a virtual environment and experience any scenario they need to practice with. From team disagreements to customer negotiations, there's nothing they can't participate in virtually. For example, if an employee is a lone wolf and struggles to work effectively with their coworkers, he or she can participate in virtual team-building events or exercises that require them to collaborate with others to find solutions to work-related problems. Likewise, you can train your staff members in anything they struggle with, such as public speaking, interpersonal connections, or expressing their opinions.
5. Confidence boost
No one can perform at their best if they feel insecure about their abilities. However, employees who train virtually have a major advantage: immediate feedback. Because they always know how they are doing it, they can more easily put what they have learned into practice. Feedback can come from pop-up messages in the simulation, timely commentary from their instructors, or a review from their managers once they have completed the training. Imagine an employee learning to code through a VR simulation, where mistakes have no consequences and they can try as many times as they want. Feedback ensures that they achieve their learning goals faster and that they are much more confident in their position and performing at their best. This is all thanks to your company's effective immersive learning program.
Examples of immersive learning in corporate training
Virtual reality
Fortunately, every industry can benefit from the fun and effectiveness of a VR headset used for employee training. Whether you're a construction worker suddenly thrust into a virtual location or a customer service representative training in a simulated scenario with a difficult customer, the possibilities are endless. But how exactly can it be used? You can use VR to train your team in safety. Security measures and precautions are an essential training topic for any profession, and what better way to practice than in a controlled, virtual environment? So save your employees from boring sessions with long manuals and protocols and immerse them in realistic scenarios that prepare them for anything.
Augmented Reality
While VR is the most popular technology for immersive learning, don't underestimate the power of AR glasses. Think of it this way: During meetings, your employees are presented with slideshows, charts, graphs, and other visualized information. Now imagine if they could see everything right in front of their eyes through the AR glasses. This way they can work with the material, receive immediate feedback and guidance and therefore perform better. AR, for example, is perfect for that on-the-job training. Both your new and seasoned employees can use the AR glasses as a virtual guide to their tasks and responsibilities that they can access anytime they need it.
Mixed reality
Mixed Reality (MR) is like having the best of both worlds; you get the reality of the physical world combined with the possibilities that a virtual world offers. So even if your employees are not physically in the office or other work environment, the MR equipment brings this to them. What can your employees do with their portable workstation? First, they can experiment with equipment or software as much as they want without running any real risks. They can even receive training on the company's products and services to become as familiar with them as possible. For example, they can explore a product in 3D, reducing costs for the organization and, above all, gaining the necessary experience.
Conclusion
If every company breaks away from the traditional training methods, they will create a bright future for their employees. Learning by doing has never been easier as all the above technologies make it virtually effortless. While there is no easy path to improving performance or ensuring it remains at a satisfactory level, immersive learning can get you there. Our detailed tips can help you gauge whether your immersive learning program is working and get some additional ideas on how you can improve it to achieve even better results.