Immersive Training Is Proving More Effective Than Traditional Methods
Corporate training programs are instrumental in driving productivity, increasing profits and organizational growth, and improving workflow efficiency. When it comes to digesting new information and understanding how to apply learnings to real-world situations, context is key.
Immersive technologies, like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), are revolutionizing the training space, creating learning opportunities that are more experiential in nature than traditional classroom or at-home training. Through these mediums, workers are transported into digitized environments and scenarios where they can acquire job-related skills in greater depth than ever before.
The data backs up the fact that immersive training is proving to be more effective than traditional methods. Research conducted by IBM revealed, “Compared to traditional training, VR-based training can reduce training time by 40 percent, and improve employee performance by a whopping 70 percent.”
What makes immersive learning so powerful?
Real-world training faces a myriad of limitations. Traveling and establishing training sites can be time-consuming, training materials and equipment are costly and often need to be updated or replaced, it’s unintuitive because there are no visual cues to highlight certain processes or skills and it lacks the ability to train certain on-the-job skills, such as emergency procedures.
In an immersive training environment, however, workers can safely practice everything from using complex machinery to performing surgery without the burden of real-world consequences. According to research from Stanford University and Technical University Denmark, learners retain more information when it’s delivered virtually rather than via traditional training methods, resulting in a 76% increase in learning effectiveness.
Benefits of Immersive Training
1. It Removes Distance Barriers
Immersive learning through XR technology gives businesses the power to remove geographical barriers and tap into networks of highly specialized personnel from anywhere in the world. From remote collaboration to remote tours, immersive training can bring workers together to perform job-related tasks in an interactive learning environment. They can access fundamental resources, strengthen skills and make mistakes without the pressure of performance metrics or fear of causing costly damage. Additionally, immersive training conserves company dollars typically used for airfare, transportation, accommodations and even rental space to train on location.
2. It Improves Engagement Levels
When learners are invited to step into an interactive environment, it eliminates distractions, fosters engagement and leads to increased retention. From gamification to role-playing scenarios, immersive learning transforms the mundane and hypothetical into something exciting and practical. What’s more, this type of interactive, hands-on experience helps reduce cognitive barriers and encourages faster adoption of knowledge and skills.
3. It Allows Works to Learn From Mistakes
Through a simulated environment, learners can practice a myriad of tasks – from operating hazardous equipment to interacting with clients. If products are damaged during a traditional training session, it’ll negatively impact ROI and lead to productivity loss – but that’s not the case in a digital environment. What’s more, watching a troubleshooting tutorial or reading from a script when on the job is simply not as effective as gaining first-hand experience via immersive training. XR technology provides a safe space for human error without any subsequent fallout or out-of-pocket business expenses.
4. It Gives Businesses Access to Data
AR and VR training solutions are able to capture valuable user data – from heat maps and behavioral patterns to where learners are struggling. With access to automated reporting and enhanced analytics, leaders can leverage findings to drive growth initiatives and strengthen their training program, which will better position workers for long-term success.
Providing interactive and engaging content through immersive training offers workers a more accessible and inclusive learning experience compared to traditional training methods. To learn more about how your organization can leverage immersive learning to drive better training outcomes, contact our team of experts today.
