Virtual reality: the future of training

VR simulations can help professionals improve their skills when in-person training is not feasible. In situations where in-person attendance is not possible, such as during the COVID pandemic, VR training offers an alternative, enabling professionals to carry on with their training despite setbacks or locational differences.

As they become more advanced and less expensive and the technology continues to develop, the use cases of VR simulations will increase too. Doctors, for example, can use VR to simulate high-stress situations, such as emergency rooms. This helps them to gain more confidence in their abilities when faced with a difficult situation in real life. 

Another benefit of VR simulated environments is their potential to offer students a standardised environment, where students can all learn and practice in the same, uniform way. Gamified elements and performance metrics also contribute to a fun and engaging experience for trainees and allows progress to be accurately tracked. For example, a surgeon practicing their scalpel skills in a virtual environment can be awarded points for successful incisions, and a certain number of points can be set to pass a course. 

“The brain learns by increasing connected pathways, immersive learning provides an element of emotional connection that the brain accepts as “real”. With 6 degrees of movement, the brain can’t help but believe what it is seeing is real, and it responds accordingly. This creates perceptual fidelity, activating the same neural pathways as the real activity. This stimulation of the brain invokes real emotional response, which makes learning much more vivid and memorable.” (Deverall, 2023)

VR environments also allow for flexible collaboration, with trainees able to work together even if they are in different locations and practice their communication and team problem-solving skills.

1. Scenario-based training

   VR can emulate realistic and complex environments where trainees can develop their situational skills, tool proficiency, and process awareness.

    

2. Component familiarisation

   Trainees can familiarise themselves in simulations with specific technological components. Many components are hard to get to, buried deep within machines or just hard to access. VR can give trainees an easier time gaining a thorough understanding of important technological components.

    

3. Virtual showrooms

   VR showrooms can be an effective way to showcase products to people in different locations, saving on traveling costs and the cost of setting up the show room. It can also be useful for showcasing products which have not been manufactured yet.

    

4. Product demonstrations

   Similar to the usecase of VR showrooms, VR product demonstrations can offer a quick and easy way to showcase products, both existing and hypothetical.

    

5. Design collaborations

   Designers can use VR for a simple and easy way to collaborate with each other, nullifying the need for designers to travel or be in the same location.

    

6. Multi-user training

   VR training environments can cater to multiple trainees as once, and allow them to train together. Most work environments will require teamwork and collaboration, which makes a collaborative training environment essential.