The virtual reality (VR) industry has seen an influx of investments, and experts predict that the market will grow from its current value of less than $5 billion in 2023 to more than $12 billion in 2024, as reported by Statista.
The concept of using virtual reality (VR) for training purposes has been acknowledged for a while, but it’s only recently that businesses and industries worldwide adopted this technology. As VR has become a popular tool, it’s apparent that the possibilities of this training technique are endless.
How Does Virtual Reality (VR) Training Work?
With Virtual Reality (VR), users can experience a computer-generated simulation of a place or situation, which immerses them fully into the environment or event. Unlike Augmented Reality (AR), which overlays computer-generated elements onto the real physical environment, VR doesn’t affect the physical world.
VR is used in a variety of training settings as an instructional tool that enables users to participate in detailed simulations without being physically present. Instructors can access these virtual environments using headgear and mobile devices.
VR training can be a cost-effective option for training instead of sending trainees to real-life situations. It also allows customers to learn about the industry without the risk associated with actual projects until they are ready. Furthermore, immersive training in virtual reality equips students with the necessary confidence and skills needed to excel in their chosen field.
Real-World Applications of Virtual Reality in Education
Interpersonal Skills
According to research by PwC, using Virtual Reality (VR) for training could be a cost-effective way for leaders to gain a variety of skills, including leadership, critical thinking, teamwork, relationship building, confidence, inclusiveness, and resilience. The study suggests that VR is an effective tool for developing these “interpersonal” skills.
The study discovered several crucial insights, including:
VR training programmes can boost employee education up to four times faster than traditional methods.
• Students are up to 275% more confident in their abilities post-training.• Users feel 3.75 times more “emotionally connected” to the content than those who learn in the classroom.
It’s reasonable that students can improve their self-confidence by practicing in low-pressure scenarios before tackling more challenging ones. Moreover, they can get instant feedback that pinpoints areas that need improvement. However, the environment should be realistic enough for them to feel at ease.
Customer Relationship Management
Verizon and other companies are increasingly realising the potential of virtual reality (VR) in customer service training. VR offers a distinctive opportunity to prepare employees for various customer interactions, equipping them to deal with even the most difficult clientele.
By engaging in simulated customer interactions, salespeople can enhance their capacity to meet the needs of real customers, enabling them to demonstrate empathy and composure in their approach and delivery.
Practicing strategies in real-life scenarios can assist customer service agents in regulating their emotions, and formulating more relevant, poised responses when interacting with customers in real-time.
Healthcare
The COVID-19 outbreak has brought a significant shift in practices across numerous industries. In response to an increasing demand for social distancing, many professionals have turned to more flexible remote working options. However, it has presented a significant challenge for those working in direct patient care.
Virtual reality (VR) training is a cutting-edge technology that allows medical professionals to acquire knowledge on how to deal with patients and other individuals in critical situations, without the need for direct engagement.
During the pandemic, Virti, a UK-based company, collaborated with the National Health Service (NHS), providing people with essential resources to manage. This comprised of training healthcare professionals in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and the arrangement of intensive care units. This enabled first responders to get accustomed to new techniques in a risk-free environment before encountering actual danger.
Virtual Reality (VR) has diverse applications for healthcare education purposes, beyond the current COVID-19 climate. For instance, medical students can use VR to simulate operations, which eliminates the need for actual cadavers. Moreover, this technology can allow healthcare professionals to keep their skills updated via low-pressure training.
Military
Virtual reality (VR) technology is highly promising for military applications. All branches of the military employ this technology to simulate various dangerous scenarios, allowing for precise training in a safe environment. VR simulations can be used for multiple purposes, including:
- War Zones
- Basic Training
- Combat
- Flight
- Medical Training
- Parachuting
- Driving Vehicles
- Diverse Other Drills
Virtual Reality (VR) is being used to augment real-world training, offering a safer and more economical approach. However, it is necessary to acknowledge that VR training should be a supplementary method to already existing training techniques, rather than a complete replacement for them.
Virtual Reality (VR) training has proven to be an effective treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This treatment can be immensely advantageous for soldiers and their families, particularly during the process of reintegrating into civilian life. VR provides a safe and comfortable environment for them to address their PTSD triggers and develop resilience to them.
Repetitive exposure can assist individuals in learning to respond in advantageous ways. Virtual Reality (VR) environments can be helpful in treating individuals who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by allowing them to confront their traumatic memories without having to relive them mentally.
Virtual Reality (VR) has extensive applications, and one of the most promising is in the realm of training. The integration of VR technology in employee training can bring benefits to various sectors, including customer service, healthcare, and the military, such as increased safety, lowered costs and greater efficiency. This can revolutionize the way employees acquire skills and get ready for different situations.
