astra domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/studyfoxx/public_html/proactivetraining.com.au/news/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131Finding more effective ways to train workers remotely has become imperative since COVID-19, and virtual reality (VR) can provide the kind of engaging, immersive, and flexible training tool that gives users a feeling of “being there.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n That feeling has become even more important since so many training programs cannot be in person or in large groups because of the global pandemic and social distancing rules. VR provides a chance for organizations to give learners a meaningful experience that ensures training initiatives won’t lag—but also won’t violate CDC guidelines.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Virtual reality is used by organizations such as the U.S. Navy for training purposes.<\/span> The Honor Foundation<\/span><\/a><\/span>, which helps veterans transition into the civilian working world, uses VR to provide a learning environment that simulates business environments, and helps veterans get experience in things such as finance and job interviewing.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n According to Edgar Dale’s<\/span> Cone of Experience Theory<\/span><\/a><\/span>, instructional activities need to be built upon more real-life experiences because “action-learning” techniques result in up to 90 percent retention, compared to 10 percent of what is read and 20 percent of what is heard. In VR, training can be customized to include “what-if” situations that trainees might face in real life—even something that might have once been inconceivable, such as working during a pandemic.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The immersive experience of VR and the ability to provide such a wide array of training experiences means learners are attuned to the experience, boosting their retention of information. There are no distractions such as buzzing texts, dinging e-mails, or even someone walking by—the user is completely in that world and the lack of distractions leads to more rapid learning.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>UPS drivers<\/span><\/a><\/span>, for example, pick up the lingo used in communicating with supervisors much faster when VR training is used. A PwC<\/span> study<\/span><\/a><\/span> on using VR to teach soft skills found that VR learners were up to 275 percent more confident to act on what they learned after training—a 40 percent improvement over classroom training and a 35 percent improvement over e-learning. In addition, VR learners were up to four times more focused than e-learners and completed training, on average, four times faster than classroom training and 1.5 times faster than e-learning.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Study Shows Benefits<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I was part of conducting a simulation in 2013, using a virtual-world platform that I co-founded called VirBELA. This simulation included 30 MBA students from 10 countries and eight universities. After they were put into teams, they were tasked with managing a large global car manufacturer for five years. The goal: boost sales, profitability, and shareholder value.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This simulation that had multiple challenges for workers scattered in different locations revealed the advantages of VR: Data collection allowed us to understand specifically why some teams were stronger than others; participants in different locales said they still felt part of a team; learners said there was a feeling of physical presence; and facilitators said it was easy to observe behaviors such as teamwork, analytical skills, and leadership.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As businesses and organizations consider new ways to train during COVID or just want to enhance and improve their training methods, other advantages of VR to consider include:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n