What are the benefits of extended reality (XR) in corporate training?
This article commences our blog series about using XR in a variety of learning contexts.
For those new to the topic, Extended Reality is an umbrella term that brings together Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR).
Energy, automotive, manufacturing, construction and retail sectors are some of the early adopters of XR facilitated training, but other industries are fast catching up.
- The Volkswagen Group is training more than 10,000 production and logistics employees with VR simulations.
- In the United States, Walmart is integrating immersive learning tools to its retail training programmes.
- Universities are experimenting with XR to provide elements of medical training to surgeons.
- Further, XR technology is being incorporated e.g. in the training of airplane traffic controllers and fire-fighters.
Whilst XR facilitated training presents valuable opportunities in sectors that deal with high-risk or particularly complex products, machinery or processes, using immersive training can yield proven and significant benefits to any sector where active, ongoing learning and first-hand ‘learning through experience’ are required.
Below are some of the benefits extended reality technology can have over traditional classroom or online training methods.
1. Increased learning effectiveness & retention
Due to its immersive nature, extended reality based training tools can engage and provide learners a first-hand experience, with the potential to increase learning effectiveness by up to 75% compared to other training methods. Immersion based training can also be more fun and memorable than traditional teaching methods – leading to better retention.
2. Reduced training costs
XR facilitated learning can help cut corporate training costs. Instead of paying for staff and faculty travel to training centres or remote real-life operational sites, XR-based training can take place at local offices and facilities, or even remotely from home. Further costs can be cut in sectors where training involves expensive materials and equipment, with XR replacing the need for physical materials and reducing risk on equipment.
3. Overcoming distance with extended reality
Incorporating immersion is particularly well-suited to providing simulations of e.g. difficult-to-access locations. With the help of extended reality, companies can create remote guided tours and facilitate life-like remote collaboration. XR based training can also help companies access the best skills and expertise from around the world, without the cost of employee or expert travel.
4. Learning through mistakes
XR can facilitate valuable learning through mistakes, which in real life could be dangerous, detrimental to business, or even fatal. High-risk industries are not the only ones to benefit from this potential; the use of XR can be equally useful in a range of customer service and sales training settings, where mistakes in real-life could lead to loss of business.
5. Tracking & analytics
Incorporating extended reality tools into training can help monitor and track training progress, providing feedback to management, training staff and learners. XR can capture a wide range of data about learner behaviour and responses, and produce reports on progress.
