Immersive training solutions have become increasingly popular in recent years. Companies investing in constantly upskilling and reskilling their workforce are moving beyond traditional learning experiences. They’re discovering that extended reality tools can help scale their development initiatives faster, empower remote teams, and improve learning outcomes.
With immersive learning, companies can embed employees in realistic, authentic training scenarios. Studies show that immersive learning experiences can deliver results faster and more cost-effectively than traditional training initiatives.
The question is, how do you choose the right immersive training solution for your team? With countless innovators entering the market, making the right decision is harder than ever. Fortunately, we’re here to help with our step-by-step guide to comparing immersive training tech.
Step 1: Explore the Types of Immersive Training Tech
Before you can confidently compare immersive training solutions from different vendors, you need to know the different types of “immersion” your business can invest in. Virtual reality offers a fantastic way to embed employees in rich simulated environments. It can help surgeons practice complex procedures or teach firefighters how to navigate a burning building.
Augmented reality can offer a cost-effective way to train employees in real time, wherever they are. AR apps and glasses are frequently used for on-the-job coaching in the industrial landscape and to support field workers wherever they are.
Finally, mixed reality solutions like the Apple Vision Pro can combine elements of the virtual and real worlds to create highly accurate learning simulations. You can even consider combining AR, MR, and VR with metaverse environments, where teams can communicate, collaborate, and share knowledge.
Step 2: Consider Learning Strategies
Once you know what kind of immersive training technologies make sense for your business, it’s time to think about the educational strategies you will be using. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. Some companies find gamification is a great way to educate employees in a fun environment where they can earn rewards for completing challenges.
Many apps and software options in the immersive learning space use gamification elements and even encourage healthy competition with leaderboards and scores.
Outside of gamification, other popular learning strategies include:
- Scenario-based learning: Using immersive training technology to replicate real-life scenarios and experiences. Sometimes, this might involve using digital twins of products, machinery, and environments in a virtual world.
- Story-based learning: Story-based learning is a great way to inject new ideas into a learning situation and encourage users to re-evaluate their assumptions. Immersive training technologies can allow companies to build entire narratives in the metaverse.
- Instructor-led learning: With instructor-led education, professionals collaborate with staff members and students in real time as they move through the training journey. They can provide feedback, answer questions, and offer tips as the learner explores.
Step 3: Look for Flexible, Scalable Immersive Training Software
While there are already pre-existing apps and tools in the immersive training landscape that can help employees build soft skills and unlock other basic abilities, it helps to be able to customize your solution. Every business has its own processes and tools to consider.
A comprehensive and flexible immersive learning platform will allow businesses to adapt their training initiatives to the specific needs of their employees. Leading experts in this industry can help build unique training environments from scratch. They can even design digital twins for the metaverse.
Some companies even offer no-code and low-code platforms. These tools allow companies to embed their data and training guidelines into a pre-built system. Flexible software also ensures companies can scale their training initiatives over time. You can add new classes and courses based on the feedback they get from employees.
Step 4: Prioritize Amazing User Experiences
Unlocking the actual benefits of immersive learning is only possible when you can actively encourage employees to adopt new training strategies and complete courses. While immersive training technologies like extended reality are often considered more exciting and fun than standard classroom resources, focusing on user experience is still essential.
Take the time to carefully consider the learning styles and preferences of the different employees in your workforce. Some staff members may prefer to learn “on the job” with AR remote assistance, while others may want to dive into virtual environments.
It’s also worth ensuring your immersive tools work alongside the solutions your employees use daily. For instance, an immersive learning solution that integrates with tools like Microsoft Teams can allow employees to collaborate while training with other staff members. A solution that works alongside your LMS systems makes it easier for business leaders to track employee progress.
Step 5: Test and Analyze Immersive Training Tools
Often, the best way to ensure you choose the right technology is to put it to the test. Choose a selection of “beta testers” in your workforce who can experiment with immersive software and hardware
You can use these early adopters to determine whether the training tools are easy to use, how they influence knowledge retention and engagement, and how they contribute to course completion rates. Many of the top immersive learning apps and platforms also provide access to tools for analyzing valuable data.
For instance, you might be able to use platforms to track metrics like average completion rates, employee engagement levels, and even assessment scores. This information can help you decide which immersive technology to adopt in your training strategy.
Choose the Right Immersive Training Tools
Immersive training tools, solutions, and technologies have the power to enhance and upgrade virtually any employee development initiative. Countless trends, from hybrid and remote work to digital skill shortages, will increase demand for immersive learning.
When you’re ready to enhance your employee training strategy, use the steps above to ensure you choose the right solutions for the task.
