Virtual reality (VR) has become a buzzword on its own, more and more present. But what do we know concretely about it? Nowadays, virtual reality is a trend pushing many people to be actively interested in it. Many consider it a revolutionary trend that will shape the world of tomorrow.  

In this article we will show you some possible applications of VR in learning, and you will see that there are many more applications than just for video games.

Video games were one of the initial uses of VR, and VR headset marketing was really geared towards a gaming environment in its infancy. And it’s true that when used in a gaming environment, VR lets you immerse yourself in a virtual world with some pretty awesome effects. It will allow you to live experiences that only you can imagine. VR started then to be used as a tool for small getaways and trip experiences, because VR allows you to travel to the four corners of the world, without jetlag and without leaving the comfort of your living room. Imagine that you are in Belgium, and 30 seconds later you can be in China and a minute later you visit the USA. What’s not to like about it?

And a more innovative use: in Learning and training

Another use, and much more innovative is to use VR to deliver training within companies. This use is probably the least known (for now) but one of the most effective ones because it allows staff and employees to learn while fully immersed in the subject of your training.

Indeed, the use of VR in a training context, called VR learning, can have several applications.

For onboarding (induction of new staff) – to welcome new elements in your team you need to prepare them well, especially during their first days/months. This includes training them on the different processes and procedures your organization uses, as well as providing them an overview of your corporate culture. This is part of the essential information package, skills and knowledge so your new employee can work fully as quickly as possible.

VR applied to onboarding allows each new employee to quickly acquire the codes and culture of your organization, and thus to slip into his new position as soon as possible.

For initial and continuous learning – because the development of new skills and abilities, as well as the updating of existing knowledge, are needed continuously to keep pace with new technological developments as well as new processes and procedures in each company.

VR learning can be used to train your staff on safety procedures, on the use of machinery or technology, and even to improve some soft skills such as communication and negotiation. VRlearn uses virtual reality as a technology for best practice and learning, a method that replicates real life experiences in a fully interactive way.

To develop your rising stars – in your organization there are talents that you want to develop but who still need a little more experience or practice in a field or another. The best way to make your rising stars progress is to prepare them well. Through VR learning and training, they can train with realistic scenarios that put them to the test, in complete safety, because in the event of an error, there are no consequences for your organization.

Imagine that you want to prepare someone to manage a substantial customer account of 1.2m euro. With VR training your staff can train with a similar account using scenarios in a fully realistic experience, having feedback in real time for each action, without actual real effects on the customer account. A great way to prepare for complex tasks and put all chances for success on your side.

Learning and training in VR can be used among different sectors including medical and paramedical, industrial, hospitality and many others (see other areas of application).

VR has already proven itself in many contexts, and is also doing so in the field of training. Some recent studies even show that VR training is a much more effective method than traditional training, because it allows learning through real situations, with many more concrete and practical elements. So, if you are in charge of developing your staff, you might consider to train your employees in total immersion.

Would you like to experience VR Learning?

Come and give it a try!