New realities can save reality.
The first time I interfaced with Augmented Reality, or AR, was when we were working with a start-up business here in Chicago that was looking to leverage google maps for historic storytelling moments in unique “hotspots” across the city. When I first played with Virtual Reality, or VR, I was working at an architecture firm called Gensler. We used VR to help our partnering higher education client to understand more about what we were designing for student-centric spaces. We have an Oculus at home and have played games with our son, feeling quite silly the first few times with the huge headset in tow.
There are many benefits and challenges of using these new immersive and simulated learning experiences. They are wonderful for simulations that teach people what to do in life threatening environments and they are generally cheaper to develop than many other live options when considering the downstream advantages. Also, they can help work out butterflies and anxiety before doing something more for real. For example, in 2021 a game was developed to precalculus supplementation to help students avoid math anxiety. We also know that most games simulation or not, increase retention of learning. Immersive VR can increase that retention. However, some simulated experiences have glitches and are not scalable due to limited connectivity in many parts of the globe.
If you have the interest, means, and solid, stable audience to think about building a learning simulation, here are some best practices:
1. Organize. Identify learning objectives in a SMART goal format that map to your organization’s strategic objectives, think through assessments, materials for learners, and activities that encourage learners to interaction and engage in the learning experience. Ensure the experience stays active and not passive.
2. Platform. Decide on the right platform based on the need of the learners — ensuring all tech equipment is available at scale before designing for a specific technology.
3. Prepare. By talking with learners about what they can expect, you can encourage them if the content is on a hard to discuss topic. Find charismatic people who can champion the new training before you roll it out.
4. Gamify. Include leaderboards, badges, points or other ways to create a competitive environment.
5. Create. Design the curriculum, script, and production plan with a clear timeline. This is the hard work in planning and production — ensuring equity and accessibility are considered for all parts of the learning experience.
6. Evaluate. Be sure to create a learner evaluation for the new training once you roll it out. Sending a survey evaluation will help you determine how your learners thought and felt about the experience and can give you great feedback for future projects like this one.
Here are three ways immersive learning can be used in a unique environments:
VR Surgeries
Audience? Doctors in training
What is it? Doctors learn to operate in a fictional environment
Learning Objective? To get a particular part of the surgery correct 5+ times in simulation
VR Bag Efficiency
Audience? Airline ground crews
What is it? Ground crews learn in a gamified simulation how to save time getting bags to customers
Learning Objective? Increase speed 2x
VR Word Role Play
Audience? High school students
What is it? High school students role-play in simulation to ensure they are not using bullying words or phrases
Learning Objective? Have students respond correctly in pre-bully scenarios
In summary, I hope this is helpful to you in thinking about when simulated learning might be a great road forward. It can be a bigger investment of time and talent on the front end yet it’s also far less taxing than the domino effects that can happen from not getting things right in the real world. New reality can save reality. I recommend VR/AR when there’s a training that can be evergreen, meaning it can stick around and provide value for some time, and if it can increase emotional and financial stability for all involved.
