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Virtual training conquers the education market. As advanced technologies become more accessible to businesses and individuals, the education industry is embracing the latest trends. Are virtual training courses conducted in an immersive environment as effective as courses conducted traditionally? How do these two teaching methods differ and which provides greater benefits to participants? In this article, we will analyze this issue using scientific research and the conclusions obtained as a result of virtual training.
A Dive into Virtual Reality’s Learning Dynamics
Virtual reality training provides hands-on learning experiences. Participants can experience realistic simulations of learning content without risking their lives or health. Taking part in training requires special equipment: VR headsets and input devices. These enable learners to interact with other participants.
VR training, due to its availability and safe learning environment, can be used in many industries, including even the most potentially hazardous. Sectors where VR training can bring tangible financial and effective benefits include:
- Medical training: VR allows medical students to perform virtual surgeries and practice diagnosis in a safe environment.
- Flight training: Pilots and cabin crew can practice disaster management and navigation in realistic flight simulations.
- Health and safety training: Employees can learn safe emergency procedures in a virtual workspace.
- Heavy industry: Using VR training, industrial machines and equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, etc., can be operated safely and efficiently.
- Military: VR provides an environment enabling the most complex military operations to be carried out without risking participants’ lives or health.
- Education: Students can experience historical events first-hand, learning about the past interactively.
Unlocking the Superiority of VR Training Over Traditional Methods
Are VR training sessions more effective than classic training? The theory is backed up by scientific research. In 2021, scientists from Nanjing Medical University (China) compared the effectiveness of teaching virtual reality and traditional education in medicine education. Their study confirmed a significant difference between VR students’ pass rates and those educated in a traditional educational manner: “Students from the VR group achieved better results than students from the traditional education group.”
Furthermore, in 2022 scientists from Jagiellonian University in Krakow (Poland) conducted a study on the effectiveness of virtual training, stating that “VR teaching tools enable participants to interact more effectively with teaching material thanks to the wider possibilities of focusing attention in a computer-generated environment.” Similar research conclusions were presented in 2019 by scientists from the Medical University of China. Their research on high school students clearly showed that:
- VR improved students’ perceptions of teaching equipment and the classroom, social presence, and teacher presence;
- Virtual reality-based blended learning can improve students’ interest, attention and interaction;
- Virtual reality is more effective at transferring unstructured knowledge than traditional instructional media.
Meanwhile, researchers from Poznan University of Technology (Poland) studied how virtual reality impacts production employee training effectiveness. Based on their tests, they concluded that virtual reality training improved identification tasks. It also could improve the number of qualified products, and products meeting quality requirements.
Why VR Training is Poised to Revolutionize Learning as We Know It
Comparing training conducted using traditional methods and VR training, the latter technique is truly revolutionary, offering both participants and trainers several unique benefits. While traditional training methods remain popular, VR training appears to be a groundbreaking alternative, offering a wide range of advantages. As scientific research confirms, virtual reality immerses course participants in realistic simulations, engages their senses and provides a practical experience. In this way, the course material is easier to remember and the participant’s knowledge becomes more comprehensive.
VR technology is constantly evolving, becoming more available and affordable. VR is already becoming an integral part of education in various fields. Mass use of VR training is still not fully possible due to the high cost. Nevertheless, it seems obvious that with the development of technology, this form of education will increasingly be widely available due to its high effectiveness.
