Virtual reality isn’t just one of the hottest trends in gaming, the technology is also beginning to shake up corporate environments around the globe. More and more companies are turning to VR to prepare employees for real world scenarios in a safe, controlled environment.
This form of training is called simulation training, as trainees are put through simulations of real world events. But what exactly do these trainings consist of, and how effective are they in preparing employees for their job responsibilities? Those are the questions we set out to answer.
A Brief History of Simulation Training
In a sense, simulation training can be traced all the way back to the early 1900’s, when replica models were used to simulate the experience of real equipment used on a variety of jobs.
The first computer-generated simulations actually began to appear in the 1970’s at a very basic level, and slowly improved overtime.
But simulation training using virtual reality didn’t begin to appear in the way we know it today until around the beginning of the 21st century. Today, virtual reality can create thorough, three-dimensional landscapes that can at times be difficult to differentiate from the real world. As a result, its possible utilities are becoming limitless.
What Industries are Using Simulation Training?
Certain industries benefit from VR technologies in significant ways. It makes sense, for example, that airplane pilots stand to benefit a whole lot from the experience gained in a simulation training designed to mimic (down to every last detail) a real cockpit and flight experience. From unpredictable situations to crucial procedures, simulation training is arguably one of the most important parts of training for pilots.
Other industries that use simulation training as a core part of their training procedures include healthcare, military, law enforcement, and more. Essentially any profession that’s going to require hands-on, potentially high risk work stands to benefit from simulation training.
How Your Company Can Incorporate Simulation Training
Simulation training is no longer reserved for only a select few industries. The industries we highlighted in the previous paragraph use simulation training as a core part of their training procedures, but there are ways that companies in any industry can supplement their training programs with the technology.
Simulation-based learning offers educational opportunities in addition to training opportunities. The technology can be used for “activities including discussion, self-reflection, and questioning so that learners can engage actively in the learning process,” at least according to this case study from Nursing World. It might be wise to consider adding simulation learning into your workspace.
The history of simulation training dates back centuries, but virtual reality simulation training is a much more recent development. The benefits of this technology are wide-ranging, and it’s possible utilities are many. Consider incorporating some form of these simulation trainings in your own office.