HOW CAN IVR BE LEVERAGED FOR SOFT SKILLS TRAINING?
If role play is one of the most effective ways to teach soft skills, Virtual Reality takes this to a whole other level (StriVR, 2019); virtual partners, repetition, immersion and infinite possibilities are only some of the major benefits to using Immersive Virtual Reality technology for soft skills training. Thanks to IVR technology, scenarios that learners are likely to encounter can be recreated where the learner has the opportunity to practice how they react and respond to these scenarios. The learner can also receive feedback immediately and practice for continued improvement.
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Moreover, the IVR environment can also put the learner at ease, without the fear of being judged or criticized by peers, or the awkwardness of acting out a role play scenario where perhaps the interaction is not taken as seriously.
Research related to embodiment and immersion has also shown VR’s ability to change social behaviour by stepping into another person’s virtual shoes. Taking on this new perspective allows the learner to experience the real-world consequences of their actions and choices, and possibly alter pre-existing beliefs.
Research related to embodiment and immersion has also shown VR’s ability to change social behaviour by stepping into another person’s virtual shoes. Taking on this new perspective allows the learner to experience the real-world consequences of their actions and choices, and possibly alter pre-existing beliefs.
The IVR technology replicates the real-world environmental features. This is critical for two reasons:
1."Learning when immersed in environments leads to better depth of processing, which in turn leads to better skill acquisition and retention."
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2."Contextual learning, which is essentially the idea that it’s more effective to train in the same environment that one will face in the real world."
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- Casale, 2018
HOW IS IVR DIFFERENT FROM VHRD?
Virtual Human Resource Development is typically computer-based, and does not offer the same immersive experience. The learner does not wear a headset, navigating a 3D world on their monitor; they are also not likely to encounter any virtual partners in their learning. While there are some benefits to VHRD training, what this approach lacks is the presence and embodied experience that can be leveraged for an immersive learning experience. The following chart highlights defining characteristics of existing VR Training systems.
Source: Schmid Mast et. al., 2018
VIRTUAL HUMANS AS TRAINING PARTNERS
For soft skills training transfer to be effective, the learner must have ample opportunity to practice; both to learn the skills and continually improve towards changing behaviour. The VR environment is ideally suited to this with the opportunity to practice any number of times. The learner receives feedback with each turn and the outcome of the simulation may change slightly based on how they interact throughout the scenario. In order for this to occur, the learner needs a partner to practice with. In the virtual environment, this person can take the form of a virtual human. This virtual human acts as the training partner for role play scenarios. This person may be an artificial intelligence, programmed to respond to various scenarios through a computer algorithm, or it may be with an avatar who is being controlled by a real person in the same virtual world.
Benefits of the AI- controlled avatar partner?
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Benefits of the human-controlled avatar partner?
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“Avatars can be programmed for individual experiences, and they don’t get bored by repeated questions like human instructors do. They’re theoretically available anytime, day or night.” (Craig, 2019)
WHAT OTHER BENEFITS ARE THERE?
Immersion, presence and the opportunity for real-world practice have been highlighted as some of the key benefits to using VR for soft skills training, however, there are many added benefits which should be highlighted:
Reduce Training CostsVR brings training to the learners, and over time, this will reduce costs given the expense associated with individual field training exercises. Repeated usability will also contribute to lower costs.
High EngagementEngagement is higher due to barriers being broken down; time to participate, potential awkwardness and less distraction given the immersive experience
Real World ScenariosVirtually any training scenario imaginable can be recreated. These can be based by real occurrences, and real people, making the learning even more lifelike.
Data & AnalyticsTechnology allows data and user behaviour to be tracked more accurately, resulting in both personalized learning and improved training evaluation methods |
Co-PresenceTrainees can interact in a socially risk-free environment that feels very real. Because this co-presence exists and they perceive a true reality, the interactions are more reflective of real responses..
ConvenienceVirtual humans that have been programmed are theoretically 24 hours per day, and seven days a week. As a result, users can learn and practice at the time that is most convenient.
Incremental LearningEngaging at their own pace with customized feedback and time to practice allows learner to change behaviour and beliefs that result in real learning.
Consistent QualityOnce the training has been developed, high quality, immersive training can be delivered to scale with fewer resources while delivering the same engaging course |
WHAT IS THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE LIKE?
While we can't show you what it is really like once you put the headset on, we can show you some videos of the experience. Here are some examples of how VR, AR, and MR are being used today to train soft skills.
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LIMITATIONS
VR technology is still relatively new, and as such there are some limitations and concerns related to using IVR technology.
HARDWARE COST |
While costs are going down as the interest in VR gains traction, and more players enter the market, VR headsets are an investment. To mitigate this, users can share headsets and organizations can choose rentals for term use.
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DEVELOPMENT COST |
Developing VR technology simulations in-house is very costly, and an out-of-the-box solution, while slightly more affordable, may still be very expensive for customized scenarios. Fortunately, and upfront investment will pay off as the cost of field training is reduced.
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AI TECHNOLOGY |
Studies have shown that a fully conversational artificial intelligence is still decades away, and as such there will be limitations in the interactions that can be simulated for each learning scenario. AI technology is not currently advanced enough go off-script and customize responses.
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