When planning workforce reskilling and upskilling, enterprises experiment with many training models and methodologies. Many companies and startups boost knowledge retention and application by adopting immersive learning as an experimental training methodology.
What is Immersive Learning?
Unlike conventional training methodologies, immersive learning focuses on keeping learners in a virtual or artificial environment created by replicating real-life scenarios and situations.
While implementing immersive learning, learning and development (L&D) consider the characteristics that differentiate it from conventional and online learning methodologies. They make learning experiences immersive by focusing on important features like simulation-based learning, storytelling, self-paced learning, and emotional connectivity.
In addition, L&D managers set up an immersive learning environment using cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). These technologies boost employee training initiatives by delivering highly engaging learning experiences. Also, they foster knowledge retention and application by mitigating challenges like the lack of learners’ interest in the learning content.
We can understand this experimental training methodology elaborately by discussing important immersive learning characteristics and immersive learning technologies.
7 Important Characteristics of Immersive Learning Model
Storytelling
As a form of interactive art, storytelling informs, entertains, and engages learners by forming narratives. This form of learning emphasizes structuring topics in the form of authentic stories. L&D managers make the topic interesting and engaging by adding narrative using words, experiences, and visuals,
Social Interactivity
This feature of immersive learning focuses on fostering constructive dialogue between learners. In addition to keeping learners engaged, constructive dialogue helps them understand a topic deeply based on varying viewpoints and perspectives. L&D managers facilitate seamless interaction between learners using options like discussion forums, query corners, and chat rooms.
Multisensory Engagement
Learners often lose interest in textural content due to the absence of multisensory engagement. The immersive learning method focuses on replacing learning content with multisensory instructions. The multisensory instructions boost knowledge acquisition, retention, and application by engaging with different senses of the learner.
Real-World Replication
As mentioned earlier, immersive learning emphasizes replicating real-world situations or scenarios. While implementing this, L&D managers must create an artificial or virtual environment by replicating real-world scenarios or situations exactly. In addition to making topics relatable and tangible, the replication helps learners gain actionable insights. Instead of memorizing content, learners can gain insights that help them apply the knowledge and skills in real-world environments.
Self-Paced Learning
Like online learning (eLearning), immersive learning supports self-paced learning. In an immersive learning environment, a learner can acquire knowledge and develop skills at his pace and convenience. Self-paced learning fosters knowledge retention by keeping the learning process flexible. Also, a learner can understand complex topics by taking more time.
Engagement and Motivation
While creating an immersive learning environment, L&D managers focus on keeping employees engaged and motivated. They keep employees engaged using storytelling techniques and providing interactive content like quizzes. At the same time, they motivate employees to acquire skills after working hours using gamification techniques like scorecards, badges, and coins.
Emotional Connectivity
The absence of emotional connectivity makes it challenging for learners to retain and apply knowledge. Immersive learning eliminates the object by making learners connect and relate to topics emotionally. L&D managers foster emotional connection using visual aids, storytelling tactics, and real-life examples. Emotional connectivity leads to knowledge retention and application in the long run.
7 Technologies Driving Immersive Learning Implementation
Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented reality (AR) fosters interactive learning experiences by integrating combining real-world and computer-generated content. While making immersive learning programs, L&D managers use AR to enhance real-world objects by adding virtual characters, objects, and situations.
Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual reality (VR) fosters simulated learning experiences by enabling learners to interact with virtual world elements using headsets. While creating immersive learning environments, L&D managers create opportunities for learners to interact with virtual situations and characters using VR technologies.
Mixed Reality (MR)
Mixed reality (MR) keeps learners immersed by merging real-world and computer-generated environments seamlessly. A learner can interact with physical and virtual elements simultaneously in the merged environment. L&D managers leverage MR technologies to deliver immersive learning experiences by including virtual characters and objects in real-world environments.
Simulations
In a virtual or artificial environment, simulations replicate real-world processes and systems exactly. In an immersive learning environment, simulations help learners understand a topic by interacting with simulated situations, scenarios, and activities. L&D managers use simulations to prepare employees to deal with specific activities, risks, and problems.
Holographic Displays
As three-dimensional (3D) images, holographic displays represent physical objects virtually. A learner can examine a real-world object elaborately by viewing the display from various angles without wearing special glasses. In an immersive and virtual learning environment, holographic displays enable learners to understand and assess a physical object by accessing 3D images floating in the air.
3600 Video
While making a 360-degree video, photographers capture a view from every angle simultaneously. Hence, 360-degree videos, unlike conventional video clips, display the full sphere of view. In a simulated learning environment, learners stay engaged by exploring the visual content in all directions. Hence, these videos create great learning experiences by promoting active participation.
Spatial Audio
Spatial audio content boosts listening experiences by creating a lifelike soundstage. While playing spatial audio, learners perceive sound all around them without using a multiple-speaker setup. L&D managers embed spatial audio into the immersive learning environment to make learners hear sound emanating from multiple directions around a three-dimensional space.
Conclusion
While discussing immersive learning, we must remember that the experimental training methodology is developed based on the advanced learning theory. Hence, this model borrows from many conventional and proven learning principles. For instance, immersive learning differs from online learning (eLearning) in several aspects.
However, most enterprises build immersive learning environments by implementing next-generation digital learning tools and solutions. Â They enable employees to access simulations anytime and anywhere by implementing cloud-based digital library software.
Likewise, they simplify immersive learning implementation using learning management systems (LMSs) that support hybrid or blended learning. The eLearning tools help enterprises boost L&D initiatives by leveraging the combined benefits of self-paced, instructor-led, and immersive learning models.
