Exploring the Potential of Virtual Reality in Learning: Challenges and Opportunities

By Mikkel Navarro Hansen, CEO Aprendio

Learning technology that has an impact - today 

Besides having the pleasure of building a company from the bottom up together with my two fantastic co-founders Katherine and Carsten, I spend a lot of time researching trends in learning, particularly from a technological perspective.

There is no doubt that Aprendio is born out of a digital mindset: delivering scalable, high-quality learning solutions. Scalability requires adding a lot of digitalisation into the equation. However, that doesn’t mean that everything must be digital, or that digital learning is better than other types of learning.  It’s about choosing the appropriate learning method for the task at hand. Sometimes, face-to-face meeting beats everything else, while other times it’s far better to benefit from the flexibility in time and geography that digital learning gives us.

One technology that continues to fascinate me is Virtual Reality. I still have a vivid memory of a VR experience I had on an old HTC Vive about 4-5 years ago. I was part of a group climbing Mount Everest. I had to climb and traverse ice. I could feel the freezing temperatures, even though I was in the middle of a meeting room. I could feel the fear of falling hundreds of meters down if I misstepped. The immersive nature of VR captivated me, and its potential for training and learning is crystal clear for me.

However, moving from VR tests, demos, and proof-of-concepts to VR becoming a natural tool in learners’ toolboxes alongside lectures, on-the-job-training, real-life fire-fighting exercises, and engaging e-learning - this I believe will take a while. And there are several reasons for this:

No silver bullet

As with basically everything in life, there is no silver bullet. VR is no exception; it cannot solve all training needs. VR is highly effective and can give you immersive learning experiences you will never forget. But for me, 30 minutes in VR is sufficient. I need to connect with the rest of the world, and today 30 minutes is my comfort limit (although I have to admit that when I tried FORCE Technology’s VR-based cloud navigation simulation - guiding a Triple E Vessel into Rotterdam - I lost track of time). VR is not a substitute for all the other great learning methods, but it is a fantastic supplement that can take a well-planned learning experience to new heights.

The gear

First, ask yourself - how many people do you know who own a proper VR set a home or at work? How many do you know who have actually tried VR? For most people, VR is something they read about in WIRED or when someone posts about the metaverse.  The number of people discussing VR by far outnumbers those using the tech on a regular basis.

On the soft side

Well, you got the gear. You’ve deployed VR in your fleet or organisation. Congratulations! But now, try searching for off-the-shelf learning experiences. Did you find any? Great, then please tell me. They are scarce. Developing your own VR content will also have you reach pretty deep in your pocket. However, we are starting to see some VR platforms which will allow you to get started with the metaverse for learning. This is promising, because it has the potential of scalability and ease of implementation needed for VR to be a success in learning in the long-term. We tested SynergyXR’s platform, also on a satellite connection, and it works. Imagine the possibilities: joining a VR leadership training with your team - while being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Organisational readiness

While VR has the potential to revolutionise organisational training by providing immersive, unforgettable learning experiences, there are several barriers to widespread adoption of VR in organisations, including the cost and availability of equipment, the lack of readily available off-the-shelf VR content, and the fact that many organisations are not yet prepared to fully utilise VR in their training programs.

At Aprendio, our mission is to provide scalable, high-quality learning experiences, with a special focus on supporting the transition to renewable energy by leveraging the latest technologies and solutions. This includes offering fantastic VR experiences to our clients.

So if you are ready to explore the potential of VR in your training program, we invite you to join our community and learn more about how we can help you take your training to the next level. We are ready when you are!