Virtual reality, or VR, is a simulated experience that replaces the world around us. This is usually achieved by the user wearing a headset which encapsulates their entire vision, allowing them to fully experience a virtual environment around them.
Augmented reality, or AR, is different from VR because it’s usually an overlay that enhances and/or reacts to the living world around us. Users don’t need a headset to experience AR as these overlays require a screen and a camera to operate and can be run on a mobile phone or tablet.
If you’ve touched base with us recently you may have seen our comprehensive guide on the state of VR in e-learning right now written with our guest VR /AR expert Sam Trudgian.
In case you missed it, firstly please go and take a look as it covers a lot of course creation examples we won’t cover here. But if you’re looking for a quick overview of VR in e-learning then keep reading.
Researchers have shown that learners using VR retain 30% more information after 2 weeks compared to other e-learning methods. It’s been proven to improve conceptual knowledge overall by 11% and when used in the workplace, inspired 72% of employees to work harder.
The skills and time required to build a VR experience means it’s still costly in comparison to creating your course in more traditional forms of e-learning.
VR is limited in that to deploy training on it would require the user to have their own headset (costing in the region of £300+) or be supplied a headset by the training academy or their employer. Although ownership of VR headsets doubled worldwide between 2019 and 2020, only about 4% of UK households own a VR device.
Lots of industries are tapping into AR to help with product demonstrations and visualisations. When you consider that in 2020, 84% of UK adults owned a smartphone, it’s clear why developing AR has become more popular in business. Sharing AR applications is that bit easier and can be used on the go (especially when you consider that 72% of those smartphone users have access to 4G)
We covered this at length in our other blog and as you’ll see, there are plenty of applications for VR as a simulator for all kinds of situations. That’s where AR just can’t compete. The immersion you get from VR is unparalleled and the results of its effectiveness as part of e-learning and training are undeniable.
VR has come a long way in 5 years. Gone are the days of wired headsets and complicated rigs. Headsets are getting smaller, faster and more powerful - and cheaper. While you may see VR as a gaming headset, we’re seeing more and more applications for VR, particularly in training, productivity and connectivity.
