How to Strategically Implement XR Solutions for Immersive Learning

These days, one of the hottest uses of XR technology is immersive learning — that is, education that relies on the realistic, engaging simulated environments that this technology specializes in presenting. 

All kinds of organizations can use VR/AR headsets and other technologies that fall under the XR umbrella to supercharge their approaches to employee training. Depending on your needs, immersive learning can provide remote education, in-person training, or a combination of both. 

That said, you’ll need to overcome some challenges to establish an immersive learning strategy that works for your business. If you aren’t careful, you could purchase headsets that are unsuitable for your needs, spend too much on XR equipment, or run into countless other problems. 

Here, you’ll find MACE Virtual Labs’ complete guide to implementing XR solutions for immersive learning the right way.

Why Use XR for Immersive Learning?

Before you start working to build and implement an XR education strategy for your organization, you’ll naturally want to know if this tech can actually benefit you. 

A smart approach to immersive learning can:

  • Bring people together – Just ask anyone who attended online classes or meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic — “traditional” video conferencing can be an isolating experience. In contrast, the realistic virtual environments made possible by XR technology can help people connect more intuitively and naturally.

  • Improve your employee education – No matter how effective your current training program is on paper, it won’t help in the long term if workers immediately forget everything. XR-based learning can be far more tangible and memorable than anything presented on a flat screen, making this equipment the perfect choice for educational usage.

  • Give workers a safe place to make mistakes – Many jobs use on-the-job training to help new employees get up to speed, but if some tasks go wrong, they could lead to physical injuries or worse. With XR training, workers can learn from their mistakes without putting their lives in danger.

  • Reduce training-related costs – Immersive learning allows employees to go through modules as many times as they need without wasting materials. Modules are also reusable from one set of workers to the next, which can reduce long-term training costs.

What Are Some Ways to Implement XR Immersive Learning?

If you choose the right XR solution for your organization, the possibilities of what you can do with virtual and augmented reality technology are endless. Here are just a few ways organizations are implementing XR:

  • Basic classes or training sessions – This may not be the flashiest use of XR technology, but the immersion it provides can help boost engagement. All you need to do is record courses. Students can sit wherever they want in the “classroom,” look around, and review information at their own speed.

  • Safety training – Create simulations of high-risk situations and environments. Students can reenact these scenarios as many times as they need to learn how to deal with them in real life.

  • Drills and emergency protocols – On a related note, XR can be used to teach employees what to do in the event of a blackout, security breach, fire, or any other situation that warrants an emergency response.

  • Practical skill training – XR is also an excellent choice for practical skill training, particularly in careers where the stakes are high. Surgeons, pilots, firefighters, and military personnel can all use virtual reality as part of their training regimens.

Of course, you can implement any combination of these ideas — and others not listed here. When it comes to XR immersive learning, the sky’s the limit!

Common Challenges with Implementing XR

Using XR for immersive learning can be richly rewarding, but that doesn’t mean things can’t go wrong with this technology — especially if you go the DIY route when building your fleet. Before you dive in, it’s best to be aware of the challenges that can come with implementing XR.

Software and Hardware Selection

The VR and AR markets are truly coming into their own right now, but that means you’ll have many, many options to choose from when selecting software and hardware for your organization. It’s crucial to ensure that:

  • Your XR software and hardware are fully compatible with each other

  • Your equipment is well-suited to immersive learning

  • You have access to any accessories you need, including treadmills, gloves, trackers, and more

Many enterprises opt to work with a dedicated XR company to accomplish these goals when establishing or scaling their fleet. MACE Virtual Labs can help you find reliable hardware and software perfectly suited to your organization’s needs.

Logistics

Like any large-scale change to your business, introducing an XR fleet for immersive learning can add logistical challenges to your everyday operations. Specifically, you’ll need to be aware of potential difficulties surrounding:

  • Software updates

  • Sanitation

  • Storage

  • Training

  • Moving equipment

If your company isn’t already well-versed in VR and AR technology, fleet management can be a burden. The good news is that MACE VL is more than ready to take care of these headaches on your behalf.

Cost

Over time, virtual meetings, training sessions, and other forms of immersive learning can help your organization avoid travel expenses, the costs of renting or leasing physical spaces, and the like. But the initial costs associated with investing in XR can be high — especially if you’re looking for a high-quality fleet of headsets.

MACE VL is proud to offer money-saving bundling options to help its customers save as much as possible on XR equipment. On top of that, MACE provides the unique opportunity of leasing XR fleets instead of buying them outright.

Partner with an XR Expert

There’s no shortage of reasons why XR-based immersive learning might be a good fit for your organization. When it’s implemented correctly, immersive learning can deliver training and education that’s both more memorable and more effective than alternative methods. But that comes with a caveat — putting together an XR fleet can be quite challenging for most enterprises.
MACE Virtual Labs is the world’s leading provider of VR and AR technologies, and they can help you build a headset fleet that’s perfectly suited to your company’s immersive learning needs. On top of that, the MACE VL team is ready to take care of fleet logistics and much more. If your company is interested in immersive learning, contact MACE VL today!

Kim Grennanimmersive learning, xr solutions