Due to the pandemic, virtual reality has been pushed into mainstream reality. This merging of technology with reality would have naturally happened. But, the pandemic seemed to escalate things.

In five years, the AI industry is set to expand from an $829 million industry to a $4.26 billion industry.

In the workplace, companies may be wondering how to improve communication skills among team members while using VR to assist with that. Many common workplace issues aren’t because business premises are poor, but are due to workers lacking in soft skills – particularly effective communication.

To find out how VR can help with ways to improve communication skills, keep reading.

How to Improve Communication Skills With VR Customer Service Training Simulations

One way in which a company can learn how to improve workplace communication is by using VR simulations. VR creates scenarios in which employees get practice with their customer service skills.

The pressures of having a customer react emotionally to a situation can leave employees questioning how to respond. Many people do not have the skills of remaining calm under pressure, diffusing situations, or active listening. Being able to find a solution to a problem while remaining calm in a heated moment is essential.

VR comes into play here. Employees can practice engaging with difficult clients through a VR headset or laptop. It allows them to role-play different scenarios. Employees learn how to engage personably with fictional avatars without risking real-life clients.

These training programs provide tips for better communication for employees. They gain a similar learning experience as a real scenario would offer.

This type of training leads to increased customer satisfaction. It helps decrease handling times and with significant conflict resolution improvement.

VR for Public Speaking

The idea of making a presentation or giving a speech brings people back to high school speech class. The fear of what your peers will think and if you’ll make your talking points creeps over before a presentation.

With VR simulations, employees can face their fears without judgment. Different simulators put you in a situation where you’ll present to an office or crowd of people. You can adjust the settings to where the audience reacts based on the performance the employee gives.

Avatars enthuse or look bored from your speech. The assignment given may be to collect data and from that come up with a story or explain a product. This is a sure way to gain the confidence needed to present a business proposal, speech, or pitch an idea.

Different things like keywords, body language, and tone are analyzed by AI to offer comprehensive feedback. This lets employees think on their feet. It nudges them to be confident in their professional abilities with tangible feedback offered to them.

Using VR for Increased Employee Communication

A major flaw of companies is that communication between employees is rather low. This is even more so the case when people have to rely on remote communication rather than in person. VR provides tangible communication tips for employees to use.

VR simulators can bring up common workplace situations that can only be resolved through effective communication. Employees can understand what kind of communication determines the success or failure of a business deal.

Many types of companies could enjoy this. For example, you don’t have to work in an office to take advantage of AI. Service industry workers know how much communicating between the kitchen and front of house staff determines the success of a shift.

With VR, conditions can be arranged to where a customer will present a problem that can only be resolved if the manager takes action. It’s up to the employee to react to the customer in a pleasant way. They should then get information from other employees and bosses to relay the pertinent information back to the customer.

Using this tool advances communication. It emphasizes how important it is for a functioning workplace. This is one of the best ways to improve communication skills between employees at work.

Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

Someone can be the most qualified person to fill a position, but their efforts be futile if lacking emotional intelligence. Business leaders are the most fortunate when displaying the ability to perceive other people’s emotions. Beyond this, they pick up on others’ feelings while remaining stoic with their own.

Having this skill acts as a trickle-effect in the office place. If one employee, especially a leader, displays high emotional intelligence, the rest of the employees are likely to respond in a positive way. Rapport is boosted from having a high EQ.

EQ is a natural skill, but can also be learned. AI can help build EQ by promoting people to be self-aware. Self-awareness translates in actions as making confident, rational decisions.

It allows people to learn how to communicate their needs. This leads to reduced stress and more camaraderie among employees.

Higher Quality of Business

Though AI is still a newer technology and expensive, the initial investment is not only in the technology, but in your employees. The multifaceted uses of VR technology teach workers how to improve communication skills even when under stressful conditions. This increases the quality of your business.

Active listening, learning communication styles, and advancing emotional intelligence builds strong leaders. A team of innovators awaits from taking advantage of the potential VR has to offer.

Reap the benefits of AI courses for your employees. To see the different courses to improve team development, visit beLithe’s team training page here.

Projected to reach over $84 billion by 2028, the virtual reality market is one of the fastest-growing in the world. These technologies are blowing up industries like business, entertainment, healthcare, and, yes, education.

Since it’s difficult to pinpoint where a solution is headed without looking into its past, we’re going to dive into VR’s history today, Here, we’re going to talk about the history of virtual reality specifically in the education sector. Read on to learn about VR’s development… and to understand where these platforms are headed in 2022 and beyond.

The History of Virtual Reality in the Early Days

The foundation of virtual reality dates back to 1956. Morton Heilig, who had a heavy background in the film industry, designed a Sensorama machine to help people feel like they were inside the movie. This 3D picture allowed people in the theater to simulate a motorcycle ride through a city, complete with multisensory experiences.

This paved the way for Ivan Sutherland to build a head-mounted device that immersed people inside a picture in 1965. This device was a sort of prototype for the VR headsets that later became popular in schools and other educational settings.

In the 80s, NASA developed a Virtual Interface Environment Workstation (VIEW) that allowed astronomers to move through a virtual version of space. These workstations used head-mounted devices in addition to gloves for tactile immersion.

As you can imagine, this wasn’t just groundbreaking for research. It also gave educators a look into what VR systems could do for students. They could examine new environments such as space, faraway locations, art galleries, and even historical settings.

In the beginning, these were just dreams. However, they later did become a reality.

VR’s Foray Into Education

In the early days of virtual reality, the technologies weren’t just limited. They were also extremely expensive. They couldn’t immediately become mainstream in educational settings for both practical and financial reasons.

However, researchers and educators still wanted to shift classrooms to the use of virtual reality for some applications. While there were (and still are) practical limitations on what augmented reality is capable of, it can simulate environments that students otherwise would not have access to.

In 2000, a mainstream study by researcher Alessandro Antonietti and his team proved that VI could benefit learning. Children were given a virtual tour of a complex painting and, after being allowed to examine all aspects of it, were better able to describe it than the non-VR-using control group.

In 2010, when contemporary virtual reality devices began to emerge, their integration in schools became more widespread. PC-connected headsets allowed students to zoom in on parts of a desktop screen and “immerse” themselves in an image. This interactive learning method was similar to a film but allowed learners to click on and explore an image on their own terms.

From there, educational VR continued to develop into today’s augmented reality technologies. 2014-2017 saw the progression of PC headsets to console and mobile-tethered alternatives. Eventually, VR was made into the independent platform that it is today.

The Present and Future of Educational VR

In 2021, virtual reality is used in a ton of different settings. Experts can receive training in how to improve their businesses with these technologies. Educators can come up with new ways to integrate them into classrooms regardless of the subject that they teach.

Some applications that educators currently use virtual reality for include:

• Training people in new skills
• Letting people explore places they couldn’t practically visit (virtual field trips)
• Language and cultural immersion
• Interaction with virtual people within the augmented setting
• Teaching architecture, art, design, and other visually-based fields
• The ability to collaborate long-distance with teachers and other students
• Learning by playing engaging and interactive virtual reality games

Because augmented realities have been increasingly normalized in educational settings, it seems likely that there will be huge leaps in the next few years. Smart learning is sure to become more common, especially with distance learning.

The Power of Immersion

Currently, there are a few problems with the education system that virtual reality can solve. Fact retention isn’t conducive to learning skills with applications, making this common classroom format ineffective. Additionally, since students can become overwhelmed with boring information, students often become disengaged.

Virtual reality relies on experience-based learning to teach students. This allows all learners to remain engaged and interested, whether they’re visual learners or go-getters. The full sensory experiences emerging in virtual reality also give learners something to remember when trying to recall and apply their teachings later.

Students who learn things by doing them also allow them to more easily understand how to use the skills that they’re developing. Active learning inspires them to discover various aspects of the world around them and to take action within that world. After someone learns something in a VR and applies the knowledge there, they’ll have an easier time with related real-life tasks.

All of these factors mean that virtual reality is one of the best advancements in education. Its history switched up the way that learning works today, and its present is bound to make the future even brighter.

Get Agile Training Today

Now that you know the history of virtual reality in education, it’s time to begin reaping its many benefits. Agile certification can help to make your team more productive, scalable, and adaptable in their project management.

We’re committed to training experts in how to integrate VR into their existing frameworks with Agile systems and mindsets. Contact us with any remaining inquiries about how you can make your educational organization more efficient and effective with Agile training and virtual reality technologies.

When you think of virtual reality (VR), do you mainly picture gaming applications? VR is now proving to be a valuable tool for employee skills training.

In fact, one study showed that lVR earners had a 75 percent information retention rate. This outpaced audio-visual (20 percent), reading (10 percent), and lecture (five percent) formats. VR gave participants more confidence in performing the new task.

Are you searching for a more effective method to train your staff? Keep reading to learn more about incorporating VR into your tool kit.

Future Uptick in New Skills Training

The workforce now faces many new demands. Experts predict a new division of labor between humans and machines by 2025. This will change 85 million jobs across the world.

This survey also shows that 43 percent of companies plan to integrate technology. At the same time, they will reduce their staff.

Yet, 34 percent say they will hire more workers to manage technology integration. Another 41 percent will use more contractors for specific tasks.

Overall, these changes will generate 97 million new roles. Individuals proficient in decision-making, communications, and management will excel. Fifty percent of people keeping their current job will need reskilling in five years.

What Is Skills Training via VR?

VR training uses lifelike digital simulations to create a 360-degree active learning environment. The headset and controller let learners see and hear “real-life” sights and sounds. They’re able to interact with tools and machinery and “experience” the results.

In some situations, mistakes can have fatal consequences. Or the learning task may involve sensitive scenarios. Instructors provide feedback as learners practice in a risk-free space.

The following describes examples of industries that benefit from VR training.

• Aerospace
• Aviation
• Construction
• Disaster preparedness
• Engineering
• Enterprise
• First responders
• Hazardous material spills
• Healthcare
• Heights training
• Highway
• Rail
• Recruitment
• Transportation

VR training improves learning retention, team collaboration, job performance and satisfaction.

Investing in Virtual Reality Skills Training

Developing VR environments can present a more expensive option compared to other e-learning. Yet, VR training offers a risk-free, effective, multi-user environment to optimize learning. Your return on investment (ROI) improves with shorter learning curves and fewer mistakes.

When evaluating your VR ROI, consider several factors. What is the current ratio of trainers to employees in your company? How much do you pay to train one worker? How much do you spend on buying training equipment?

What is your current staff’s level of satisfaction and your turnover rate? How much does it cost to advertise, hire, and onboard new employees?

These metrics often represent “invisible” reductions in the company’s ROI. VR is a faster and more effective avenue for training than other e-training formats. It also increases employee satisfaction since they have a higher level of confidence.

This leads to increased employee engagement (EE). One study examined the impact of high EE on staff members’ work performance.

They reported that EE generates higher job satisfaction. At the same time, it reduced the potential for staff turnover.

Also, worker errors can lead to injuries, data breaches, customer dissatisfaction, and more. Reducing staff mistakes reduces your costs to resolve the problem.

This means a safe environment for customers and workers. You’ll also improve your business’s reputation. At the end of the day, VR training can generate a positive ROI compared to current methods.

Benefits of VR in Skills Training

Safety is a significant benefit of VR training. Learners can repeat the skill as many times as needed until it’s mastered. Adult Learning Theory says optimal learning occurs when students find answers to questions.

Each time they make a mistake, it generates a question and they search for the answer. The adult uses their past experiences, intuition, knowledge, and instructor feedback. The workers integrate all of this input until they reach a high level of comfort with the skill.

VR facilitates a responsive learning environment to teach needed information. This reduces the time it takes for staff members to master new tasks.

How to Improve the Skills Training Experience

If this approach to training interests you, it’s key to optimize the implementation. Generate specific objectives and learning goals. Consult a VR expert to replicate the real-world environment, tools, and physical “experiences”.

In theory, this may seem straightforward, but in practice, it can become challenging. This highlights the importance of using an expert or buying available VR programs.

VR offers one of the most cost-effective training solutions at scale. With in-person training, you often need to buy extra equipment for teaching. Training in live experiences increases stress on the learner as well as risks.

Some staff members won’t be familiar with the VR experience. Quality programs are user-friendly and provide clear instructions for using the equipment. If the participant needs to move around, show them the space and safety barriers.

Providing time for the learners to become comfortable with the technology enhances outcomes. Now they’re ready to participate in a safe learning environment to gain and hone new skills.

Are You Looking for a Top-Level Agile and Lean Training Expert?

Many employees will need new skills training in the next five years. This means companies must find the best teaching approaches that benefit their ROI. beLithe offers coaching, community, training, and certifications to improve business outcomes.

We offer certification and training for Agile, Scrum Master, and Product Owner. Our team also works with companies to enhance team development.

Our virtual reality school courses provide “real-life” experiences in a safe environment. Multiple users can participate at the same time to optimize the learning setting. Get started today by choosing courses to improve your employees’ skill set.

Decades ago, virtual reality technology was something that was relegated to science fiction. In fact, many people assume that we would never see this innovation come to life.

As time goes on, however, VR is becoming more and more prominent throughout different industries. It’s even begun to make its way into educational environments.

There’s a large number of benefits associated with virtual reality in education, particularly for adult learners. Let’s take a look at the most notable benefits of VR in training.

1. Enhanced Training Opportunities

In conventional training courses, instructors are often limited by their environment.

Depending on the topic at hand, learners might not be able to place themselves within the appropriate context for what they are learning. For example, virtual reality can be used by medical students to become familiar with specific settings.

In this case, surgery would be one of the most valuable to focus on. The same can be said about other complicated fields, such as engineering. Having access to this type of training will help ensure that learners retain information much more efficiently.

It will also instill additional confidence that they might not have otherwise. In many cases, this can easily lead to better performance outside of the classroom.

2. Increased Engagement

For a large percentage of learners, learning often feels like a chore.

This can become increasingly true if the topic they are studying is not inherently interesting. To clarify, most of us can remember a time in our lives during a history class where we certainly didn’t feel 100% engaged in what we were learning. Through virtual reality, you can immerse yourself in the appropriate environment and become fully attentive.

This will substantially increase the level of engagement that learners have in the classroom. As previously mentioned, a scenario like this will also lead to increased knowledge retention. Having a sufficient level of engagement is critical for many fields.

Unfortunately, it’s often possible to pass a course by simply going through the motions. This will not prepare you for a professional environment, and learners in this situation may struggle.

3. Overcoming Language Barriers

One of the most notable issues that learners face is language barriers. This is true even for learners that have previous knowledge of a specific language.

By using VR in training, learners can seamlessly overcome these problems. This type of technology can help international learners ease into their new learning environment.

It can also help businesses conduct training overseas. If you find language barriers are a problem at your facility, this could be the best available solution.

4. Provides a Unique Experience

Different people learn best in different ways.

Some individuals prefer to read textbooks in order to learn information. Others might need to see/hear new information in order to retain it. VR in training provides a unique experience that can be optimal for those who do not learn best through conventional methods.

In fact, it may even prove to be highly superior for learners that do not have issues with other forms of learning. This is simply due to the fact that there is no other learning experience that can stimulate the brain in this way except for hands-on learning.

Of course, this isn’t always possible or convenient without the use of VR.

5. It Fosters Creativity

When you have access to virtual reality, you have far more potential when it comes to how you express yourself creatively. More often than not, you will be able to virtually place yourself within any type of setting. You aren’t limited by tools at your disposal or factors like lighting.

This makes VR an ideal type of learning for creative fields. However, it can also help foster creativity in other fields, as well. To clarify, let’s assume someone was pursuing an education in architecture.

Virtual reality technology could allow them to seamlessly create their own design before viewing it in context. They would be able to gain insight into how their creation looks in different environments, such as day or night. As you might guess, the possibilities are truly endless when it comes to the ways you can leverage VR in the classroom.

It should also come as no surprise that it is ideal for digital art.

6. It Will Familiarize People With This Type of Technology

As time goes on, this type of technology will only become more popular. It may even become the standard in professional environments for employee training.

The more familiar you are with it, the easier it will be for you to make use of it if necessary. It wouldn’t be unlikely for a company to require certain teams to undergo VR training for specific tasks. If you have previous experience in doing so, you shouldn’t have any issues completing this training seamlessly.

This could easily result in you having more access to opportunities at your place of employment. It’s also worth noting that the popularity of this technology outside of learning environments will also grow.

As long as you give this information in mind, you will be able to avoid complications that you would have otherwise encountered.

Virtual Reality in Training Could Be Game-Changing

So, it’s important to consider the above information when deciding whether or not integrating it is right for you.

Virtual reality in training can easily resolve many of the most common issues associated with learning. Be sure to take advantage of it when you can.

Want to learn more about what we have to offer? Feel free to get in touch with us today and see how we can help.