Extended Reality (XR) and state-of-the-art learning platforms open sustainable and highly effective opportunities for developing and evaluating professional action competencies. The digital teaching and testing of professional competencies in the digital and virtual space represents a natural progression towards competency-based training and offers a unique opportunity to noticeably increase the quality and value of federal professional qualifications.
Initial A/B comparison tests have convincingly shown that learners using XR support perform significantly better in exam situations. The same applies to multimedia, individualized learning paths in modern learning environments. Suppose we combine small-scale, digitized learning sequences in textual and multimedia form with XR exercise sequences and simultaneously measure progress in competencies. In that case, we create powerful digital learning and testing environments that advance learners in an individualized and practice-oriented way.
XR will be increasingly present in education – through full immersion in virtual space via Virtual Reality (VR) or by superimposing relevant information into the physical environment via Augmented Reality (AR). Already today, existing learning paths are being enhanced by XR-based microlearning units. Developing actionable skills is being pursued in the Learning Management System (LMS) or Intelligent Learning Platforms (ILP). The logical consequence will be testing these action competencies in virtual space.
Current challenges
Although previous teaching materials convey knowledge and instructions correctly, they can only describe the subsequent application in abstract terms through text and images. The (re)translation into the actual professional situation burdens the learners with a heavy cognitive burden.
In addition, competence gaps in practical application can only be identified with difficulty through abstract test situations. With XR, on the other hand, learning is highly concrete, and learners can concentrate fully on the activity. In addition, the learning path in virtual space produces data points fed into Intelligent Learning Environments as competence progresses, making highly practice-related, individualized learning recommendations possible.
In the actual situation, learners try to recall the learned knowledge and instructions. This process leads to losing what has been learned when remembering and applying it in a real case.
Thus, integrating XR into technologically advanced learning environments closes the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Through the immersive experience XR offers, learners are empowered to immerse themselves in real-life professional scenarios and seamlessly apply their acquired competencies. The fine-grained mapping of learning progress – whether on the learning platform or in the virtual space – onto competency grids leads to deeper anchoring of knowledge and increased effectiveness of training and testing of action competencies.
XR in exam situations
The integration of XR not only opens up new perspectives during learning but also revolutionizes testing scenarios. Thanks to the combination of familiar digital test forms and XR sequences, competencies can be better evaluated in a spatial context. Moreover, XR allows tracking precisely what the exam candidate focuses on and what steps he or she is taking in space. Thus, it provides valuable information regarding competencies required within the exam.
For example, a person has difficulty distinguishing colors correctly and needs more time in the selection process. In an exam situation with XR, such observations could provide valuable clues about the action competencies that still need to be improved without unduly jeopardizing the exam result. Through XR’s ability to record the candidate’s behavior and interactions in the room, examiners can gain a deeper understanding of individual strengths and areas for development.
The precise data collection and analysis that XR enables leads to a more objective and comprehensive assessment of examinees. This new level of insight into candidates’ spatial approach and concentration patterns opens the possibility of providing more precise and targeted feedback. Thus, XR supports learning and improves the assessment process to ensure an even more accurate assessment of action competencies.
What do we do?
Happy Students (CYPHER Learning Certified Reseller) and Augment IT bundle the know-how for competence-oriented learning and testing in combination with the most advanced learning technology and high-quality experiences in the virtual space. To this end, we offer a comprehensive range of services to accompany you in these steps:
- We bring together knowledge workers and teaching professionals with XR experts and learning technology specialists.
- We explain the manifold possibilities of competence-based microlearning in digital and virtual environments.
- With the concentrated know-how of the workshop participants, we outline new teaching and testing scenarios in the virtual and digital learning world.
- You can build your first microlearnings, design learning paths, and link them to your competency requirements.
We start with a prototype and show how to scale it and protect your investment. The future of vocational education will undoubtedly be characterized by learning paths, competence orientation, and XR. While these mediums will not replace contact with instructors and existing learning methods, they are a precious addition to vocational education. In addition, XR and digital learning will be received significantly positively by learners and perceived as enrichment.
Join us and discover how you can use the advantages of XR and micro-skilling for your training!
Our workshops offer a unique opportunity to experience the potential of XR, individualized learning paths, digitized competency grids and learn how to take your training program to the next level.
Together, we are shaping the future of learning and professional development.
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