Trends Influencing the Future of Immersive Education
Immersive education can transform the future of learning and training experiences for everyday students and employees alike. As extended reality devices, metaverse solutions, and immersive technologies become more accessible, countless companies are updating their training strategies. This trend will continue as companies struggle to navigate growing skill shortages.
The right immersive technologies can help companies overcome staffing crises, improve development and upskilling opportunities, boost productivity, and reduce operational costs. As this market matures, we’ve seen a number of trends emerging in the immersive education sector.
Here are the most significant trends you should be aware of if you’re investing in the new era of employee training and development.
1. Immersive Education Wearables Evolve
Technology used for immersive education experiences can come in many forms, from meeting rooms with holographic projectors, for collaborative learning, to remote assistance and coaching apps infused with augmented reality. In the last year, we’ve seen a number of trends influencing how companies adopt hardware for XR training purposes.
For instance, instead of investing in separate devices for virtual and augmented training experiences, companies are exploring multi-modal devices like the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3. These mixed reality solutions allow users to control their level of immersion throughout different training initiatives, moving between MR and virtual reality environments.
New accessories are also emerging to improve immersion in a simulated training environment. XR treadmills, custom-made solutions for flight and automotive training, and haptic solutions are growing more common. Haptic gloves and suits can take training in VR to the next level. They can allow users to feel what it’s like to interact with specific tools, opening the door for new muscle memories.
2. Spatial Computing Improves Training Experiences
One of the biggest benefits of immersive learning is that it empowers employees to access practical, hands-on training experiences within simulated environments without risk. However, some previous XR devices have detracted from the immersive experience by forcing users to interact with content using controllers rather than natural, organic actions.
Spatial computing in the XR space is addressing this issue. Evolutions in spatial computing technology offer employees a more natural way to interact with content through gesture, eye, and hand-tracking algorithms. They eliminate the need for controllers, making each simulated experience more realistic. These technologies also enhance the quality of immersive content.
Spatial mapping technologies, for instance, can produce a virtual representation of a physical space with incredible accuracy and bridge the gaps between digital content and real-world environments.
3. Flexible Platforms Transform Immersive Education
Many leaders in the immersive learning landscape have achieved exceptional results by developing libraries of training content that businesses can deploy with minimal effort. However, as the adoption of immersive education grows, many companies are searching for more flexible, customizable solutions they can adapt to suit their specific needs.
Companies offering metaverse as a service solutions and no-code low-code platforms that can integrate with learning management systems give companies more control over their training resources. They can empower companies to combine pre-built blocks, components, and XR features with custom-made content for a unique learning experience.
The rise of more flexible, easy-to-use, and customizable platforms means a wider range of companies can adopt immersive education without investing in extensive developer resources. Additionally, many vendors now provide instant access to the apps and integrations companies need to support their teams, aligning with collaboration tools, contact center equipment, and more.
4. Evolving AI in Immersive Education
Many of the biggest innovations in the extended reality landscape come from infusing AI tools into immersive technologies. AI is also significantly impacting the way companies approach immersive education. AI technologies allow headsets and software to leverage natural language processing and computer vision for enhanced spatial experiences.
Generative AI tools help companies create the code, metaverse assets, and resources they need to build highly customized training environments. AI assistants built into immersive education experiences can provide employees with real-time coaching. They can deliver constant personalized feedback, reducing the need for hands-on managerial support.
Additionally, the evolution of AI systems in the immersive education space means companies can tap into the evolving benefits of adaptive learning. Adaptive learning programs can dynamically change and alter content to suit each student, improving user experience and learning outcomes.
5. Network Opportunities Evolve
In the past, some companies have failed to adopt immersive education opportunities, not just because of low budgets and developer resources but also because of network limitations. Innovative XR technologies rely on robust network connectivity to eliminate lag and latency.
Fortunately, innovators like Varjo and other vendors are investing in cloud-based solutions that help to minimize bandwidth limitations. At the same time, software and hardware vendors are providing companies with more control over their network options. The ability to leverage 5G for remote content access can significantly reduce the risk of poor experiences in immersive education.
Some companies offering metaverse as a service solution can even stream and host cloud-based content on behalf of their customers, reducing technical expenses. These changes should help to improve adoption of immersive education experiences.
6. Optimized User Experiences
Finally, in all corners of the extended reality landscape, we’re seeing a growing focus on improved user experience. Companies aren’t just innovating with spatial computing to improve computer/human interactions. They’re also building more lightweight headsets with better visual fidelity to minimize VR sickness.
Leading immersive education vendors empower employees to customize their learning experiences with AI tools, adaptive learning, and flexible environments. Some companies even help business leaders control how they distribute and monitor learning content. These vendors leverage both blockchain technology and unified resource management tools.
These innovations, combined with more powerful XR software and hardware custom-built for the educational space, will enhance the existing benefits of XR training. Soon, immersive learning could become the standard for all future training initiatives.
The Evolution of Immersive Education
As companies continue to discover the benefits of experiential experiences demand for immersive education is increasing. With the right technologies, companies can improve and enhance knowledge retention, increase employee engagement, and minimize training costs.
As the XR landscape evolves, businesses from every industry will continue to recognize the value of immersion in employee training. This will lead to a new future for education in the modern world.
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