Entry 9: Activity1_VR_Training

This activity involved comparing VR training and real-world training.

VR training can be used in various industries and sectors, including business organizations, the military, medicine, and mechanics.

VR (virtual reality) training offers several advantages and disadvantages compared to real-world training. 

Advantages:

1. Provides a Safe Environment:

 - In VR training, learners can practice high-risk tasks without putting themselves or others in danger. For instance, medical professionals can practice complex surgical procedures without risking patient health.

 - VR simulations allow trainees to learn from their mistakes in a controlled environment, helping to build their confidence.

2. Saves Time and Energy:

 - VR training reduces the need for travel, allowing people to train from wherever they are. This is advantageous for those in remote locations or those with limited access to training facilities.

 - The time saved can be used for additional training or other activities.

3. Increases Retention & Reduces Errors:

 - VR training provides immersive and engaging experiences that can lead to better knowledge retention. For instance, medical students who practice in VR can make fewer mistakes when working with actual patients.

 - Since VR is more interactive and engaging, it helps learners better understand complex concepts and procedures.

4. Consistency in Experience:

 - All users receive the same training experience, ensuring standardized learning and evaluation.

 - This consistency can be crucial in aviation or healthcare, where standardized practices are critical for safety.

Disadvantages:

1. Costly:

 - VR equipment can be expensive, including headsets, controllers, and software. It also requires maintenance, which adds to the cost.

2. Difficult to Implement on a Large Scale:

 - Implementing VR to train many trainees requires a lot of resources and infrastructure. Thus, it will be difficult for new companies or companies with little investment to use it on a large scale.

3. Not Safe to Use at Home (Personal Opinion):

 - While VR provides a safe environment for practicing high-risk tasks, it can be unsafe when used improperly. For example, users may bump, trip, or fall over household items in the virtual world.

For VR training, guidelines and safety measures must be in place to maximize the benefits and minimize the drawbacks. Considering the fact that I found more advantages than disadvantages when researching this topic, I believe that VR training would be much more beneficial than real-world training. That is my opinion.

References:

• VirutalSpace(2023) Benefits of VR training Available at: Benefits of VR training – VirtualSpeech (Accessed: 7 March 2024)
  

• Immersafety(2023) 11 Benefits of VR Training For Workers & Industires (2024) Available at: 11 Benefits of VR Training For Workers & Industires (2024) (immersafety.com) (Accessed: 7 March 2024)
  

• VRVision(2024) 10 Advantages of Virtual Reality Training in Enterprise Immersive Learning Available at: VR Vision - 10 Advantages of Virtual Reality Training in Enterprise Immersive Learning (vrvisiongroup.com) (Accessed: 7 March 2024)
  

• Simbott(2024) 15 Benefits of Virtual Reality Employee Training (2024) Available at: 15 Benefits of Virtual Reality Employee Training (2024) (simbott.com) (Accessed: 7 March 2024)