Kirill Yurovskiy: How VR is Revolutionizing Education and Training

Virtual Reality (VR) is no longer a game. It has begun transforming the field of education and professional training with interactive, interesting, and highly productive learning experiences. Virtual Reality enables learning skills required by replicating real-world scenarios so that students and working professionals can learn from replicated real-world scenarios. Since VR can replicate real-life circumstances, students can gain practical experience and learning becomes enjoyable and rewarding. This article from Kirill Yurovskiy discusses how VR is revolutionizing the learning and training process so intensely in so many areas. 

1) VR Beyond Gaming

Even though VR initially began to develop in the gaming sector, it has also branched out and penetrated more into other sectors. Because it has the potential to provide individuals with simulations of life itself.

VR learning has also been used to take students on virtual field trips, history, and science classes interactively, and reenactments. In the construction and engineering industries, VR helps workers conduct safety training with zero risk of exposure to harm. Even in business class for training, VR is incorporated to conduct soft skills training such as public speaking and teamwork, hence it is a pervasive implementor besides video games.

2) Immersive learning advantages

The advantages of VR in learning and training are many:

• Better engagement: In the virtual world, there is more potential to engage learners than in any other mode of learning. The interactive nature of VR fascinates learners and they recall more.

• Learning by doing: Learning is attained through doing in actual settings in a controlled setup, which raises the speed of information retention. Learning by doing has been found to enhance the speed of comprehension along with memory recall.

• Accessibility: VR provides access to learning for students irrespective of geographical location. Distance learning students can achieve quality through VR simulation without physical movement.

• Personalized learning: VR can offer adaptive learning experiences to be as personalized as needed. VR systems that possess the capability to house AI can customize levels and offer feedback based on a user.

• Low training cost: Industries like aviation and medicine have low-cost training with less utilization of equipment that is an arm and a leg and actual simulation.

• Mistakes are acceptable: Students can make mistakes, learn from mistakes, and be brave enough to apply what they learned in real life because they have already learned it virtually.

3) VR Workplace Training

Organizational industrial training programs are using VR for skill learning and productivity. Virtual worlds are being used in customer services, construction, and manufacturing where employees are trained before actually being employed to solve real-world issues. VR-based programs reduce error and boost productivity and overall job performance.

For example, customer service representatives practice speaking and speaking in VR. Constructors practice dealing with hazardous situations, for example, heavy equipment or emergencies, with no risk. Even high-level business executives practice making speeches to the general public with the same fear-conditioned expertise developed in VR settings.

4) VR in Medical Simulation and Healthcare Training

Doctors are increasingly utilizing VR for medical simulation. Surgeons can practice delicate procedures in simulation before working on actual patients. Medical students are able to learn the anatomy of the human body in 3D and practice with virtual patients to understand diagnosis and treatment. Even psychiatric medicine is utilizing VR, e.g., exposure therapy for fear and PTSD.

The most important application of VR in medicine is the simulation training of surgeons. Surgeons can practice and master their movements and perform complicated surgeries without any risk to anyone through VR simulation. This removes the chances of committing errors while performing real surgeries and patient safety is improved overall. Paramedics and nurses can also be trained for emergency response situations, thereby being thoroughly equipped to handle real medical emergencies.

5) The Future of VR Learning with AI-Driven Adaptation

AI is shaping the future of VR learning through adaptation and customization. AI-powered VR technology can monitor the performance of a learner and even adjust the difficulty level. AI-based systems can give real-time feedback, update progress, and even suggest customized learning courses. AI and VR are leading the way to intelligent and optimized training schedules.

AI-supported VR trainers can provide feedback in real time and customize lessons depending on a learner’s weaknesses and strengths. In work learning, AI-supported VR-platform-based systems can track workers’ performance and suggest the insertion of proper training modules according to their performance. Such level-wise intervention is optimum for personalization.

6) Challenges in VR Learning Adoption

Despite advantages, VR learning and training have some adoption challenges to be overcome:

• Expensive: VR headsets are expensive to procure and educational content to be developed.

• Technical limitations: Not all organizations can host VR technology.

• Discomfort and nausea: People hate the use of VR after prolonged use.

• Lack of education content: Good quality subject-wise education content is not available for VR.

• Resistance: Schools and educators loathe the use of new technology as they are unaccustomed to it and require training.

7) VR Learning Hardware and Software Requirements

VR learning relies on particular hardware and software components, including:

• VR headsets: Oculus Quest, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR are some of the hardware devices that provide an immersive experience. 

• **Computers and consoles:** A gaming desktop or console with good processing capacity is required to handle the execution of VR applications. 

• VR software: AltspaceVR, Engage, and Google Expeditions are some of the educational VR content platforms. 

• Motion tracking systems: Sensors and controllers allow for additional interaction with the virtual world.

Thanks to advances in technology, VR devices are less expensive and more accessible now. Cloud VR and stand-alone headsets are a reality now, and schools find it easy to integrate VR into their curriculum.

8) Case Study: VR in Military and Aviation Training

VR was first applied in training by the military and aviation transport industry. Aviation training makes use of VR flight simulators for the practice of manoeuvres without their attempts in real life. Military forces make use of virtual reality for carrying out combat operations, driving operations, and tactical manoeuvres training. All these uses develop readiness at less expense than in normal training.

VR has already been used successfully in simulating risky scenarios such as crisis management training, war-like scenario operations, and emergency landing. In the repetitive practice of procedures time and again in controlled conditions, VR develops decision-making capacity and preparedness.

9) Future of VR in Classrooms

With the increasing use of VR technology, VR applications in schools will also be more. Whether the schools and institutions can incorporate VR-based learning as a supplement to geography, history and science education is also under examination. Virtual field trips, virtual lab experiments, and virtual, interactive courses for exciting and exhilarating education can be achieved. The education sector aided by VR will be able to witness more convergence, cloud VR, and AI-powered customized education in the days to come.

With continuous technological advancement, VR will be at the focal point of the classroom, where learners are so immersed like never before and learn the subject. 

10) Incorporating VR into Learning Programmes

VR is revolutionizing learning and training, with its powerful, interactive experiences bridging achievement gaps in learning. Obstacles must be overcome, but cost decreases and technological development will drive VR to become ever more ubiquitous in schools and work-based training. As VR technology continues to evolve, so will the potential for VR to shape the future of learning and work-based development.