9 Myths about Immersive Learning in Corporate Training

Immersive learning is?evolving as a transformative force in corporate training and professional development. However, several myths about its applicability, effectiveness, and implementation persist hindering organizations from fully embracing this approach.

In this article, I want to clear up these misconceptions and shed light on the strategic relevance, impact on learners and implementation aspects of immersive learning.

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Strategic Relevance

Myth #1: Only for Tech Companies

Contrary to the belief that immersive learning is exclusive to technology-centric industries, its benefits extend across all sectors. From healthcare, education, manufacturing, banking, professional services and retail, immersive learning provides realistic simulations for both hard and soft skills training.

Myth #2: Limited Use Cases

Immersive learning is not just confined to technical training. It is equally effective for developing soft skills like leadership, communication and empathy, by placing employees in realistic social simulations.

It offers a safe environment for practicing skills as well as for experimenting with different ways of resolving issues (i.e. through repeating modules at your own pace and without being observed).

Higher psychological safety, retention and engagement make it a worthwhile investment.

Soft skill use cases can encompass a large variety of organizational scenarios: from first-time manager training, change management support (i.e. new performance management process), and leadership development, to DEIB initiatives supporting cultural cohesion in high-growth situations or post-merger to the development of a sustainable talent pipeline across the organization.

Myth #3: Short-term Gimmick

Dismissing immersive learning as a passing trend is shortsighted. As the technologies involved rapidly evolve and integrate into daily operations, the applications and effectiveness of immersive learning continue to grow fast, making it a sustainable long-term training solution, especially vis-a-vis the continuously growing need of organizations to upskill their workforce’s and leaders' (soft) skills.

Impact on Learners

Myth #4: Lack of Evidence on Effectiveness

Skeptics argue that there is insufficient evidence to prove the effectiveness of immersive learning. However, numerous studies have shown that immersive learning can significantly improve knowledge retention, engagement, and the ability to apply skills in real-world situations compared to traditional learning methods.

Myth #5: Time-consuming for Learners

Far from being time-consuming, immersive learning offers flexible and convenient learning opportunities that can be seamlessly integrated into employees' schedules, unlike traditional (face-to-face) learning methods that often require significant time away from work. This provides learners not only with flexibility but also a sense of autonomy.

Myth #6: Suitable for Youngsters Only

The simplicity and user-friendly design of immersive learning platforms make them accessible and understandable to learners of all ages, debunking the myth that only younger generations can navigate these technologies. It captivates learners, including those with short attention spans, through engaging narratives and microlearning techniques, significantly enhancing retention rates compared to traditional learning methods.

Implementation

Myth #7: Too Expensive

One of the primary myths is that immersive learning technologies are prohibitively expensive. While initial costs can be higher compared to e-learning, the investment in VR, AR, or MR technology can lead to long-term savings through reduced training times, lower need for physical resources, and the ability to conduct training remotely – ultimately leading to a higher ROI.

Already in 2020, a study by pwc showed the following promising numbers:

Considering the rapid development of both hardware and software since then, the costs for developing and deploying immersive learning programs at scale can be assumed to keep falling.

Myth #8: Difficult to Implement

There is a misconception that integrating immersive learning into corporate training programs is complex and time-consuming. While it requires planning and a strategic approach, many solutions are user-friendly and designed with non-technical users in mind. This is not only true for software but also for hardware. Thanks to various Device Management Systems, the handling of larger numbers of VR headsets becomes rather easy.

Myth #9: Not Easily Scalable

Concerns about scalability often deter companies from adopting immersive learning. However, with cloud-based platform solutions on the rise and the increasing accessibility of VR and AR technologies, these learning experiences can be scaled and distributed across large organizations. Scalability is also aided by the availability of content on mobile apps or browsers, which favor easy access over full immersion.

To sum up

Immersive learning is not a mere buzzword. It is a strategic, learner-centric approach that transcends industry boundaries.

By dispelling these myths, organizations can unlock the full potential of immersive learning, driving innovation and excellence in employee training and development.

An invitation

As we challenge these myths, the call to action is straightforward:

the best way to truly understand the impact of immersive learning is to experience it firsthand.

I invite you to step into the world of immersive learning at our offices, where we can demonstrate how it can revolutionize your approach to training and development. By embracing this innovative method, you can unlock new levels of engagement, knowledge retention, and skill application that traditional methods simply cannot match. Let's move beyond the myths and explore the tangible benefits that immersive learning has to offer your organization.