By 2025, virtual and augmented reality will generate more than US$35 billion. This is what a study carried out by the financial group Goldman Sachs revealed. A large part of this amount must come from public and private companies - corresponding to more than US$ 16,1 billion.
With the weight of the numbers presented, you can see that these new technologies are here to stay, right? And in the world of training & development it is no different, appropriating applications in different areas, such as engineering, health and sales.
In this article, we will talk specifically about corporate education with augmented reality (AR), which is different from virtual reality, also well known by the acronym VR. In fact, we will explain this distinction. Just continue reading!
After all, what is augmented reality?
A simple way to start explaining this technology are the filters for photos and videos on the social network Snapchat, remember? Who has never done or seen a person with a dog face, for example? Or, have you played the Pokémon Go app, in which Pikachu and other species almost become part of the real world via your smartphone screen?
Well, augmented reality is the integration between the physical and virtual realms. Always through a screen, it is an interactive experience with the real world, in which a scenario seen with the naked eye by a user changes.
AR stimulates immersive sensations, making new elements naturally part of an environment. Its most common applications are in the areas of games, marketing and, of course, training.
Videos broadcast live and that have the addition of some computational graphic element in their scope can also be categorized as a type of augmented reality.
Why is it different from virtual reality
VR glasses are very popular. In fact, there are several brands, such as Samsung and Sony, popularizing the technology. In this type of experience, the user has their vision 100% replaced by a virtual scenario, using the aforementioned glasses, helmets, gloves, joysticks and/or sensors.
AR, on the other hand, presents itself as a complement or alteration of the real world. Did you understand the difference?
How AR can be applied in training
T&D professionals can use augmented reality to offer a unique learning experience, generating greater knowledge absorption and engagement.
Perhaps the greatest asset of AR is training based on simulations focused on very real actions. This way, it is assessed whether or not the employee is learning, targeting points for improvement to increase retention of the information transmitted.
Some AR applications in training:
- e-learning in general, adding elements such as infographics or recreations of corporate environments;
- decision-making by an industrial machine operator, for example, simulating risk situations;
- maintenance simulations of more robust and complex equipment;
- in the health sector, the experience of surgeries without patients to improve movements;
- simulations of assembling and repairing cars, planes, ships and much more.
Benefits of augmented reality in L&D
Companies that already use AR in their training are gaining a competitive advantage in the market. Below, we list the main benefits of incorporating it into corporate education:
Fast learning and feedback
Interaction with the real world facilitates and accelerates student learning. It also improves the efficiency of absorbing skills and competencies. On the part of the training professional, the possibility of instant feedback, evaluations and recurring updates is created.
More employee security
As already mentioned here, simulations in the most diverse areas are possible through augmented reality. Risky and/or complex situations can be trained safely. This reduces risks to employees, as well as possible wear and tear on equipment, for example.
Mass training
Because the AR application is mainly through a cell phone screen, you can train many people at the same time. An employee can take classes from their own device, through interaction with an application with built-in AR.
Cost reduction
Even because the employee uses their own cell phone, your company will not need to invest in equipment, simulations and machines to train them in certain situations. Another advantage is that everything can be done remotely, at the time and place that suits the student best.
Want to know more about it? Contact a specialist at Take 5!
