Dive Brief:
- Virtual reality and gamification have their place in employee training, but as Simon Chandler reports for Wired, it doesn't always mimic the actual experience that employees have on the job. This could set employees up for failure and disengagement.
- Several restaurant chains, including KFC and Honeygrow, have created VR trainings that make learning fun — with the hopes that they can engage and inspire millennial hires. Walmart, the military, and others are using VR in their training too.
- VR can make a positive impression on employees, but it needs to be used correctly and immerse employees in an environment similar to their actual jobs, Tuong H. Nguyen, principal research analyst at IT advisory firm Gartner, told Wired.
Dive Insight:
VR hasn't been widely adopted by employers but it's becoming an increasingly popular way to orient employees to the tasks and scenarios that they may encounter in their jobs.
The technology has been shown to be more effective than video training, increase engagement, and reduce bias in employee development programs. When gamification is added, it can have an even bigger impact because employees can more easily settle into it and have fun.
However, learning teams that choose to use VR as part of corporate training must carefully evaluate the accuracy of the VR training compared to the real world experience on the job itself. How can employers ensure they are giving employees the best possible training while using VR? Companies must be sure to audit and test their training materials regularly to ensure they teach necessary skills. Learning leaders should also solicit feedback about the experience from employees so it can be retooled when needed.
