Innovation and technology changed the educational landscape permanently. Virtual Reality in particular has created many new possibilities and approaches to learning. Thanks to VR, learners are immersed in immersive and interactive virtual environments for a more immersive learning experience than would have been the case with traditional learning methods. Rather than passively absorbing information, learners can actively engage in virtual scenarios and develop practical skills in a safe environment. This type of immersive experience not only promotes motivation, but also enables a deeper understanding of the learning content.
In our conversation with the renowned eLearning provider clickandlearn, we learn more about their vision of eLearning 4.0 and how they use Virtual Reality to improve their training. For more than 25 years, clickandlearn, as a total eLearning provider, has been bringing all kinds of content to its clientele, from LMSs to learning worlds, as individually and tailor-made as possible. In doing so, they use classic eLearnings as well as new learning formats such as real videos, photo stories, podcasts, and now VR training.
In this interview, we look at how the use of virtual reality makes their training more interactive, more appealing and effective and makes the teaching of complex topics tangible.
SB: If you consider the current market developments, it quickly becomes clear that you can no longer avoid new media and out-of-the-box thinking. Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Extended Reality are of course leading the way on the market. They represent the future of learning.
It was important for us to be on board right from the start. However, if you look at previous VR solutions and their approaches, you soon end up at a dead end. As an eLearning provider with many years of experience, we are very well positioned didactically and pedagogically, but in the execution and implementation of VR training, we are heavily dependent on the technical solutions of a learning platform like 3spin Learning.
Now we can concentrate on our core business.
SB: VR allows complex concepts to be visualized and grasped. Abstract ideas become vivid and easier to understand through virtual models or simulations. This creates a hands-on and low-risk training.
We looked at various providers in the VR Learning field, but from the first instant, we were enthusiastic about the working concept of 3spin Learning. The learning platform is a very well-thought-out, efficient, and targeted authoring tool.
We liked the personal contact and the support from the very first moment and now we are working intensively with the software. We have already designed and implemented the first VR training in-house, but also for our clients, and we are still enthusiastic about it.
We finally have a tool at hand that allows us to generate a modern state-of-the-art learning experience.
SB: In the current project, we are working on a very hot topic, cybersecurity. Here we try to work comprehensively for our clients in the content area as well. In this sense, we generate learning content on many different levels.
In addition to conventional learning methods, this cybersecurity learning world now also includes Virtual Reality. In this simulation, users not only receive haptic training, but also perform real actions and take on the role of a "bad guy".
The gamification aspect is further strengthened here: users change their perspective and enter an office building as cyber attackers. In this role-playing game, they have to try to gather as much information as possible for their attacks.
SB: Virtual learning provides the feeling of being in the middle of things through its immersive experience. The big advantage of immersion is that people feel more anchored in the subject. They feel emotions more strongly – specifically in this scenario where they experience a stressful situation.
In the role-playing game, they slip into the role of the "bad guy" and have to constantly make sure that they are not discovered. There are immediately a lot of emotions involved and this of course also helps to absorb learning experiences much more clearly.
This is real training that really stays in the memory.
SB: 3spin Learning simply enables us to bring our know-how to the streets, or in this case, to our customers.
In addition, we are on board with a forward-looking and modern technology that will continue to develop strongly in the coming years. We are happy to have found a partner in 3spin Learning with whom we have an uncomplicated, close, and efficient exchange in order to create the best eLearning content.
Stefan Berndorfer is a Content Creation & Training Specialist at clickandlearn, where he specializes in digital learning. His goal is to make learning management systems as easy and intuitive to integrate and use as possible. He also works on a sustainable learning and knowledge strategy to reach learners emotionally.