While virtual reality training is still viewed as an innovative technology, it is already seeing significant adoption in the learning and development and education industries.
VR training is being used to simulate learning experiences for use cases ranging from insurance and healthcare training to customer service and sales training. Thanks to its increasing adoption in recent years, there are now plenty of tangible VR training examples you can use to guide your own research and adoption of the technology.
Whether you are planning to create your own custom VR training content, or are exploring off-the-shelf VR training content offerings, these VR training examples demonstrate the types of skills and use cases being trained in VR today.
Content covered in this blog post:
- Virtual Reality Training Examples
- VR Training Example 1: “Psychological Safety” Module
- VR Training Example 2: “Virtual Leadership” Module
- VR Training Example 3: “Effective Behavioral Feedback” Module
- VR Training Example 4: “Conflict Resolution” Module
- VR Training Example 5: “Supportive Leadership” Module
- Frequently Asked Questions
Virtual Reality Training Examples
Let’s take a look at some specific VR training examples that demonstrate what immersive learning experiences are like.
For each VR learning module covered in this blog post, we will:
- Show a preview of the immersive learning experience to give you an idea of what employees see in the VR headset when taking the training
- Offer a brief synopsis of what occurs in the scenario-based learning simulation
- List the learning objectives the module is designed to help employees accomplish
- Link to further information about the module
Related: Learning in the Metaverse: Understanding the Role Immersive Learning Content Plays in the Metaverse
VR Training Example 1: “Psychological Safety” Module
The first VR training example we’ll take a look at is a “Psychological Safety” learning module. Focusing on the concept of psychological safety in the workplace, this module uses interactive VR role playing scenarios to help employees understand the importance of psychological safety first hand.
Learners can practice different techniques for creating a safe and open work environment, applying skills such as empathy, humility and collaboration during the role play sessions with virtual human characters.
Learning Objectives Covered in this VR Training Module
- Foster inclusion safety and learner safety among varying workplace relationships
- Contribute to an inclusive workplace culture for diverse teams to express ideas, collaborate, and follow curiosity together
- Nurture creativity and innovation by taking risks, admitting to mistakes, and having a team-centric attitude
- Support team members positive mental wellbeing by creating a safe space to give and receive feedback
Learning Module Scenario Overview
The learner takes on the role of a video game developer and is tasked with addressing the issue of declining player engagement by exploring alternate settings in which the game can take place. They must facilitate a creative brainstorm session with their team, as well as manage up by delivering bad news to their Project Manager and CEO.
Upon completion of the VR training, learners receive a score and feedback based on the dialogue options they chose in the experience. Success is tracked based on how they established a psychologically safe environment, engaged in dialogue, and arrived at a shared, agreed upon conclusion.
Learn more about this VR training example: Psychological Safety
VR Training Example 2: “Virtual Leadership” Module
Next up in our list of VR training examples is a training topic that is hyper relevant in today’s workplace—virtual leadership skills. This “Virtual Leadership” VR training module is designed to help business leaders build the skills needed to successfully lead remote and hybrid teams.
Through role play scenarios that simulate remote communication and collaboration (think video conference call), employees can practice applying different leadership skills and techniques, such as cultural intelligence, inclusivity, and being present.
Learning Objectives Covered in this VR Training Module
- Demonstrate leadership skills like modeling leadership by being present, developing shared goals, and demonstrating curiosity and cultural intelligence while working virtually
- Effectively communicate tasks and make sense of organizational initiatives for their team, while working virtually through mindful awareness, before acting on them
- Engage diverse teams virtually, while implementing new technologies and tools
- Demonstrate cultural competency and inclusivity with their virtual teams
- Set goals and be flexible when addressing the root cause of organizational problems
Learning Module Scenario Overview
In terms of the narrative in this immersive learning module, learners will be challenged with the task of talking with their team about the mandate to use a new software tool. The software requirement was put in place since productivity has declined after the company adopted a blended attendance model and created rigid remote work policies. Learners will practice virtual leadership to be able to understand what the true concerns are for the team and how to utilize technology to alleviate those pain points.
Upon completion of the module, learners receive a score and feedback based on the dialogue options they chose in the experience. Success is tracked based on how effectively they provided virtual leadership, including how well they established trust, engaged in dialogue, and collaborated on the next steps.
Learn more about this VR training example: Virtual Leadership
VR Training Example 3: “Effective Behavioral Feedback” Module
The “Effective Behavioral Feedback” learning module presents itself as another interesting use case among the virtual reality training examples on the market. Designed to help employees understand the importance of behavioral feedback and how to deliver it constructively, the VR training module uses virtual human role play to place learners in simulated feedback conversations.
Learners must practice different techniques for providing feedback, and apply skills such as constructive feedback, managing difficult conversations, and positive reinforcement to navigate the training scenarios.
Learning Objectives Covered in this VR Training Module
- Conduct an engaging behavioral feedback discussion with an employee
- Use powerful questions and active listening to resolve an employee’s behavioral issues
- Collaborate with the employee to develop next steps for improvement
- Use psychologically safe language to promote honest dialogue
Learning Module Scenario Overview
In this learning module, learners must provide constructive feedback to a fictitious employee named Jack—Jack is an employee who recently used overly harsh words and a sharp tone to convey his frustration during a recent meeting. Several team members felt personally attacked and insulted by Jack’s behavior, so learners must help Jack see and understand why his behavior needs to change, and to agree on specific next steps for Jack to take going forward.
Upon completion of the VR training module, learners receive a performance score and feedback based on the dialogue options they chose in the experience. Success is tracked based on how effectively they provided behavioral feedback, including how well they established trust, engaged in dialogue, and collaborated on the next steps.
Learn more about this VR training example: Effective Behavioral Feedback
VR Training Example 4: “Conflict Resolution” Module
Next up is a widely applicable training topic that can be practiced realistically using VR: conflict resolution. The “Conflict Resolution” VR training module is designed to help employees understand different types of conflict, their respective root causes, and the best methods for resolving them effectively.
Through the module’s role-playing exercises, learners can practice different skills and techniques related to managing conflicts, such as assertive communication, understanding perspective and establishing resolution steps.
Learning Objectives Covered in this VR Training Module
- Use assertive communication to resolve conflicts in conversation
- Properly establish emotional composure
- Identify the perspective of the other party
- Assertively articulate their own perspective
- Identify the source of the conflict
- Properly utilize creative problem solving
- Establish resolution steps at the conclusion
Learning Module Scenario Overview
Learners are tasked with practicing assertive communication in conflict resolution while utilizing a 5-step process for resolving conflicts between oneself and another person. In this module, learners must utilize their conflict resolution skills as they organize an annual award ceremony for the organization alongside two colleagues with drastically different working styles.
Upon completion of the immersive learning scenario, learners receive a score and feedback based on the dialogue options they chose in the experience. Success is tracked based on how effectively they provided conflict resolution, including how well they demonstrated emotional composure, understanding perspective, identifying the source, creative problem solving, and the ability to establish resolution steps.
Learn more about this VR training example: Conflict Resolution
VR Training Example 5: “Supportive Leadership” Module
The “Supportive Leadership” VR training module focuses on four key areas: emotional intelligence, communication, feedback, and trust. It offers engaging scenarios and activities to help learners practice and apply these concepts in realistic situations.
Learning Objectives Covered in this VR Training Module
- Identify when an employee might be experiencing mental health challenges outside of the workplace
- Support an employee at work while they are navigating a time of crisis
- Tailor conversations to fit the person’s needs and context of the situation
Learning Module Scenario Overview
In this Supportive Leadership module, learners take on the role of Chief Operating Officer at a company that has experienced massive disruptions causing challenges to both management and employees. Through immersive conversations, learners will practice essential communication skills like psychological safety, purposeful inquiry, and empathy, to improve their leadership when faced with uncertainty.
Upon completion of the VR training simulation, learners receive a score and feedback based on the dialogue options they chose in the experience. Success is tracked based on how effectively they showed supportive leadership, including how well they actively listened, created psychological safety, and used purposeful inquiry.
Learn more about this VR training example: Supportive Leadership
Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Reality Training Examples
How is VR used in training?
VR is used in training to provide learners with immersive learning simulations to practice skills and scenarios that would be difficult to realistically replicate in real life. VR can simulate difficult situations in a safe and controlled environment, allowing learners to gain experience without risking emotional or physical harm to themselves or others.
For these reasons, VR training is used in a variety of industries and for a variety of training use cases, including healthcare, financial services, insurance, technology, sales training, and energy.
Related: Tower Hill Insurance Drives Workforce Innovation With Talespin
What is an example of virtual training?
An example of virtual training is a flight simulator used to train pilots. The simulator provides a realistic and immersive environment for pilots to practice flying and handle emergency situations. The simulator can replicate various weather conditions, air traffic scenarios, and malfunctions, allowing pilots to gain experience in a safe and controlled environment.
Other use cases for virtual reality training follow this same format: providing a realistic environment for simulating scenarios ranging from difficult workplace conversations to surgery and equipment maintenance. Virtual reality training can also be used for team building exercises, communication training, and other soft skills development use cases.
What are the different types of VR training?
The two predominant types of VR training are VR soft skills training and VR hard skills training use cases. VR soft skills training use cases use virtual reality to simulate conversations, presenting a more scalable and emotionally realistic version of role play training. Hard skills training scenarios on the other hand focus on training for technical skills and processes, such as assembling machinery, safety protocols, and learning about key objects and products.
What are some examples of VR?
Some examples of VR include gaming, education, healthcare, and tourism.
For example, VR games provide an immersive and interactive experience for players, allowing them to feel like they are part of the game’s virtual world. In education, VR can be used to provide learners with immersive learning scenarios that are hard to replicate in the real-world, like emotionally realistic role play conversations. In the healthcare industry VR is being used for things like pain management and training medical professionals. In the tourism industry, VR can provide virtual tours of famous landmarks and attractions.
Related: Skill Immersion Lab: JFF and SAP Bring Immersive Technology to High School Aged Learners
Final Thoughts About These VR Training Examples
The virtual reality training examples in this blog post showcase how VR is being leveraged for a range of training use cases, many of which are critical for employee development, and lack optimal alternative training methods in a hybrid work environment. Take advantage of these examples in your research as you consider how VR training may be a fit for your own organization.
Bonus Immersive Learning Tips and Insights
- Becoming Better Humans
- Top Soft Skills Insurance Employees Need to Succeed
- Metaverse 101: Explaining VR, AR, XR, And The Metaverse
- Learning in the Metaverse: Key Takeaways From the Experts
- Talespin Platform Update: Supporting the Immersive Learning Ecosystem
- Distributing Immersive Learning Content: An Overview of XR Devices, 2D Devices and LMS Integrations
- Immersive Learning Use Cases - A Look at The Companies Using VR Training
- How Does a Custom VR Training Content Creation Tool Work? - Overview of Key Features
- VR Training Platform Overview Guide - Talespin
- Virtual Reality Leadership Training Use Cases
- Virtual Reality Financial Services Training Use Cases
- Benefits of Virtual Reality Financial Services Training
- An Overview of Virtual Reality Training Solutions
- An Overview of VR HR Training Solutions
- Benefits of Virtual Reality Customer Service Training