How VR education can help third-world countries
Today, third-world countries like India, China, the Philippines, and many others lie at the brink of change. Their abundant human resource that has been an economic deterrent in the past has the potential to usher in revenue. But, the question remains—how do you train an employable skill to such a large population of mostly illiterate people without breaking the bank?
Virtual Reality (VR) education offers a revolutionary solution to this challenge. By providing immersive, hands-on training experiences, VR can help bridge the skills gap in developing nations without the need for expensive physical infrastructure.
“Young people from the poorest 20% of households are almost six times as likely to be unable to read like those from the richest 20% of households.” (Source: GEM Report, Policy Paper 20, p. 7).
We might have an answer with Virtual reality (VR)–a three-dimensional, computer-generated representation of physical worlds. VR is a promising option for training and development in third-world countries, and here is why:
Language independent:
VR involves training via experience and is independent of any language barriers. For example, a county like India where a total of 22 major languages and 720 dialects are spoken. VR is the only medium by which you can train people from all backgrounds using a single experiential training program for all languages.
Emotionally-charged learning experiences:
Because VR is so immersive and compelling, learners absorb information faster and retain what they have learned for more extended periods. Memory formation is directly linked to emotional responses, and VR is an emotionally-charged experience.
Training the masses:
VR is a vital tool for conducting training without worrying about real-world consequences. For example, health care organizations are increasingly using VR to train surgeons on new techniques in a risk-free environment. Imagine replicating the health care model in other professions that involve sensitive or critical operations. Besides initial training and orientation programs, VR can sharpen the skills of workers with difficult jobs without worrying about real-world consequences.
Cost-effective technology:
The cost of VR technology has significantly reduced in recent years. You can now send pre-loaded VR headsets with training experiences to remote field locations instead of the costlier option of deploying training personnel.
A well-designed VR training program can help you churn out skilled pilots, drivers, and trained workers in almost any employable skill.