Virtual Reality is a booming technology that has found its way into a wide variety of fields, including education and training. The ability to immerse students or workers in immersive experiences that allow them to explore and learn in a safe and controlled environment is one of its main advantages. However, at first glance, it may seem that the cost of implementing this technology can be a limiting factor. Is Virtual Reality training actually more expensive than traditional training?
Virtual Reality training is cheaper than traditional training
According to a study conducted by PwC that analyzes the effectiveness of training with Virtual Reality, despite the decreasing cost of software creation over time, it requires a 47% higher initial investment compared to traditional training.
However, the study concludes that when offered to a sufficient number of students, training in immersive environments is more cost-effective as it takes less time to cover the same content. Therefore, considering only the cost of employee time, VR becomes a better investment.
Applying this reasoning to specific figures, PwC estimates that with just 375 students, the implementation cost would be equal between a traditional educational model and one based on Virtual Reality. Based on these variables, they also calculate that with 3,000 students, using VR would reduce costs by 52%; with 6,000 students, by 58%; and with 10,000 students, by 64%.
Virtual Reality training is faster than traditional training
On the other hand, the report mentions that digital natives, which refers to the first generation that has grown up using digital technology, experienced some initial difficulties in using Virtual Reality headsets. However, once they felt comfortable, the majority of them found them easy to handle.
Specifically, education through Virtual Reality was three times faster than in a traditional classroom, even after accounting for the extra time needed to onboard new users who are using Virtual Reality headsets for the first time.
In conclusion, the price of Virtual Reality technology may seem costly at first glance, but it is important to consider the return on investment and its future utilization. In many cases, investing in this type of technology can be highly profitable, especially when compared to the cost of alternatives like traditional teaching methods.
Furthermore, Virtual Reality technology offers a range of unique benefits that cannot be obtained through traditional teaching. It has the ability to immerse students in interactive and realistic virtual environments, facilitating information assimilation and student engagement in the learning process. Additionally, Virtual Reality can provide a more personalized learning experience tailored to the individual needs of each student.
Ultimately, the decision to invest in Virtual Reality technology will depend on the specific needs of each company and educational institution. However, it is important to carefully consider the long-term benefits when making this decision.