No, we are not talking about the Multiverse…but rather the Metaverse, and we at Apprendoo want to feel a bit like pioneers by trying to introduce this concept in relation to the area we care so much about: online corporate training.
Index
What is the Metaverse?
The term Metaverse – born in the cyberpunk world in 1992 and now rising to prominence – was coined to describe an advanced evolution of the “virtual universe” concept.
The Metaverse is a three-dimensional digital environment in which users can interact with each other and the environment itself through virtual avatars. It is an immersive space that goes beyond existing virtual worlds by integrating elements of virtual reality, augmented reality and the Internet.
In the Metaverse, users can participate in a wide range of activities, similar to those in the real world – such as working, socializing, shopping, creating and sharing content, playing games, and more.
Large technology companies are exploring and investing in the Metaverse concept, envisioning it as a future way of living and interacting digitally. Indeed, avatars enable expression, honesty and psychological safety, and because of this, they could foster open communication – proving especially useful for those who are shy, introverted or have different needs.
However, it should be noted that while the term is widely used, its exact definition and practical implementation are still being developed and debated.
How to use the Metaverse in employee training
In the fascinating world of corporate training, the Metaverse emerges as an innovative frontier, a fertile ground where the possibilities of e-learning are transformed into immersive and engaging experiences.
The integration of the Metaverse into training represents an exciting prospect, where virtuality is no longer just a simulation, but an interactive environment where employees can learn, collaborate and grow in unprecedented ways. In short: we might be facing a New Era of Active Learning and Interactive Learning!
Let’s look at some aspects where Metaverse and digital education can intersect:
- Effective Onboarding. First impressions count: a well-structured and impactful onboarding process positively affects retention, Learners’ satisfaction, and new hires’ productivity. An experience in the Metaverse reduces training time and improves engagement levels.
- Compliance training delivered…safely. Yep, because thanks to the Metaverse, employees can practice in real time in a protected environment without fear of consequences. This will teach them how to make decisions and operate even under pressure in real-world settings.
- Technical Skills. Whether it is tools or software, assembly line or warehouse, installation or repair, you can take advantage of a virtual twin of the real environment – as we mentioned in the previous point.
- Customer Service and Sales. Well, yes: simulations can be created to handle any customer relationship situation and scenario.
In summary, the Metaverse becomes an excellent gymnasium for training employees in an immersive environment so that they can sharpen their skills and improve their work performance.
Metaverse and digital corporate training: the benefits
We have indirectly already brought up some of the benefits that the use of the Metaverse in employee training brings to the company. Not to mention that in recent years the ROI involved in it is becoming more and more evident.
In addition to onboarding, the Metaverse could play a central role in Upskilling and Reskilling processes, which are now becoming increasingly necessary and widespread.
Furthermore, the Metaverse:
- helps extend corporate training to employees across geographic boundaries and demographic peculiarities;
- as a result, it enhances scalability, engagement, retention and satisfaction;
- reduces training time and cognitive load.
In essence, the use of the Metaverse induces a positive behavioral change, provides an avenue for those who are off the learning curve to emerge, and keeps the company one step ahead of the competition.
The future of Metaverse in the universe of corporate training
The Metaverse undoubtedly offers companies the opportunity to overcome the traditional limitations of training by introducing realistic scenarios, detailed simulations and virtual interactions, which represent a significant breakthrough in the evolution of corporate Learning & Development strategies.
With this in mind, we enter the heart of a digital universe that promises to redefine the way we learn, work and connect in tomorrow’s business dynamics.
1. More accessibility
Employees with special needs will have the opportunity to train and train like others, in a safe environment and without feeling left out.
2. Training paths in virtual or hybrid environments
Exploring opportunities to develop practical skills through simulated real scenarios and high-pressure situations is a key element.
In this context, the Metaverse helps improve Learners’ engagement and facilitates practical application in the field.
3. Immersive virtual learning communities, groups and teams
The Metaverse can be the key first step in democratizing education, bringing together people from geographically dispersed places and diverse backgrounds to learn in a cheap, flexible and fast way.
For the time being, we point out that Elucidat – our favorite authoring tool – for instance, helps you create great courses for your employees, even if they are in different parts of the world and thus speak different languages.
4. Increase of Visualization and Storytelling
Videoconferencing platforms may soon find themselves outdated because of the ability to clearly anticipate and visualize a strategy or plan before their implementation, which the Metaverse offers.
5. Priority to the human side and development of interpersonal skills
Coaching and mentorship figures will assume increasingly significant roles-especially in the context of training on key skills such as communication, leadership, and listening.
Accurately assessing these skills is not an easy task, as it is difficult to identify and define a “perfect score.”
Immersing Learners in real-world conflict situations allows them to practice their daily responsibilities in a safe environment that puts them in a position to overcome challenging tests.
6. In-depth data analysis
With the Metaverse, the results and ROI of corporate training will be able to be analyzed with previously unthinkable data that will be able to unveil the factors driving Learner progress, identify gaps, and enable continuous improvement of the learning experience.
Participation scenarios, attention to detail, engagement statistics, behavioral analysis, predictive models, and much more information could help outline new approaches in corporate training.
Challenges and limits of the Metaverse in e-learning
The Metaverse is currently drawing a strong interest from investors who are looking to capitalize on what many believe to be the next evolution of the Internet-see Zuckerberg’s Meta case.
However, investor enthusiasm is countered by critical voices who argue that the term “metaverse” has been overused and misused, applied indiscriminately to projects related to games, virtual reality, and non-fungible tokens. Some believe that the definition of the term is vague and therefore approximate.
These criticisms raise a fundamental question: will people really be inclined to spend significant amounts of time in virtual worlds, especially considering the use of bulky devices?
The latter is certainly something that will create barriers to entry. Spielberg, in Ready Player One, showed us what life in the future might be like, torn between the real world and Oasis, between the tension toward the future and nostalgia for the analog world – by a population that is in poverty.
The real world, however, is not a movie….
In the real world, however, technology addiction could develop, with potential impacts on mental health and individual well-being. with a tendency toward social isolation.
Safety – in relation to privacy, too – emerges as another crucial issue, as the sharing of personal information and online interactions can generate concerns about hacking, identity theft and harassment. Indeed, moderating communities in the Metaverse presents new challenges, according to experts in the field.
In sum, while the metaverse promises innovative opportunities, it faces fundamental questions regarding its large-scale adoption, the need for regulation, security management, and community moderation.
In addition, there are other issues to consider:
- the costs associated with accessing and creating content in the Metaverse can be a barrier, limiting large-scale adoption, especially for small businesses with limited resources.
- The quality of the experience in the Metaverse is related to the available technology, with possible problems such as latency, low-quality graphics or lack of realism that may negatively affect users.
- Finally, the lack of standards and interoperability between different Metaverse platforms could hinder communication and content sharing between different virtual environments, compromising the cohesion of the Metaverse as a whole.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the Metaverse emerges as a potential catalyst for transformation in corporate training. Although it presents challenges and unanswered questions, the opportunities are equally evident. Its ability to offer immersive experiences, realistic simulations and collaborative interactions can revolutionize the way companies approach training and employee development.
The prospect of creating dedicated virtual learning environments where employees can acquire hands-on skills in a simulated context could reduce training costs and accelerate the skills acquisition process. The adoption of the Metaverse could be a significant step toward a more flexible and accessible learning model.
However, it is essential to address challenges related to accessibility, inclusiveness, privacy and security to ensure that the Metaverse in corporate training is a healthy and productive environment. Regulations must adapt as these technologies evolve to ensure ethical and responsible use.
Ultimately, the Metaverse offers an intriguing landscape for corporate training. Anyway, success will depend on the ability to overcome current challenges and shape a virtual environment that lives up to expectations and expected benefits.
Until next time!
#neverstoplearning
