Activity 2, Unit 2
I have been asked to select and critique a learning innovation for this blog post. This recent innovation I have chosen is learning with Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). I will analyze these technologies with a Trades and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) lens.
While the definitions of these technologies vary from expert to expert, I will be using Bardi (2022) definitions of the technologies. He defines VR as “the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment” (para. 2). Virtual reality often uses headsets that fully immerse the user within a 3D world. Augmented reality is defined by Bardi (2022) as an enhancement of “users’ real-world views with digital overlays that incorporate artificial objects” (para. 10). I have seen AR in practice where I work as students can point their phone camera at a wall. All of the wirings will appear digitally on their screen.
These technologies will be useful to aid in students’ development. They have been found to aid in training students in safety protocols (Sacks et al., 2012) and improve students’ knowledge retention (Chen et al., 2020). However, the cost of developing programs is exceptionally high. Day (2022), a VP at a VR development company, found that on average, a fully customized training program costs $50 000 to $150 000. This cost does not include the costs of the physical hardware (headsets) required, which typically cost $750-$1000. These headsets are also not optional, and to utilize the VR-developed investments in the hardware are required.
Another factor to consider for TVET is the inability to simulate realistic scenarios. To complete a task, many trades rely on different senses (touch and smell). For example, the sense of smell and taste in culinary arts. These senses are challenging to simulate, and currently, no devices can simulate taste and smell. In millwrighting, the ability to feel a small crack with your fingernail on a cylinder is also challenging to simulate. Perhaps one day these technologies will be able to simulate these senses but for now they are unable to.
This brings up the question, is the investment worth it? I would say currently, no…for now. The investment seems extremely high, with benefits limited. However, I could see in 5 years where the technology has evolved and gotten cheaper, which could change this analysis. What do you think?
References
Bardi, J. (2022). What is virtual reality: Definitions, devices, and examples. 3D Cloud Marxent. https://www.marxentlabs.com/what-is-virtual-reality/
Chen, F., Leng, Y., Ge, J., Wang, D., Li C., Chen, B., & Sun, Z. (2020). Effectiveness of virtual reality in nursing education: Meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research 22(9). https://doi.org/10.2196/18290
Day, N. (2022) Cost of custom virtual reality training: Full VR price, cost factors, And benefits. Roundtable Learning. https://roundtablelearning.com/cost-custom-virtual-reality-training-full-vr-price-cost-factors-benefits-2022/
Sacks, R., Perlman, A., & Barak, R. (2012, August 30). Construction safety training using immersive virtual reality. Construction Management and Economics, 31(9), 1005-1017. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2013.828844
December 29, 2022 at 12:24 pm
Hi Tim,
I’m with you on this, I am not sure the technology is quite there yet and I, too, wonder about the cost to implement and maintain this technology.
I was reading about VR and AR in medical training and can see some value there, but your example of the hairline crack in a cylinder is spot on. That said, I’m just reading the scholarship and poking around the internet, I have no experience with AR and wonder what kind of nuance it is capable of. I think it would be fun to try!
Sarah
January 4, 2023 at 6:20 am
Hi Sarah, thank you for your comment! I agree that medical simulations can be highly beneficial for learners. The AR technology I have seen is really cool and helpful for students, but when I heard the price tag, I was very surprised! I suppose, like everything, the cost of developing these will drop as technology evolves.
Tim
December 30, 2022 at 4:08 pm
Hi Tim,
I think the limitations of virtual reality (VR) that you reference, lack of specific senses, makes a lot of sense. I was looking at VR in medical education and although a newer learning tool, it has been established as an effective technology to advance training. That being said, there are times when clinicians need to rely on other senses than sight, such as smelling an infection before being able to see evidence, and I wonder if the supplantation of olfactory stimuli might be able to improve learning outcomes?
January 4, 2023 at 6:24 am
Hi Rebecca,
I think the supplantation is a great idea and I haven’t considered that. A lot of the research I found was in the medical field, and it was overall a very useful tool.
Tim
December 31, 2022 at 9:07 am
Hello Tim,
I appreciate your post, as I have been curious about AR and VR for teaching and learning. I have tried welding and heavy equipment simulators (examples below). It was exciting to jump in and practice with no risk. Khukalenko et al. (2022) claimed that virtual reality is gaining acceptance in education because of the potential to engage and motivate learners. However, Khukalenko et al. (2022) also stated that VR research provided mixed or negative evidence of VR being more effective in achieving learning outcomes than other learning supports. Some barriers to implementation are costs, cybersickness, overheating with extended use and lack of teacher training (Khukalenko et al., 2022).
Examples
Welding Simulator- https://youtu.be/zRYlERFsxVg
Heavy Equipment/Construction Simulator- https://youtu.be/qAwBzRE1Bjw and https://youtu.be/zfDKfwhSalE .
Reference
Khukalenko, I. S., Kaplan-Rakowski, R., An, Y., Vera, ·, & Iushina, D. (2022). Teachers’ perceptions of using virtual reality technology in classrooms: A large-scale survey. 27, 11591–11613. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11061-0
January 4, 2023 at 6:31 am
Hi Jessica,
Thank you for your post, I have also used the welding simulators, and they are very cool! They are pretty expensive, $60k (https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en/products/k4601-3) when compared to an industrial welder at about $30k. This provides students with a very safe environment to practice or explore a trade. For a previous paper, I remember seeing that students could only spend about 30 minutes in a VR headset before they felt the effects of cybersickness. I will try to find that article and pass it along to you!
Tim
January 3, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Hi Tim,
Well written post! I want to challenge some of your argument here, what are you basing your position on? You state “is the investment worth it? I would say currently, no…for now. The investment seems extremely high, with benefits limited. FIrst I am not sure the costing you have provided is accurate – I have seen instructors use apps with the cardboard headset in some disciplines to support specific learning outcomes. Is it possible that the benefits are greater in some disciplines or trades than others?
January 4, 2023 at 7:17 am
Hi Leeann,
Thank you for your comment. I should have been more specific, but you are correct that the benefits are greater in some disciplines than others. Even within a TVET context, some trades benefit from VR more than others, for example, welding, car painting, and crane operators. One commonality in the trades that can utilize VR is there is a commonly used tool that is utilized, welding has the electrode holder, car painting has the sprayer, and cranes have the joysticks. I will also look into some lower-cost options for VR/AR. Perhaps I am just looking at the more “high-end” solutions when a lower-cost solution will still benefit the learners!
Tim