Alternative realities like Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR and AR) have been around for a while, but they have always carried the sense of being complex and expensive to engage with. No longer. Thanks to lower hardware costs, better software and a growing understanding of good practice, they have moved from a fancy idea to an achievable actuality. In this share we share what’s now possible, and how you can step into VR and AR yourself.

Beyond the hype: putting extended realities to work for learning

Virtual and Augmented reality (VR and AR) have moved from the heights of inflated expectations to the being another tool in L&D’s box. That’s due to better, lower-cost tools (and some that are free) and a growing body of good practice. This includes smart ways of working with rapid prototyping, using existing tech cleverly (you’d be amazed what you can do with a phone!) and learning from others who are already doing great work with limited budgets.

In this session we explore the growing reality of the regular use of extended realities in training, and consider where they are heading next. We’ll explore an example of how one public-sector body in the UK is using VR effectively for a range of training, and step back and consider what this means for other extended realities.

• Why re-usable content assets beat one-off production
• Why thinking about XR should start with learning, not hardware
• Using VR for induction and onboarding
• The value you already have in the phone in your pocket
• Where extended realities for learning may be heading