Immersive technology tools are transforming the way we work and learn. Coaches and independent trainers, in particular, are adopting immersive technology to create a more engaging and practical learning experience for their clientele. These tools allow coaches to design and deliver training that brings their clients’ skills to the next level and prepares them for the future of work.
Immersive technology uses 360-degree video, simulations, and CGI to extend reality or create a new reality—encompassing Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). This innovative technology is being adopted in various environments like universities, corporate training programs, and the private coaching industry to enhance learning.
Coaches are well aware the workplace and corporate landscape are changing, and they’re turning to immersive technology tools to better meet their clients’ needs. However, there’s often an initial barrier to implementing them as coaches navigate what they are and how to utilize them.
Let’s begin by diving into what immersive technology is and how it’s changing the future of work. Then, we’ll review 7 immersive technology tools to implement in your coaching program and how they can benefit your clients.
What are Immersive Technology Tools?
Immersive technology tools leverage 360-degree video and XR (umbrella term covering VR, AR, and MR) to create an environment that extends our view of reality. From 360-degree video tours to immersive training simulations in VR, these tools allow users to experiment with new places and experiences without real-world risks.
Immersive technology is already becoming mainstream in educational and workplace settings. The PwC 2022 US Metaverse Survey found that 51% of companies are currently integrating VR or already have. BMW engineers are using AR for prototyping new vehicles. In the healthcare industry, surgeons are training for new procedures with VR simulations, allowing them to hone their skills without the risk of learning through real-life surgery.
For training purposes, learning and development (L&D) professionals can utilize immersive technology to deliver more engaging onboarding experiences and upskilling programs within the organization. For example, Accenture uses a virtual campus to onboard new hires and train employees in VR.
Coaching aims to upskill individuals and increase confidence in their decision-making abilities to reach their career goals. Independent trainers and coaches understand the workplace is changing, and are searching for new ways to better serve their clients and prepare them for the future of work. As a result, they’re turning to immersive technology tools to create, deliver, and report on their training programs. These tools create engaging and time-efficient learning experiences for clients that train technical and soft skills.
7 Immersive Technology Tools for Coaches
Virtual Meetings and Conferences
Meetings and conferences in the Metaverse provide a more stimulating environment for attendees than the typical Zoom call. Coaches can pitch their services to potential clients in a VR conference where participants attend with personalized avatars and can learn, network, and ask questions.
Immersive technology creates a more interactive, dynamic experience for potential clients to explore your business offerings. By demonstrating training sessions in VR, your clients get an immersive view of your training program and can explore its features.
VR Assessments
VR assessments allow you to integrate an aspect of gamification into your clients’ training experience. Who wouldn’t prefer an assessment in VR to a standard online test? A survey by TalentLMS found that 84% of participants feel gamification increases their engagement. Gamification makes learning more exciting and allows clients and coaches to track progress.
In the initial onboarding of new clients, VR assessments allow you to determine areas in a client’s skill set that need improvement. You can then use this information to create an individualized learning experience for each client and track their growth against the results of their initial assessment.
360-Degree Video
360-degree video, otherwise known as immersive video, gives viewers a 360-degree view of their surroundings. Viewers engage with the video by moving their device (or their head in a VR headset) to explore their surroundings. 360-degree videos prevent clients from becoming passive observers during a training session.
If your focus as a coach is leadership skills training, you might use a 360-degree video demonstrating an impactful story on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. These immersive videos allow us to see the world from others’ point of view who experience day-to-day life differently and encounter unique challenges in the workplace, such as employees with disabilities.
As opposed to standard video, this puts your client in the protagonist’s shoes and requires them to be an active viewer of the story. As we’ll touch on later, immersive technology is a powerful tool for soft skills training.
VR Learning Modules
Virtual reality completely shuts users out of the real world and immerses them in a new reality. VR learning modules are training sessions that users can complete at their own pace and repeat if needed. Gamified VR learning modules promote even higher engagement and information retention.
Coaches can learn how to integrate VR learning modules into their training repertoire in Edstutia’s VR campus. Edstutia’s Instructor Certification in XR (ICXR) program even walks you through how to design a custom VR-enhanced learning module.
Simulations
VR Simulations place clients in a designed experience that replicates a real-life situation. Simulations are a game-changer for training because they can’t often be replicated in real-life, and they allow users to experiment with different outcomes with less anxiety and virtually no risk. Business simulations, in particular, can be used for leadership and management training to provide alternative viewpoints of a situation and provoke empathy in the viewer.
Presentations and Pitches in VR
Clients can practice their public speaking and sales skills by giving presentations and pitches in VR. The fear of public speaking affects almost three out of four people. Therefore, it’s an important skill to boost your clients’ confidence in the professional world.
We all know practice makes perfect, but how can you practice public speaking or a sales pitch without an audience? This is where VR comes in. Your clients can give speeches in VR to a virtual audience. Edstutia modules encourage live conversation within cohorts that help clients refine their public speaking skills. Users can build their presentation skills in a realistic environment with less anxiety and pressure.
VR Soft Skills Training
Soft skills training is the second most commonly requested training in VR. Building soft skills can be challenging, requiring hands-on experience and unlearning negative behaviors. A study conducted by LinkedIn found that 89% of recruiters say that when a new hire doesn’t work out, it’s usually a result of lacking soft skills.
Clients seeking independent training realize the importance of soft skills training to become successful leaders and team players. It’s important to equip your clients with the skills they need to reach goals like landing their dream job, getting promoted, or becoming better at networking.
The Metaverse allows users to leave the distractions of their physical environment behind and become immersed in exercises that evoke empathy. Additionally, VR provides a safe space to practice without fear or guilt of making mistakes. Simply put, immersive technology tools are a more efficient way to build clients’ soft skills.
What are the Benefits of Immersive Technology?
Better Engagement and Adaptability
Think back to your most memorable and valuable learning experiences. They probably didn’t involve a book read or long, dry lessons on a slide deck. That’s precisely why immersive learning is the best strategy for engaging clients and delivering a memorable coaching experience. Studies show VR training yields a retention rate of up to 80% one year after training versus 20% for traditional training.
Immersive technology tools also provide clients with a more user-centralized learning experience that adapts to their learning style. Everyone learns differently, and coaching clients often seek a personalized, adaptive learning experience. You can utilize a combination of immersive technology tools depending on your client’s goals. Then, they can complete exercises like VR simulations and assessments at their own pace and repeat as needed.
Upskilling with Immersive Technology Tools
Another benefit of training with immersive technology is challenging clients who don’t have extensive experience with it. What better way to prepare them for the future of work than to integrate it into their training? If the pandemic has taught us anything, learning how to adapt to change and upskilling for what’s ahead is crucial to long-term job success.
Soft skills, in particular, are becoming increasingly important in the workforce following the pandemic. For leaders, training on situations like navigating a crisis and disagreeing with employees is essential. VR more efficiently trains the soft skills required for these challenges, such as communication, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
Immersive technology tools like VR simulations give clients the confidence they need to thrive in the workplace of tomorrow. A PwC study found participants trained with VR were up to 35% more confident to act on what they learned than participants trained with traditional e-learning.
Data Analysis
Another benefit of immersive technology is the ability to analyze data. When using tools such as VR simulations and assessments, you can track your clients’ progress against their goals. The time it took to complete, the number of tries, eye tracking, and more can help determine the activity’s success and room for improvement. This valuable data simultaneously enhances the client’s experience and allows you to identify areas where you can improve your services.
Virtuality
We should all prepare for the future of work, which is why technology is vital for your coaching business. Technology already enables coaches to bring their independent training to clients at scale, regardless of location. Immersive technology tools make long-distance coaching easier and more engaging for both parties. Ultimately, immersive technology enables coaches to better serve and connect with their clients at any time and place.
Immersive Technology Tools: Wrap-Up
Immersive technology tools enable you to give clients an individualized, engaging learning experience. At this point, you might want to begin adopting immersive technology to enhance your coaching repertoire. If you aren’t sure where to start, teaming up with an expert to learn how to design and deliver impactful content is crucial.
Edstutia’s ICXR program is designed to help coaches and independent trainers understand the potential of immersive technology. You’ll learn how to leverage these tools for a competitive edge that will help attract and retain clients. The ICXR program equips coaches with the necessary knowledge and tools to adopt them into their training programs. We’ll show you how to create XR-enhanced learning modules and other tools for impactful training your clients will get excited about.
Learn about our ICXR program and how Edstutia can help you begin implementing immersive technology in your coaching practice.