Maximize The Metaverse's Engagement Opportunities
Widespread adoption of the metaverse is just around the corner, which is also right on course to forever change how people experience digital learning through eLearning for corporate training. It’s true that not all companies are keen on jumping aboard the metaverse train. However, in most cases, the tremendous benefits of the technology, especially in terms of customer and employee engagement, cannot be ignored. We'll explore three ways the metaverse impacts corporate eLearning and how businesses can maximize the opportunity.
What Is The Metaverse?
The concept of virtual worlds experienced and shared by users over the internet may not be new. However, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg played a big hand in the recent surge of interest in this technology. After announcing Meta, the new social technology company that owns major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, Zuckerberg talked about the company’s new trajectory: to bring the metaverse to the global audience.
The metaverse is envisioned to be a network of interconnected, 3D spaces in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). These spaces and the immersive experiences they offer can be accessed with readily available hardware, like VR goggles and AR-compatible mobile devices.
How The Metaverse Changes Corporate eLearning As We Know It
In a hybrid workplace, employee eLearning largely depends on video conferencing. While somewhat effective, video conferencing is nowhere near as effective as in-person training, especially in terms of building a more tightly knit company culture.
That’s something that eLearning in the metaverse is set to change. Statistics show that VR-powered training achieves a retention rate of up to 75% [1]. That’s significantly higher than audiovisual learning with a retention rate of only 20%. Here’s how the metaverse makes it happen:
1. Simulating Real-Life Boardrooms And Workplaces
The metaverse is capable of creating virtual boardrooms that can give employees the sense of being in face-to-face interactions. Unlike video meetings with remote employees, trainers can make sure there are no distractions in the virtual environment. Since virtual spaces are highly customizable, trainers can also have instant access to teaching tools and materials for the learning experience. This includes whiteboards, file sharing, notes, and interactive elements within the virtual environment.
2. Life-Like Coaching Through Shared Virtual Workspaces
Collaboration during one-on-one coaching sessions is also possible through shared virtual workspaces. In fact, certain metaverse platforms are capable of presenting photorealistic projections of users to help cultivate professional relationships within organizations. Microsoft "Mesh for Teams," for example, features the "holoportation" technology that uses AR to render another person’s likeness in the user’s view. This takes online coaching experiences to a whole new level.
3. Incorporating Gamification Elements To Supercharge Engagement
A lot of business leaders initially perceived the metaverse as merely a gaming platform. However, it didn’t take long before they realized the technology’s potential in terms of marketing, CRM, and HR. Besides, gamification is a long-running strategy that businesses use to ramp up the employee experience. Using gamification elements like scoreboards, awards, and customizable avatars, companies can design eLearning experiences that bring out the best in employees.
Elements Of Engaging Employee eLearning Experiences In The Metaverse
Other than gamification elements, there are other factors that make eLearning experiences in the metaverse a success. Here are some examples:
1. Artificial Intelligence
When designing virtual eLearning programs, developers usually turn to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enable continuous optimization. For instance, AI services can be used to create automated virtual learning experiences through NPCs or non-player characters. These may function as the employee’s guide by answering frequently asked questions, providing real-time feedback, and evaluating their performance. Machine learning, on the other hand, can help eLearning programs in ways that users don’t directly see. For one, ML can use collected data from previous training sessions to fine-tune the course’s performance over time.
2. Environment Tailored To Learning
Since the metaverse is essentially a virtual world, developers have the opportunity to create customized environments tailored to a company’s eLearning objectives. Beyond digital meeting spaces, companies can create virtual workshops, offices, and presentation rooms to fit their needs. They can also create simulated environments where employees can test their decision-making and knowledge to handle real-life situations.
3. Multilingual And Customizable
Everything in the real world is currently occurring (or will happen) virtually in the metaverse. However, the real world is multicultural, human, and multilingual. That means it requires personalization, emotional engagement, and adaptation to linguistic, local, social, and cultural norms. For the metaverse to operate in a real-world environment, the multicultural component must carry over to the virtual space. The good news is that businesses can choose from tried-and-tested language service providers to integrate seamless translations into their eLearning programs.
References:
[1] 74 Virtual Reality Statistics You Must Know in 2021/2022: Adoption, Usage & Market Share
