“Skills Tracking Makes Flexibility and Adaptability Visible”

The advantages of immersive learning environments have long been known. What are the advantages of combining them with skills tracking?

Dr. Leila Mekacher: Immersive learning environments have proven that they revolutionize the way knowledge is transferred. They allow content to be understood not only theoretically, but also to immerse learners in realistic applications through interactive scenarios. However, it is only in combination with skills tracking that they unfold their full potential, as a precise skills analysis reveals which skills are being developed, where potential can be found and how targeted support can be provided.

By actively interacting with their virtual environment, learners are no longer just passive consumers of knowledge. In addition to technical skills, they develop transferable skills such as problem-solving skills, stress resistance and the ability to work in a team, which are required in various professional environments. Skills tracking makes flexibility and adaptability visible, identifies individual strengths in real time and enables personalized learning paths.

An example which illustrates this connection is the EU-funded Metautism Green ASC VET project, which focuses on integrating autistic people into vocational training and the workforce through immersive technologies. My company, Innoversa Factory, is working with partners from Croatia, Portugal, Belgium, Denmark and Hungary on the development of 360° VR and XR simulators and is using a skills tracking platform with VR simulations for over 15 professions to prepare neurodivergent people specifically for professional challenges by training and developing their skills.

As immersive learning environments also require pedagogical and didactic concepts, we also develop training courses for interactive and practical XR-based learning methods that enable sustainable and application-oriented knowledge transfer.

Immersive learning environments not only allow job-relevant skills to be trained in a practical setting. Skills tracking also analyzes in real time how confidently participants deal with the virtual challenges. This facilitates the adaptation of learning paths to individual needs and specifically promotes the development of skills relevant to the job market, such as time management, accuracy or social interaction in professional contexts.

This benefits not only neurodivergent people, but also other target groups, including trainees, professionals in advanced training programs or career changers preparing for new professional challenges. The technology creates a flexible and individualized learning environment that can be adapted to different learning needs and therefore enables efficient and practical skills development for a wide range of user groups.

I am currently working with partners in the region on a STEM program that combines practical, creative learning methods with innovative technologies to get young people interested in technical professions. By using VR simulations in a targeted way, participants can learn complex physical or engineering concepts in a fun way by facing realistic challenges in interactive scenarios.

These include setting up a water supply system in a virtual laboratory or designing an autonomous robot to teach STEM skills in a practical context. In the skills assessment phases of this program, immersive simulators can be used specifically to identify the individual strengths and development potential of participants.

Skills tracking automatically analyzes which skills are developed in these scenarios - from logical thinking to the ability to make strategic decisions. This allows for targeted support that is tailored to the learner's individual potential and professional interests.

Which are the areas of implementation of immersive learning environments with skills tracking in education and training?

Dr. Leila Mekacher: A key area of usage is in academic and vocational training. Universities and vocational schools use immersive technologies to prepare students and trainees for real-life professional environments in a practical way. Skills tracking allows for the precise identification of strengths and weaknesses so that targeted support activities can be developed. In technical fields, for example, knowledge of machines or software can be trained realistically and optimized through real-time feedback.

Another important area of use is in career guidance. Young people and career changers can try out different professional fields in virtual scenarios before choosing an apprenticeship or university course. Skills Tracking analyzes their interactions and strengths to provide targeted recommendations for suitable career paths. This can be a valuable decision-making tool, particularly in manual, technical or medical professions.

This technology also offers significant advantages in teacher training and the development of new teaching methods. Teachers can use immersive scenarios to test digital teaching concepts in practice and get individual feedback through skills tracking. This contributes to the targeted improvement of teaching methods and their adaptation to the learners' needs.

To summarize, immersive learning environments with skills tracking are particularly useful in academic education, vocational training and career guidance. The data-based analysis of individual learning progress makes training more efficient, sustainable and practical.

In which areas are the high costs justified?

Dr. Leila Mekacher: The implementation of immersive learning environments initially requires a considerable investment. However, these costs are justified, especially in education, training and vocational qualification, as they enable more efficient, practical and customizable knowledge transfer in the long term.

Teachers and trainers benefit from testing innovative teaching methods, expanding digital skills and responding specifically to the learners' requirements. Especially in STEM courses and technical professions, immersive teaching units can be designed that are more interactive and motivating than traditional teaching methods.

Finally, investments in immersive learning technologies also pay off quickly for companies and training institutes. When it comes to areas with extensive training requirements, high employee turnover or a shortage of specialist staff, efficient onboarding and training programs help to reduce costs, cut onboarding times and ensure that employees are qualified in the long term.

What role does artificial intelligence play in immersive learning environments and skills tracking?

Dr. Leila Mekacher: The combination of virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) marks the next big revolution in knowledge transfer, skills development and the management of learning experiences. While VR creates immersive training environments, AI ensures that these scenarios are dynamic, intelligent and adaptive. Combined with skills tracking, a new quality of learning analysis and skills development can be achieved.

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