Kick-start your day with Morning Buzz, the ever-popular “Early Bird” discussions. This is your chance to grab a cup of coffee and meet other conference attendees in a relaxed, casual environment, so you can share your best practices, insights, and tips while learning from one another’s experiences.

Kick-start your day with Morning Buzz, the ever-popular “Early Bird” discussions. This is your chance to grab a cup of coffee and meet other conference attendees in a relaxed, casual environment, so you can share your best practices, insights, and tips while learning from one another’s experiences.

Kick-start your day with Morning Buzz, the ever-popular “Early Bird” discussions. This is your chance to grab a cup of coffee and meet other conference attendees in a relaxed, casual environment, so you can share your best practices, insights, and tips while learning from one another’s experiences.

Kick-start your day with Morning Buzz, the ever-popular “Early Bird” discussions. This is your chance to grab a cup of coffee and meet other conference attendees in a relaxed, casual environment, so you can share your best practices, insights, and tips while learning from one another’s experiences.

Kick-start your day with Morning Buzz, the ever-popular “Early Bird” discussions. This is your chance to grab a cup of coffee and meet other conference attendees in a relaxed, casual environment, so you can share your best practices, insights, and tips while learning from one another’s experiences.

Kick-start your day with Morning Buzz, the ever-popular “Early Bird” discussions. This is your chance to grab a cup of coffee and meet other conference attendees in a relaxed, casual environment, so you can share your best practices, insights, and tips while learning from one another’s experiences.

Kick-start your day with Morning Buzz, the ever-popular “Early Bird” discussions. This is your chance to grab a cup of coffee and meet other conference attendees in a relaxed, casual environment, so you can share your best practices, insights, and tips while learning from one another’s experiences.

The immersive technology market continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Over $6 billion has been invested in AR, VR, and related technologies since 2012; this has fueled a transformation in how we will interact with media. The changes will open up huge opportunities for education and training, but they will also introduce new questions and challenges. It’s critical that we understand this evolving landscape before we take our first steps.

In this opening keynote, you will explore research from ARtillry, SuperData, and The eLearning Guild that will shed light on the growing landscape of immersive technology. Starting with the adage of “follow the money,” you will examine investments into these technologies and then dig deeper to see how actual platforms are evolving in both the consumer and enterprise spaces. You will also be exposed to information including hardware sales figures and survey data to gain an understanding of what the short-term and long-term opportunities are for learning and development. 

In a highly technical or complex classroom, trainers struggle to pass knowledge to learners in a manner that is both impactful and engaging. Technical classrooms include elaborate and costly pieces of equipment that are not easily shared among all learners in the classroom at the same time. Technical classes may also include diverse learners of varying technical ability and comprehension. How can AR help in this environment?

This session will explore the use of AR in Aristocrat Technologies’ innovative teaching experience for casino games repair. You will be shown step-by-step how AR was used to turn a technical “Games 101” class into a learner-focused, interactive experience modeled directly after the employees’ daily work responsibilities. You will explore scenarios in which AR worked well or presented challenges to trainers and learners. Finally, you will learn how AR became a cost-saving tool for the learning solutions department.

In this session, you will learn:

• How to utilize AR to engage learners of varying technical skills and technical backgrounds
• How to cut technical classroom costs using AR
• How to take learners out of the classroom into real-time work environments
• How BYOP (bring your own phone) can work in a technical classroom
• How to incorporate AR into a technical curriculum
• How AR and the instructor can work together in a technical training environment

Audience:

Designers, developers, and managers.

Technology discussed in this session:

Zappar application, 360-degree digital cameras, smartphones, and tablets.

Confused about 360-degree video? Not sure where to start, what hardware to use, what software to edit with, where to publish it, or how to use it in your next eLearning course? This session will address all these questions using a hands-on approach.

In this session, participants will identify a project, identify issues with shooting 360-degree video, shoot the video (using a 360-degree camera), edit the video, and publish it using the latest tools and resources. At the end of the workshop, you’ll know exactly what to do to shoot and publish your next 360 video.

In this session, you will learn:

• What 360-degree video is, and how it’s different from VR
• How to shoot 360-degree video and its drawbacks
• How to edit 360-degree video
• How to publish 360-degree video

Audience:

Designers, developers, and managers.

Technology discussed in this session:

360-degree video, Ricoh Theta V camera, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, and YouTube publishing using Adobe Media Encoder.

Technology required:

Laptop running Adobe Premiere Pro (latest version) or Final Cut Pro with 360-degree plugin.

You’re building VR simulators, and you need to either scale up your company’s production capabilities or get more productivity out of the staff you have. Join this session to discuss a real-world case study that demonstrates the steps followed to accomplish both goals.

This session will use AAA video game development practices as a guide to help define best practices around building teams and increasing productivity. You will learn how to address changing needs, as well as the best ways to maintain motivation when working in complexity.

In this session, you will learn:

• How to build a multi-disciplinary team
• How to conduct performance management
• How to manage change as you build for scalability
• How to motivate and reward staff working on complex technical projects

Audience:

Managers and senior leaders (directors, VP, CLO, executive, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

Virtual reality.

3-D content is phenomenally cool—from basic polygonal models to full human-like characters, buildings, vehicles, and even complete environments. Because 3-D content has historically taken vast resources (i.e., time and money) to create, 3-D resources are often relegated to video games, simulations, and/or VR only. However, creating, editing, or obtaining 3-D models for everyday use in eLearning doesn’t have to be cost-prohibitive or take a lot of time.

This session will discuss tools, software, and online sites that allow you to create, edit, customize, and display 3-D models—all available to use right now. You’ll explore what’s out there, what each tool does, and possible ways to use the elements within your existing content. These resources are free or “near-free,” requiring little in up-front costs. You’ll also learn how to use 3-D content in photos, images, animations, vignettes, and even VR demos and full-blown simulations. Finally, you’ll explore real-world solutions and possible ways to use 3-D: reusable characters with editable facial expressions and poses, customized 3-D objects and backgrounds, and embedded real-time 3-D object viewers.

In this session, you will learn:

• About available tools, software, and resources to create 3-D content
• About the basics of 3-D character creation
• What rigging/posing is
• What blendshapes are
• About various open-source 3-D tools
• How to easily add 3-D to eLearning

Audience:

Designers, developers, and managers.

Technology discussed in this session:

Mixamo, TurboSquid, and Sketchfab. Participants may download the following solutions prior to the session, though they are not required: Blender, Adobe Fuse CC, and MakeHuman.

Virtual reality has exploded over the past year, extending to conversations in the mobile, gaming, and video landscape. There’s a rapidly rising interest in how to use this new technology for learning and performance. With “VR” now one of the hottest buzzwords, how much is hype and how much is substance?

In this session, you will explore the current state of virtual reality in 2018. You will see examples of virtual reality in practice in both the consumer and enterprise markets. You will examine what’s working—and what’s not—and how you can apply those lessons to learning and development.

In this session you will learn:

• About the critical components of a virtual reality experience
• How early adopters are using VR for L&D
• About common mistakes to avoid
• What questions to ask to determine whether VR is right for your organization
• How consumer-led VR is shaping VR’s use in training

Audience:

Novice to advanced designers, developers, managers, and executives.

Technology discussed in this session:

Virtual reality platforms, including multiple types of hardware and software.

Some job requirements can be hard to practice. Simulating tasks may be too dangerous, too expensive to set up, or too hard to distribute to employees across geographies. Vistual reality is a viable solution to address such challenges. In VR, risks are free, design and development can be cheaper than setting up real-world training scenarios, and, as VR headsets can easily be shipped to different places, the need to fly people into locations for training is reduced.

In this session, you will expolore a VR simulation case study from the military, in which a VR simulation is used to improve communication and operator compliance with the expectation of saving lives. Lessons learned and best practices will be shared with the audience.

In this session you will learn:

• The ROI potential of VR simulations
• How VR can be used to reduce training and operations risks
• How communication can be improved in VR simulations
• The process of taking a VR training idea from concept to implementation

Audience:

Managers and senior leaders (directors, VPs, CLOs, executives, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

Virtual reality, augmented reality, 3-D immersion.

We’ve all heard that VR training experiences have a proven higher retention rate, with retention gains reaching 75 percent in comparison to standard video, eLearning, or textbook training. What we need to know is how to create and deploy VR training quickly and cost effectively, with the systems we have today. This session will cover the creation, editing, publishing, and tracking of VR training using 360 video.

In this session, you will learn about the creation, editing, publishing, and tracking of VR training using 360 video. You will explore the potential learning applications for using VR, and how it can be integrated into your current learning environment.

In this session, you will learn:

• The differences between VR, AR, and MR
• About CenarioVR, a new tool for creating VR training
• How to link multiple 360 videos together to create a story
• How to add interaction and instruction to your VR project

Audience:

Designers, developers, managers, and senior leaders (directors, VPs, CLOs, executives, etc.).

Getting started with augmented reality can be hard and can require complex code. What if you are not a coder and still want to build some level of augmented reality for your learners? Luckily, Wikitude Studio makes it easy to build augmented reality experiences.

In this hands-on session, you will gain the experience of what it takes to get started with Wikitude Studio; how to build markers, and content that shows when those markers are visible; and how to publish your content for your learners. In the end, you will walk away with your own AR app!

In this session, you will learn:

• How to get started using Wikitude Studio
• How to create markers
• How to create content that shows up when markers are visible
• How to publish your content for your learners

Audience:

Designers, developers, and managers.

Technology required:

Wikitude Studio.

You’ve heard the buzz: Virtual reality for learning and development is coming! Are you intrigued? Do you really want to hear about a successful VR learning program and how it was developed, start to finish? Join this informative session with a case study to help you make the leap from theory to practice.

In this session, you’ll learn about the journey to create Hilton’s business simulation and, through this, what types of business and learning challenges are a good fit for VR; how to be a pioneer and get buy-in from senior leaders; and lessons learned related to technology, process, and resources. Through this case study session, you’ll learn best practices to help you bring your content to life with VR.

In this session, you will learn:

• How an effective VR learning solution was developed to meet a critical business need
• What types of business and learning challenges may be solved by VR solutions
• How to get buy-in from senior leaders for a VR solution
• Best practices that will help you launch VR in your organization

Audience:

Managers and senior leaders (directors, VP, CLO, executive, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

360 immersive experiences and 3-D immersive environments for Oculus.

VR and AR are here. Apple ARKit and Google ARCore are turning two billion phones into a magic lens that can arm your workforce with superpowers. Full-body VR offers a digital rehearsal space of such convincing verisimilitude that learners feel they are actually there. How are Fortune 500 companies driving business results by leaving the glowing rectangular screens behind to step into the virtual and augmented reality of the future?

The new-generation phone-based AR can make the real world the canvas of any number of learning activities, from scavenger hunts to performance support. Meanwhile, VR is used as a “flight simulator” for any technical task that’s too dangerous, expensive, or inconvenient to practice in real life. It is also hailed as the “ultimate empathy machine” for any soft skill training. In this session, you will learn how industry leaders from healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing are ushering in a new era of experiential and visceral learning with mixed reality.

In this session, you will learn:

• How a large number of enterprise-scale organizations have already demonstrated dramatic performance improvements with VR learning
• How to leverage the cost of developing for VR and AR by deploying the same simulation to any flat-screen device, including desktops, tablets, and phones
• How to develop VR and AR learning programs, along with typical timelines and budgets
• How to make the business case for virtual and augmented reality learning

Audience:

Managers and senior leaders (directors, VP, CLO, executive, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

ARKit, ARCore, Unity, HTC Vive, and Oculus Rift.

Virtual reality is a developing medium that requires a fresh approach and planning for case-based learning projects. Unlike traditional framed video, there are no close-ups, no pans, no reveal; everything is in frame all the time. Every aspect, from storyboarding to the design process to filming, must be approached from a new perspective and refined as you learn from previous projects.

Using a case study as an example, this session will walk you through the new challenges of shooting 360 video. Over 100 years of film rules no longer apply. You’ll see how using layering and virtual reality objects can further enhance the user experience. You will learn a process for designing, storyboarding, and preparing for whatever new wrinkles 360 video production brings.

In this session, you will learn:

• How to approach storyboarding for a 360 video with embedded VR elements
• How to utilize layering in the design process to augment your 360 video with virtual reality
• About some of the challenges of filming 360 video
• How to further refine your virtual reality production

Audience:

Designers.

Technology discussed in this session:

360 video, virtual reality, LG 360 Cam (R105), Samsung Gear 360 (2017), Samsung Gear VR (v2), Google Daydream View, GoPro 360 rig, Wonda VR storyboarder, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Instructional videos are an important tool when frontloading instructional content, but they are limited when it comes to engaging learners with real-world simulations. This session will provide an in-depth examination of how one team expanded their content offerings by developing a gamified driving simulation. The simulation was designed to introduce Honda sales consultants to a new advanced-powertrain vehicle, and show them how its complex powertrain operates when driving in different environments.

In this session, you’ll learn of the challenge to support a recent advanced-powertrain vehicle launch with a major OEM, and how the team wanted to expand content offerings beyond video instruction. You’ll learn how they developed a gamified driving simulation that applied the company’s national advertising research. You’ll see the result, an interactive driving simulation that instructs players on the vehicle’s powertrain technology and how different driving conditions affect its operation. The game was developed as a downloadable iOS app and was included as part of in-dealership training prior to consultants’ first test drive of the car.

In this session, you will learn:

• How to craft instructional content into gamified simulations using available cutting-edge technologies
• How to leverage available audience research to better meet instructional goals
• Three tips for thinking like a game player
• Three tricks for maintaining user engagement in gamified simulations
• How to measure learner success

Audience:

Designers and managers.

Technology discussed in this session:

Computers, tablets, mobile devices, Adobe After Effects, and Adobe Photoshop.

Choosing between AR and VR for better learning experiences and efficacy is very important for digital learning. Once the concept or content is finalized, deciding the correct approach for developing AR or VR is vital. Selecting the best developmental tool and workflow can be tricky considering the diverse options available in tools, devices, platforms, and standards in the digital space.

In this session, you will learn various developmental workflows for AR, VR, and 360-degree videos and images, and methods to develop effective AR/VR applications. You will gain insight on developing AR/VR learning apps of different complexity, and you’ll examine sample demos for all workflow stages discussed.

In this session, you will learn:

• Augmented reality app development workflows for different complexity levels
• Virtual reality app development workflows for different complexity levels
• Interactive 360 video/image development workflows for different complexity levels
• How to select the development tools and target devices for AR and VR

Audience:

Designers, developers, managers, and senior leaders (directors, VPs, CLOs, executives, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

Augmented reality, virtual reality, and 360-degree videos, Oculus Rift, Oculus Go, Google Daydream, iOS and Android devices.

Virtual reality (VR) is predicted to be the next big thing in learning, but can this trend really impact the way people learn? When should you consider adopting VR as a strategy? Which tools and technologies should you invest in? What design approach should you follow? This session will answer all your questions and more, positioning you for success as you kick off your VR project.

In this session you will also explore common questions like, How does this relate to learning, especially in the corporate world? Can VR really be used in training? How does one go about bringing this together? Are there any design principles to follow?

In this session, you will learn:

• When to consider VR for a training program
• How to design a VR learning experience
• Tools, technologies, and platforms to consider
• Insights into VR content development
• How to measure the effectiveness of VR

Audience:

Designers, developers, managers, senior leaders (directors, VPs, CLOs, executives, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

Unity 3-D, smart glasses, VR head gear (PC tethered, mobile).

Augmented reality (AR) is a widely used technology in games, marketing, and everyday apps, but what about learning and development? Where do you get started? Where do you use it? How should you use it? Finding answers to these questions can cause developers to overlook the potential this technology holds and just how easy, effective, and affordable it can be to get started.

In this session, you will see how easy it is to get started using augmented reality (AR) in development. You will be introduced to free and low-cost tools and resources that will make developing an AR project simple, effective, and engaging. During this session you will have the opportunity to create an AR experience and live-test some existing AR projects. You will leave this session with the working knowledge of how to plan, build, and share an AR project with the world.

In this session, you will learn:

• The difference between augmented, mixed, and virtual reality
• About free and low-cost tools that are available to create an AR project
• What elements makes a successful AR project
• How to incorporate AR into your design workflow
• About AR project ideas that can be implemented into your organization
• How to build an interactive AR project you can showcase after the conference

Audience:

Designers, developers, and managers.

Technology discussed in this session:

Augmented reality, mixed reality, Google, AR, Core Unity development tool, Zappar Designer, Zappar Mobile App, Zapworks Studio.

Participant technology requirements:

Laptop or mobile device.

Virtual reality will lead to a revolution in business, professional development, education, and entertainment. But VR raises a new set of challenges due to the deeply compelling nature of immersive environments. Unlike media on a screen, VR hijacks your senses, turning the virtual into reality. What are some of the ethical issues VR creates? How do you address the emotional impact of deeply realistic, immersive environments?

This session explores ethical challenges that are coming up in the early stages of VR development. You will examine how to create learning experiences, advocacy messages, and campaigns in VR without projecting a single point of view and exclusivity. You will learn from specific examples where the failure to consider user reactions or larger social issues has resulted in controversial VR projects. Finally, you will examine how the rapidly evolving developments in social VR will not only foster new social connections and virtual communities, but also open the door to bad-faith actors trying to break those bonds.

In this session, you will learn:

• How the novelty of VR can lead to its misapplication in specific settings and audiences
• About major projects that led to controversy when designers did not consider the larger cultural issues at play
• About the characteristics of messaging campaigns that effectively leverage VR experiences
• How social VR will not only create new opportunities for organizations, but also new challenges for virtual communities

Audience:

Designers, developers, managers, and senior leaders (directors, VP, CLO, executive, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

VR apps and projects; 360-degree videos.

A large, US-based quick-service restaurant chain was entering the Indian market, planning to open about 1,500 stores in India. The number of trainers was not sufficient to cover the vast geography, and the organization decided to convert 50 to 70 percent of experiential and on-the-job training to simulated workbenches. The plan was to carve out simulations on point of sale (POS) using a limited number of trainers.

In this session, you will learn how to create simulations from actual IT applications for learners to use after they finish the training. You will also learn how to plan the training mix to decide which part of training to allocate to simulated learning. You’ll learn about simple operation research (OR) techniques for planning any large critical investment in simulations. Finally, you’ll see an actual working simulation creation process, demonstrated with a rapid authoring tool such as Articulate 360.

In this session, you will learn:

• Operation research techniques to plan your training mix
• How to use Articulate for application-based simulations
• How to use Articulate 360 to create non-system-based simulations
• How to create simulations using non-technical business resources

Audience:

Developers, managers, and senior leaders (directors, VP, CLO, executive, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

Articulate 360.

As technology delivers content directly into the hectic world of target audiences, user experience designers are faced with the challenge of presenting information that is disruptive and helpful all at once. With AR and VR, the UX is unique in that the designer builds the context on a screenless platform with nonlinear content. Attendees of this session will see proven methods and innovative examples of smart UX design for AR/VR.

In this session, you will analyze how to prioritize the ACT connection (audience, context, and technology) for effective user experience in AR/VR use cases. This includes practicing audience empathy, understanding user reaction to new technology, and evaluating contextual requirements and technology opportunities and limitations. You will have the opportunity to explore the new UX challenges of 360-degree context, screenless interfaces, new interaction standards, gesture input, and interactivity with the surrounding world (AR) or a newly created world (VR). Finally, you will evaluate actual use cases of AR and VR training successes and failures as delivered by industry leaders.

In this session, you will learn:

• How to know and understand target users by using audience empathy practices
• How to meet user reluctance or pushback to new technology and ways of learning
• What types of use cases and environments are best suited for AR and VR delivery
• About new styles and approaches for human interaction in a screenless context
• About design components in VR such as head tracking, acceleration, reticles, scale, audio, and more

Audience:

Designers, developers, managers, and senior leaders (directors, VP, CLO, executive, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

Google Glass for Enterprise, Microsoft HoloLens HUD, and HMD devices.

Moving your organization forward with new approaches to learning and development can be challenging—especially when the new approaches involve nontraditional ideas or technologies. Our Overcoming Barriers sessions bring together people who have already walked this path to share what they have learned. Join our panel of experts as they discuss how you can overcome the most common barriers to incorporating virtual reality into your training and development programs.

Audience:

Novice to advanced designers, developers, managers, and executives.

Technology discussed in this session:

Virtual reality platforms, including multiple types of hardware and software.

You don’t have to look very long to find reports and studies that say there is widespread dissatisfaction with the learning function inside organizations around the world. A 2017 study found that 91 percent of learning and development professionals believe new approaches to learning and new technologies are needed. And as the workplace continues its rapid changes, the need to upskill and develop employees has never been greater.

Enter virtual reality, which has become the solution to corporate learning’s problems. In its infancy as a new technology, VR has drastically improved the way individuals learn and retain information. In this session, STRIVR VP of product Yelena Drabkin will discuss how employee training can be accelerated and improved upon using VR technology. In this session, you’ll learn why some of the world’s biggest companies are turning to VR to train their workforce, the science behind VR, and why it’s such a great fit for learning, as well as the importance of the data insights VR provides.

In this session, you will learn:

• The data that proves VR to be a highly effective learning tool
• Why VR is a great tool for workplace L&D
• Why VR is such a powerful training tool
• How STRIVR is utilizing VR for effective learning

Audience:

Managers and senior leaders (directors, VPs, CLOs, executives, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

VR (Oculus).

Virtual reality-based training offers a potent opportunity to place workers in a close approximation of the point of work, where learning has the greatest impact. However, since this still is an emerging technology, there is a lack of long-term data and case studies, and there are many misconceptions surrounding cost and best operating practices.

In this session, you will explore the global disruption being caused by virtual reality as a medium for training and professional development. You’ll examine the myths surrounding virtual reality through an exploration of case studies and the latest data available. You will receive an overview of the start-up cost and the best operating practices to allow you to evaluate the ROI of virtual, computer, and mobile-based simulations.

In this session, you will learn:

• About game-based training
• About virtual reality training
• About computer and mobile-based simulations
• About gamification

Audience:

Designers, managers, and senior leaders (directors, VPs, CLOs, executives, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

Virtual reality simulations, computer and mobile-based simulations.

Learning to program using a new software development kit (SDK) requires a time commitment large enough to discourage new AR developers. This is compounded by the fact that there are multiple AR SDKs to choose from. Understanding the features, pros, and cons of Vuforia will help you determine whether it’s the right platform for you and will serve as a frame of reference for comparison if you explore other SDKs.

In this session, you’ll gain an overview of the features available in the Vuforia SDK for augmented reality. You’ll explore how these features are beneficial for developing performance support solutions. You’ll see examples of how you can use Vuforia’s recognition capabilities to see and react to objects, images, text, and shapes. You’ll learn about the platforms and development approaches supported by Vuforia.

In this session, you will learn:

• About the features available in Vuforia
• How Vuforia’s features benefit performance support solutions
• Which platforms Vuforia supports
• Which development approaches Vuforia supports
• About pitfalls to avoid when getting started with Vuforia

Audience:

Designers and developers.

Technology discussed in this session:

Vuforia and Unity.

Augmented reality is “new,” but it’s already stuck in a rut. Games and entertainment abound, simple marker-based AR experiences are getting attention, but where are the truly groundbreaking applications? Join this session to explore some of the more advanced things that are possible when you add computer vision and machine learning to AR in order to bridge performance and learning.

In this session, examples from outside the learning world that allow people to do fantastic things with advanced technologies like computer vision, machine learning, and associated next-gen systems will be brought forth and positioned as “what-if” scenarios. Hypothetical performance issues will be discussed with ideas on how to close those gaps with those technologies. You will be encouraged to share tough challenges, and the group will ideate together on how to solve some of those dicey problems collaboratively.

In this session, you will learn:

• How AR can be augmented with computer vision and machine learning
• Where AR, computer vision, and machine learning are being used outside the learning industry to great effect
• How to ideate solutions for closing performance gaps using computer vision and machine learning
• What key computer vision and machine learning tools are available

Audience:

Managers and senior leaders (directors, VP, CLO, executive, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

AR, ARCore, ARKit, CoreVision, computer vision, OCR, Core ML, TensorFlow, and machine learning.

You can have the best trainers possible, but the fact remains that most effective learning happens on the job. The ideal situation would be to immerse new employees into the job right away while minimizing the risk of mistakes. Virtual reality training has the potential to make this a reality. VR training immerses participants into a fun and engaging environment that closely simulates actual work situations.

Faculty and staff from North Carolina State University recently partnered with PNC Arena to create a 360 VR video-based training program for their guest relations employees. This session will show how the program was created, what guided the development process, and how trainees are currently using it to learn and make decisions without fear of mistakes. You will be able to experience the VR training firsthand, and you’ll learn how to create your own VR training program with a design and production process model.

In this session, you will learn:

• About the results of a creative partnership between academia and the private sector
• About the development steps undertaken to create a VR training environment for performance improvement
• How to facilitate a VR training module in your program
• About the platforms and technology used to create and experience the program

Audience:

Designers, managers, and senior leaders (directors, VP, CLO, executive, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

360 video production equipment, classroom-ready VR headsets, interactive 360 video authoring (WondaVR).

In today’s workplace, one-size-fits-all onboarding methods won’t fit. There is a need to optimize the time-to-contribution metric: the time it takes employees to be productive. Role-specific and realistic onboarding becomes imperative. Ericsson’s multi-path learning platform, Jumpstart, is undergoing an extreme makeover. The original platform allows for role-specific onboarding experiences using multimedia content. Version 2.0 amplifies the learning by recreating real-life scenarios using 360 VR experiences, anchored in a multi-path environment.

In this session, you will learn how to identify ideal multi-path learning use cases for virtual reality learning solutions. You will discover a new process for creating multi-path VR learning solutions from concept to development. You’ll examine the pitfalls that can thwart your robust multi-path VR solution (and how to avoid them), as well as how to incorporate a fail-fast, fail-often process into project management.

In this session, you will learn:

• About ideal use cases for multi-path virtual reality learning solutions
• How to create multi-path VR learning solutions
• How to avoid typical hazards to the project
• Change management techniques to successfully drive adoption

Audience:

Designers, developers, managers, and senior leaders (directors, VP, CLO, executive, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

Multi-path virtual reality, VR development, Unity, video editing and production, 3-D rendering tools, KanbanFlow, and VR headsets (e.g., Vive and HooToo).

You’ve heard the proverb, “You give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. You teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” How can this be accomplished quickly, scalably, and effectively using simulations, both as team-based and self-directed learning activities?

In this session, you will learn how PwC uses simulations to gain insights into team and individual performance. You’ll see how PwC designs simulations supported by healthy competition and evaluated with robust analytics. You will experience the effectiveness of simulations through a team-based competitive activity, then explore how gaming and analytics can help you determine learning effectiveness and strategies for addressing performance gaps.

In this session, you will learn:

• How PwC uses simulations in creative ways
• How analytics provide insights into performance gaps and strategies to address them
• About the strategies PwC uses to address and remediate performance gaps
• About rapid design simulation builder tools and their features

Audience:

Designers, developers, managers, and senior leaders (directors, VP, CLO, executive, etc.).

Technology discussed in this session:

BranchTrack and EmpowerTheUser.

Technology required:

Laptop with internet connection.

Augmented and virtual reality technologies are exciting. They offer new opportunities to support learning and performance, which is why training and education professionals are so interested in these emerging tools. While the technologies themselves are becoming more affordable, it’s still a significant expense to add AR and/or VR to your organizational learning strategy. How can you make sure you allocate your spending wisely?

In this session, you will explore the questions that need to be answered in order to maximize your investment in AR or VR hardware. You will examine the limitations of existing hardware and how they can be addressed. You will discover the content limitations of different hardware and what is the best fit for your goals. You will look at the evolving hardware road map and to determine the right time for you to invest. You will leave this session better prepared to make investments in AR and VR technologies.

In this session, you will learn:

• The limitations of existing hardware and how they can be addressed
• Content limitations for different hardware
• How hardware is evolving
• The right time for you to invest
• The scope of the hardware and peripherals ecosystem

Audience:
Designers, developers, managers, and senior leaders (directors, VPs, CLOs, executives, etc.). 

Technology discussed in this session:
Various AR and VR hardware and applications.

There’s fast-growing interest in the usage of AR and VR for education and training. According to SuperData Research, investments in AR and VR technologies will grow from $1.6 billion in 2017 to over $3.1 billion in 2020. Much of that investment is being funneled towards projects built with education and training in mind. AR and VR are emerging quickly, but what does it mean for today’s learning organizations?

In this session, you will examine the current and future opportunities posed by augmented and virtual reality. Using recent research from The eLearning Guild, you will learn about how organizations are using these technologies today and how organizations intend to use these technologies tomorrow. You will explore examples from early adopters, as well as advancements in these technologies that are transforming how we look at learning and development. Join us to understand why these technologies are so powerful, and how you can prepare yourself for the changes they will bring to your work.