Shiny Simulation Tech - Wait a sec...

Having had a couple of conversations recently on the use of technology and simulation for training it really got me thinking that the use of Virtual Reality /Augmented Reality are pushing a technology led agenda and we are perhaps forgetting the main drivers for using simulation as a training device. When I evaluate any synthetic training solution, I go back to four main elements, Time, Money, Quality and Safety.

 TLDR: Simulation technology should save time, money or both. It should increase quality through repeatability, and it should maintain or increase safety. It shouldn't be a cool VR solution that forces users to adopt simulator specific behaviour that detracts from the real tasks (negative training).

 Simulation within training is popular and is becoming ever more so. Let's face it, the technology is becoming cooler every day, but there is an element of perhaps being wowed by the sexy tech. However if you are focusing on what it is that you are aiming to deliver (what is your user training requirement) then you can choose what you need, not just what is shiny. The shiny might be just the thing, but at least then you have great and auditable justification. Fundamentally, you need the appropriate level of fidelity, and the right level of motivation, to deliver the immersion required to achieve the training outcomes. But when evaluating this, I fall back on 4 main drivers as the basis to build on.

 Time: Using a simulator should save you time. It certainly should not take more time. It should be quicker and easier to schedule and complete a task within the simulator than the live platform.

 Money: It should be cheaper to use the simulator than a live platform. Using a flight sim, even at high fidelity, should be cheaper than flying the actual aircraft. But do think of whole session costs including maintenance and wear and tear.

 Quality: Using a simulator to train should enable repeatability of critical tasks, and allow repeats until the standard has been achieved. This also is an ideal place to maintain competence over time. This doesn’t necessarily necessitate a high fidelity 360 degree dome, it can be a more simplistic trainer that has the appropriate hand controllers and a couple of screens. It just needs to be appropriate.

 Safety: You can use the simulator to put people and equipment into unsafe simulations so the conditions can be recognised, and expensive emergency procedures tested.

 Simulation in training is not the "be all and end all", there are some things you simply do not experience until you do the job for real. But it can really improve the safety and quality of what you do, at a much reduced cost. VR is brilliant, but are you getting valuable training, or is there negative training creeping in?

 Think, assess and evaluate training solutions against your needs before parting with the cash :-) There is a lot more to this that no doubt we could dive into, and I would be keen to hear your views.