Meeting the new reality: immersive learning

A better way to maximize training investment

Despite spending an average of $1,300 per employee annually on training, research proves that learners forget 70% of the content within 24 hours and nearly 90% in a month. It’s not surprising that over 90% of executives Accenture surveyed agree existing employee training methods need to be more effective for their workforce.

Engaging employees now means going beyond one-way training experiences to engage all the human senses. Typically, the more active the learning, the more effective the outcomes.

Immersive learning, an advanced form of active learning, uses technology to create fully simulated environments where learners interact with the experience—as close to the “real world” as you can get.

What powers immersive learning?

Human ingenuity and extended reality (XR) technologies power the innovation behind immersive learning. Success depends on the right scope, scale, and agility—as well as collaboration between the Chief HR Officer/Learning & Development organization and Chief Technology Officer/IT organization. Based on Accenture’s research findings, we know sufficient business integration, workforce reach, and future flexibility are vital.

Following the pandemic, people want to go beyond how things were, to a better normal. To deliver this, organizations need to take the digital technology that we have all become used to and extend it to create more valuable experiences

Organizations must find innovative ways to keep employees engaged or risk losing them. This means investing in employee learning and development, going beyond one-way training experiences to engage all the human senses. By using Extended Reality, enterprises can create novelty and excitement, and offer interactive and immersive learning opportunities.

Executives responding to our Accenture Immersive Learning survey say they're already engaging with XR training.

Our recommendations for XR-based reinvention

Making the right decisions across infrastructure, hardware, ecosystems and people will help your company and your people reap the most from immersive learning.

XR in action

XR can help connect new joiners and build a sense of community when people can’t physically be together. For example, One Accenture Park is a shared virtual space using Microsoft AltSpace VR. It enables immersive onsite experiences, interactive showcases and hands-on demonstrations.

New joiners can wear Oculus headsets to go beyond flat-screen video conferencing into 3D interactive environments, including social ‘water cooler’ moments to connect and network.

How to choose a digital transformation expert

Ideally, your chosen partner should have six key capabilities to help speed your organization’s journey: