Q: What is a 3D Virtual Training Simulation?
A: Using computer technology, trainees role-play real-life decisions and actions with accurate consequences and rewards in immersive, virtual spaces. The decision- based simulation will provide multiple paths and possibilities according to each of the trainee’s choices. The trainee’s mental and emotional engagement is heightened through interaction thus ensuring that information is thoroughly and efficiently assimilated.
The future of Virtual World’s is very bright… Despite Google’s recent announcement that they are closing down Lively at the end of this year, almost all other Virtual Worlds are on the rise. With many new Virtual Worlds currently in the development stage, the Virtual World sector is in its infancy. We are like most other forecasters in believing that Virtual Worlds will be as popular as the Internet is now, within the next 2 to 5 years (there’s a good reason why Vista is 3D-based). These multi-user online spaces have seen many new visitors and adopters to the newly developed technology and applications. Today, many Virtual Worlds are marketed as games; however the future of Virtual Worlds will continue to break into the education and training markets. Although the applications of Virtual Worlds span from being utilized for fun, training, e-learning, and collaborating more and more Virtual Worlds are being introduced as learning tools within the workplace. Virtual Worlds offer a broad range of applications/ uses across all sectors. A lot of the Worlds in the market now function as social spaces. The future of Virtual Worlds looks to transform daily life as we know it whether entering VW’s for business or pleasure. We believe that technology advancements will continue to be introduced in the VW sector and the overall mass adoption of Virtual Worlds will continue across all age groups.
Okay, consider yourself primed on the very basics of VW’s. From here on out, we’ll endeavor to get more specific on features, challenges, implementations, etc…thanks for coming along!
Most of us have heard of the “video-game” generation, or are even a part of it. Today’s generation of teenagers grew up with a mouse in their hand and the Internet in their back pocket. With the success of Virtual Worlds today most popular among the pre-teen and teenage years most understand that the next generation of employees to enter the workforce will be extremely well versed with computers and very accepting to technology based around computer learning and training. Factor in the various social networks, like MySpace and Face book and you will find that by incorporating this type of training into the workplace would be beneficial for any type of employer. Long gone are the days when the employer asks an interviewee about past computer experience, and average words per minute typed – as nearly all of the 20 and 30 something’s today have extensive computer knowledge. The next generation to enter the workforce will expect the employer to offer capabilities within the computer realm that they have become accustomed to growing up in the “computer world.” This new generation of workers is changing the way business is done. Immersive elements and environments bring the player in to a new realm of learning…We live in a video game culture. Highly skilled, more effective workers are now in the workplace – ultimately increasing business efficiency.
A question I come across quite frequently is what different levels of simulation training mean. As an example I will use Visual Purple, who specializes in Level 5 training simulations (although our training simulations could span Levels I-VI, we really only ‘do’ Levels 5 and 6 – our own creation – Level 5 with our baked in patented I-Squared tech)). Most people don’t even realize what this means, nor do they realize what this entails and the real value in what we offer over other companies within the industry. Some may even write it off; figuring the higher level of training may be too advanced for their organizations specific training needs. With that being said there is a definite value in using a higher level of training. Level 5 training simulations provide the learner/ trainee with an unmatched training experience with the key element of built-in remediation/feedback – an intelligent tutoring feature.
Definition of Level 5 Simulation: Intelligent tutoring systems
· Complex, interwoven, multi-threaded, multi-path scenarios
· Ideal environment for exercising competencies, creative thinking skills, and decision-making
· Logical and illustrative consequences to user decisions
· Enhanced retention and motivation to succeed
(Definition provided by Dr. John G. Tyler of the MITRE Corporation)
Here is a link to view a sample of a Level 5 Simulation from Visual Purple:
Visual Purple Level 5 Training Simulation- Power of Story: Driven
We are pleased to announce a re-launch of our newly designed company website, our ultimate goal is to offer visitors in-depth information on the types of custom training simulations that we offer and highlights of some of our simulations built in the Virtual World, Embedded Training, and Decision-Based Training sectors. In addition to our company’s main website, we have launched a new microsite where one can find out detailed information about the innovative training technologies that Visual Purple has created and our simulation design process.
Explore the main Visual Purple website www.visualpurple.com
WhyVisualPurple microsite www.whyvisualpurple.com
The world as we know it is changing- it’s going VIRTUAL! Much like the start of the internet in the mid 1990’s…a new evolution of the internet is taking place. It’s called, “Virtual Worlds”, aside from the economy and past presidential election it seems to be the new buzz. The next wave of technology is here to stay…with many companies entering the “VW” sector, each offering something unique to the user/player. Although in its infancy, the Virtual World idea is one that will no doubt continue to grow and change the way people interact. These immersive 3D environments bring reality to the computer screen and place users into a “new world” of possibilities. The popularity of Virtual Worlds ranges from all age groups, with a large audience in the younger teenage years. 3D virtual universe’s allow endless possibilities for the future and beyond in a wide variety of applications. By providing immersive environments for training, Virtual Worlds are the new hot ticket item for learning and training in the 21st Century.
Brief definition of a Virtual World from Wikipedia: A virtual world is a computer-based simulated environment intended for its users to inhabit and interact via avatars. These avatars are usually depicted as textual, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional graphical representations, although other forms are possible[1] (auditor[2]and touch sensations for example). Some, but not all, virtual worlds allow for multiple users.
Welcome! I’m Ed Heinbockel, the guy that as founder and president of Visual Purple is supposed to have all the answers when it comes to leading/bleeding edge training sims that make a difference. Well, don’t get too attached to that notion. We, NOT just me, have some ideas and this forum will be the main means by which we will share what we are up to. And I promise you, some of the ideas will be more entertaining than helpful (though not by design) as we continue our adventure of training and learning in 3D worlds.
For those of you that know me, you are probably shell-shocked. Yes, the day has come: I have finally succumbed to blogging. For some time I would scan blogs with much gnashing of teeth rarely gleaning much except mindless prose or poorly veiled marketing.
We have a different agenda here at Visual Purple.
The real reason we’ve gone live with this blog is to provide a fresh conduit of what we’re learning, building, testing and implementing in the world of advanced training sims. I promise that we will work hard to keep this as untainted marketing-wise as possible. But understand that we are humans and I can guarantee you that from time-to-time our Kool-Aid-inspired passions of what we do here at VP will creep in. So, be forewarned.
Check back often for updates as we develop our style and fold this channel of comms into our lives.
Welcome to the Visual Purple blog site which is primarily focused on providing you with the latest in training and technology that takes place in the Virtual World and Embedded-Training sectors. And now let me introduce you to who we are and what we do…
Visual Purple is on the forefront of technological advancements and trends with the exciting addition of business efficiency solutions and training scenarios taking place through Virtual World spaces, Embedded and Decision-Based training. Virtual world simulations offer compelling experiences, dramatic interactions, and sustainable collaborative environments. As the saying goes “not all things are created equal”, well neither are training solutions.
The blog entries will be intentionally kept short for a quick read and the majority of blog entries will be written in an informal style for easy reading. I encourage you to subscribe to the RSS Feed so that you will automatically receive new blog entries as soon as they are posted. At Visual Purple, we are passionately focused on changing the way people train. So stay tuned to the Virtual Speak blog- there is much more to come! We welcome any and all comments and/or feedback that you may have.
Megan Rutherford
Business Development
