Simulation-based training improves engagement, knowledge retention, and learning speed through immersion
Through simulations, employees can practice realistic, risk-free skill development
Cloud-based solutions eliminate many of the traditional barriers to simulation-based training
“Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn.”
Whether you believe the above quote comes from Benjamin Franklin or ancient Chinese philosophy, you can’t deny its message. We’ve known for decades that people learn most effectively through active experience rather than passive memorization.
But why is that, exactly? What makes simulation-based training so exceptionally effective?
Here’s a clear look at the core benefits and why more teams are moving their training programs to simulation-based learning.
1. It’s More Memorable
Hands-on training has always been more engaging and effective than passive knowledge acquisition. It’s pretty obvious why, too. For most people, it’s a lot easier to remember something you’ve actively experienced as opposed to mere words on a screen.
This mostly comes down to the fact that simulations engage multiple senses and skills, strengthening both memory and long-term information recall.
2. It Delivers No-Risk Experiential Learning
Imagine you’re trying to train your security engineers to respond to a ransomware attack. Trouble is, you have no real way of validating how they’ll actually perform under pressure. After all, you can’t exactly unleash Akira or Black Basta onto your production environments.
Retention aside, hands-on experiences lead to more rapid skill development than passive education. Research by PwC on early virtual reality training, for instance, found that employees who learned in VR were around four times faster than those in a traditional classroom setting. They also felt considerably more connected and focused.
4. Enhanced Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Critical thinking is one of those skills that’s overlooked way too often in L&D, probably because it’s rather difficult to teach with old-school training methods. Sure, you can present trainees with brain-teasers and thought exercises. But none of that prepares them to actually think on their feet.
Hands-on simulations, though? They teach people not just to think critically, but to do so under pressure. This translates to both increased competence and higher confidence while on the job.
5. Immediate Feedback
Most simulation-based training provides instant feedback to participants, allowing them to correct mistakes as they occur. In addition to ensuring bad behaviors don’t become bad habits, this even further accelerates skill development.
Better yet, it’s also less work for your team, as these assessments are typically delivered automatically.
6. Reduced Overhead
Picture a traditional cyber range. Aside from upfront investment, the maintenance costs of keeping everything up-to-date can be staggering, even for a large organization. And that’s not even getting into space and resource constraints.
Now bring that cyber range into the cloud. Suddenly, you’re no longer looking at a massive upfront investment or huge overhead costs, but a scalable training simulator that you can customize and adjust as needed.
Embrace a Hands-On Approach to Learning
Static slide decks and training videos aren’t effective today, and they haven’t been for years.
We live in a time of perpetually more advanced AI and increasingly sophisticated virtual reality. Your customers and users demand engaging experiences.
There’s never been a better time to start incorporating simulation-based training into your learning and development strategy. Book a demo, and we’ll show you how we can help you get started.
FAQs
What is simulation-based training in IT?
In an IT context, simulation-based training provides developers, security engineers, and other technical professionals with interactive, hands-on replicas of a company’s applications and systems. This simulation allows them to develop real-world skills and practice potentially dangerous workflows without impacting production environments
How does simulation learning improve software rollouts?
Simulation learning can potentially enhance a software rollout in two ways. For developers, it can provide them with a sandboxed virtual environment in which they can test software prior to pushing it live. For users, it allows them to gain day-one proficiency through continuous practice.
In the past, simulation training used to rely primarily on screenshots and algorithms and progressed along linear paths. Virtual labs were a great deal more versatile, delivering live software environments that enabled more freeform problem-solving and exploration. Virtual simulation labs blend the two modalities, incorporating features like adaptive learning to deliver more realistic, dynamic scenarios.
How can simulation learning help reduce errors during IT deployments?
Similar to how simulation training improves software rollouts, it can enhance IT deployments by allowing both practice and testing within a safe environment. Both IT staff and general employees can make absolutely certain they understand new technology before connecting it to production environments.
What are the best tools for implementing simulation-based training programs?
