So-called immersive technologies such as virtual reality have been used effectively for training in the military and could be applied more broadly in the federal workplace, according to a posting by the Partnership for Public Service.
“Immersive technologies are a collection of technologies that change or enhance our physical environment to different degrees. They include augmented reality, which creates a real-world environment with added digital content, and virtual reality, which completely immerses an individual in a recreated or imaginary environment—such as placing the Army medic in a room full of injured soldiers waiting to be treated,” it says.
Agencies have taken advantage of such technologies to some extent, it said, including the CDC to visualize and experience working with dangerous germs and chemicals without being exposed to them.
Keys to success, it said, include garnering leadership buy-in for implementation, securing long-term resources to invest in the technology, and having sustaining funds to support and upgrade the technology.
The Partnership is holding two upcoming events to “explore different technology, discuss its possibilities, outline barriers to adoption and ways to overcome them, and provide immediate steps agencies can take to get ahead of the curve.” Further information is at https://ourpublicservice.org/blog.
