Questions of the effectiveness and efficiency of VR training have loomed large since its inception as a training modality. Past efficacy studies conducted by the Transfr team have focused on the learning gain from a single exposure to VR training content (compared to another training method: Written content, video, etc.).
The current study was designed to evaluate how many times a group of trainees needed to repeat a VR simulation (the “Stocks” Culinary simulation) before they reached a benchmark score (also referred to as “training to criterion”). This number was compared to the number of times a separate group of trainees had to act out the steps in making stocks using real cooking equipment and following a written set of instructions (the “act-out” condition).
In this study, 19 participants (9 VR, 10 act-out) repeated their respective training method until they achieved 90% accuracy on a real-world test. Participants in the VR group needed an average of 2.7 repetitions while those in the act-out group needed an average of 4.8 repetitions to reach the same score.*
We’ve always believed that XR can redefine how we approach training, offering a more efficient pathway to mastery. Our latest study shows that learners who used Transfr sims reached critical benchmarks with fewer repetitions than traditional methods of training, proving that immersive technology isn't just the future — it's potentially the most effective way to train right now.
