Training in an immersive virtual work integrated learning factory: A case of manufacturing an assembly rail support bracket

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has undesirably impacted all sectors of life in South Africa and greatly increased the challenges faced by higher education institutions (HEI). Work-integrated learning (WIL) is an essential and mandatory curriculum for many higher education qualifications. If conducted well, WIL can contribute enormously to the competencies and work readiness that undergraduate students need to develop. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) has enabled the creation and simulation of virtual factories that mimic real-world tasks. This study aimed to train engineering final-year students on the virtual manufacturing process of an assembly rail support bracket. The HTC Vive Pro head-mounted display was used as a training tool for undergraduate students to perform the learning and assessment activities of the virtual manufacturing process. Simlab Soft, a compatible software, was used to create real-time virtual environments and immersive experiences for the immersive virtual work integrated learning (IVWIL) training factory applying the agile learner design practices to the learner-centered design framework. The immersed participant greatly demonstrated taking less time to perform the assessment activity and mentioned that the immersive virtual training platform enlightened them with a different set of activities that happen in a real, physical rail manufacturing factory. Future work entails integrating soft skills and collaborative immersive training platforms that will benefit students, higher education institutions, and employers.

Keywords: Higher education’s institutions; immersive virtual reality; immersive virtual work integrated learning factory