Virtual reality welding simulators bring plenty of advantages to welding programs. Increased safety, lower consumable costs, more personalized training and higher engagement are the benefits our guideWELD® VR welding simulator customers commonly share. If you’re ready to see the impact these training tools could have on your classroom, consider these 3 tips from Realityworks Product Support Technician Nathan Danielson. Each idea offers a fun, engaging way to get your students interested in using virtual reality welding simulators – so you can start seeing results.
Tip #1: Use guideWELD VR as an assessment tool
Use guideWELD VR to create a safe, non-threatening environment for students who are welding for the first time. Students get immediate feedback on work angle, travel angle and other techniques for more personalized practice. You can reference recorded weld assessments to get an understanding of each user’s skill level.
Tip #2: Use guideWELD VR for student outreach
The guideWELD VR system is a great way to connect with other students. This is especially true for students who may have never considered enrolling in a welding program. Because guideWELD VR is portable, safe and easy to use, it moves easily from classrooms to school fairs and open houses. The video game-like system attracts students; they’ll have fun getting a taste for welding while you tell them all about your program.
Bonus: Some instructors use guideWELD VR to fundraise during community events. In this case, community members were able to use the tools they were helping the school purchase and see firsthand the value they brought to the classroom.
Tip #3: Use guideWELD VR to encourage student competition
Because guideWELD VR plays a little like a game, we encourage you to create friendly classroom competitions. Consider setting a high score for students to beat, or create a challenge in which you regularly increase the difficulty level. (The system offers three: Novice, Intermediate and Advanced.) As students try to beat their peers’ scores, they are practicing and learning. Often, they don’t even realize learning is happening – they’re having too much fun! In this case, a little healthy competition will drive your students to become better.
Learn more
If you’re looking for more information on implementing the guideWELD VR welding simulator in your classroom, we suggest these resources
- Read this case study to learn what instructors across the country are doing to engage their students in welding and manufacturing careers
- Watch this webinar, “Implementing a 21st Century Welding Program: What one high school program did increase student engagement“
- Explore our entire selection of welding training tools in our 2021 Trade Skills Program catalog
Hello, I’m an instructor at an aircraft maintenance school and would like to use your VR welding trainer. We do not certify welding but it is part of our curriculum. Teaching welding with actual equipment can be expensive and cumbersome. I would like to see what you can offer.
Thank you for reaching out, Timothy! I have shared your comment with our Account services Team, who will follow up with you to provide more information. Please keep an eye on your inbox 🙂 We look forward to speaking with you!