Tag Archive for: maritime

Bridging Theory and Practice: How Virtual Reality (VR) is Shaping the Learning Environment

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Pedagogy refers to both the theory and practice of teaching, shaped by the educator’s personal beliefs, culture, and experiences. As society continues to evolve, so does pedagogy, to engage students more effectively and improve learning outcomes (Top Hat, 2022). One of the most innovative developments in modern education is the use of e-learning, game-based learning, and virtual reality (VR) as teaching tools.

Virtual reality creates immersive, simulated environments where learners can explore, interact, and practice skills in a controlled setting. Using headsets or other devices, VR allows instructors to construct realistic 3D environments that foster hands-on learning (Bardi, 2024). However, as with any emerging technology, VR raises questions about its impact on education, especially regarding what constitutes a learning environment in these virtual spaces. 

Virtual Reality: Enhanced Experiential Learning 

Experiential learning is an approach where students learn by engaging in hands-on experiences supported by reflection and critical analysis. This method encourages learners to take initiative, make decisions, and be accountable for their learning outcomes (Northern Illinois University, n.d.). In a VR environment, students can actively engage with content and practice real-world skills—yet the question remains: How does VR redefine experiential learning?

A study by Asad et al. (2021) shows that VR can enhance learner involvement by offering first-hand experiences that would be challenging or dangerous to replicate in traditional learning settings. For example, VR can simulate emergency response training for maritime professionals, providing realistic practice scenarios without real-world risks.

Edumersive, a cutting-edge VR e-learning platform offered by Blue Orange Wave, is transforming maritime training delivery. Through VR, Edumersive allows learners to engage in lifelike situations, promoting active learning in a safe and controlled environment. This immersion not only enhances retention but also enables learners to practice critical skills repeatedly, ensuring they are better prepared for real-life situations. 

The Learning Environment in VR 

In traditional education, a classroom is the learning environment, with physical factors—such as seating arrangement, board visibility, and classroom conditions—affecting the learning process. Similarly, in a VR setting, the virtual simulation serves as the learning environment. However, the quality of the technology plays a crucial role in shaping this environment.

For example, learners using high-performance devices may experience smoother graphics and more responsive simulations, while those with lower-end devices could face delays or reduced image quality. These technological variations can impact the learning experience and even affect how well students absorb information (Yasar & Sheldon, 2024).

Edumersive addresses these challenges by offering highly adaptable visualisations, ensuring that learners using different devices still receive a consistent and engaging experience. Whether the task is practising onboard safety drills or responding to a simulated emergency, Edumersive creates an inclusive environment where learners can thrive. 

The Advantages of VR in Education 

While VR learning environments may have technological limitations, their benefits are vast—especially when used with innovative platforms like Edumersive. Here are the key advantages of VR learning that are transforming the educational landscape:

  1. Immersive Learning Experience: VR enables students to engage with content on a deeply interactive level, making abstract concepts more tangible (Aiello et al., 2012).
  2. Enhanced Retention & Understanding: A study by Ghanbaripour et al. (2024) shows that advanced technology including VR significantly increased student engagement by offering immersive, interactive learning experiences that bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world application. 
  3. Safe Learning Environments: VR allows learners to practice in risk-free virtual settings, especially valuable in high-risk industries like maritime and renewable energy.
  4. Accessibility & Inclusivity: Platforms like Edumersive ensure that VR is accessible across a wide range of devices, ensuring inclusivity for learners with varying technical resources.
  5. Real-time Feedback: Immediate feedback during VR training helps learners correct mistakes at the moment, accelerating skill acquisition.
  6. Cost-effective Training Solutions: VR reduces training costs by eliminating the need for physical resources and travel while providing scalable, high-quality training experiences.
  7. Engagement for Different Learning Styles: VR accommodates multiple learning styles, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, providing a rich, multisensory experience.

Virtual Reality The Future of Learning 

Virtual reality is reshaping the landscape of education by offering sustainable, immersive, safe, and adaptable learning environments that cater to the needs of all future learners. Blue Orange Wave is at the forefront of this transformation, providing VR-based solutions that enhance retention, promote safety, and accommodate a diverse range of learning styles. As technology advances, VR will continue to bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that learners are equipped with the skills they need to succeed in both virtual and real-world environments.


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Tips for Integrating Technology into Existing Training Programs

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Integrating technology into maritime training is essential for bridging learning gaps and advancing crew members’ development. These advancements not only enhance current training methods but also introduce new approaches that are crucial for staying competitive and ensuring safety in the industry (Future of Maritime Training – NSFlow, n.d.).

Technological tools like e-learning, learning experience platforms (LXP), learning management systems (LMS), and virtual reality (VR) make training more accessible and flexible. They allow continuous learning, even while crew members are at sea, and provide trainers with real-time data on learner progress and performance. These tools can also simulate high-risk environments, offering hands-on practice without the associated hazards. This enhances both learning outcomes and safety, while also helping to reduce costs by minimizing the need for physical resources and travel. 

Below are key tips for integrating technology into existing maritime training programs:

1. Align with Training Goals

It’s crucial to align technology with your specific training goals. Identify areas where technology can provide the most value, such as using VR simulations for operational or safety training. 

2. Adopt Blended Learning

A blended learning approach, which combines e-learning with traditional methods, allows for more comprehensive training. VR simulations, for example, are great for hands-on skills, while traditional methods are still useful for theoretical concepts like operational protocols. By blending both approaches, training programs become more dynamic and adaptable to different learning needs.

3. Choose User-Friendly Tools

Select tools that are intuitive and easy to navigate, ensuring accessibility for all learners, regardless of their familiarity with technology. A simple user interface (UX) benefits learners across all generations, making the learning experience smoother and more engaging for everyone. By prioritizing ease of use, you create an environment where learners can focus on the content without being hindered by complex technology.

4. Include Interactive Content

Engaging, interactive content is essential to capture attention and improve retention. When learners can actively participate—whether through simulations or quizzes—they’re more likely to achieve better outcomes. Immersive technologies like VR can enhance this by offering learners the chance to interact with realistic 3D environments in a way that boosts both engagement and understanding.

5. Foster Collaboration

Use technology to encourage collaboration, an essential part of maritime training, where teamwork is critical. Through interactive platforms and virtual environments, students can work together, share ideas, and improve team-building skills, preparing them for real-world scenarios where effective communication is vital.

At Blue Orange Wave, we understand the growing need for innovation in maritime training. That’s why we continue to explore how technologies can support immersive and effective training environments. Our products, Edumersive, Prevency, TagitWave, and XVR On-Scene provide an interactive and engaging way to practice safety drills and emergency responses in a controlled setting. This ensures that crew members are well-prepared for real-world challenges while learning in a safe, risk-free environment.

With these tips, you can successfully integrate technology into your training programs to enhance learning, improve safety, and meet the demands of today’s maritime industry.

References:

Future of Maritime Training – NSFlow. (n.d.). https://nsflow.com/maritime-training

Blue Orange Wave boards a new Team!

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Blue Orange Wave celebrated its second birthday on the 9th of January! As it marked a next step to maturity, we are happy to share this great moment with you.

First development

During the first two years Blue Orange Wave focused mainly on market position, brand awareness, product portfolio and market proposition. For this matter we hired a true marketing and branding specialist with an extended experience in the maritime simulation domain. She helped us to grow our name, brand and marketing strategy. This temporary position recently changed to a more fixed position and we are happy to inform you Blue Orange Wave’s new Marketing Manager Cisca Versteeg.

Cisca was raised in a seagoing family with a father as a Chief Engineer and brother as Deck Officer. Her trilingual education in Dutch, English and Spanish brought her to Mexico City in 2008 where she is located ever since. She gained experience in (online) marketing while she worked for a market leading software provider. Not long ago she chooses for a career serving more companies at the same time as she embraces diversity in her field of expertise which she finds partly at Blue Orange Wave.

Future focus

In 2020 Blue Orange Wave will continue its focus on a further and more in-depth development of its product portfolio into existing education and training programs. This includes sharing more in-depth knowledge on application and implementation of video – and virtual reality tools into existing education and training in the maritime safety and security domain. It creates an opportunity to be able to run efficient and interesting courses mainly based on existing content which is immersive and tempting for the current – and new generation of crew and officers working onboard vessels or platforms.

To be able to assist existing and new customers with the changing training markets and fast development of innovative solutions Blue Orange Wave extended with a Learning and Development Specialist. During the application process there was one person who clearly blinked out with experience at sea, training market knowledge and simulation operations. We are very pleased to announce that Bouke Bergsma joined our team in this role as we trust that his experience, teamwork, down-to-earth-mentality and pragmatic attitude will help us to further expand our company in the direction as previously.

“It is my strength to bring together the fundamental factors such as technology, expertise and objectives. Only when the right elements are brought together you will get the best results. Let technology support us in our development, but don’t let it become a goal on itself”, says Bouke.

Customer success

As most people know, it is an unpleasant fact that with growth, companies tend to lose sight on their precious existing customers. To avoid this occurring within our company we expanded our team with a Customer Success Manager. As well as with Bouke we are very pleased to announce that another former seafarer has joined our team. Hein Schaap has assumed this important role. Hein gained experience in the maritime industry from a very young age as being raised in a family of fishermen and coastal trade. His dedication to the sea stayed and after finalizing his nautical education at the Maritime Academy of Terschelling he joined the ships of Holland America Line for a period of nearly six years. To move closer to home Hein moved his career towards the ferries in the Irish Sea where he worked for P&O Ferries for a period of four years, before moving to the training to become a Pilot with the Dutch Pilot Association. His final dream to become a Pilot shattered because of a serious incident during a ship-tender transfer.

Hein says, “After a break I decided to move on and go for something totally new! Blue Orange Wave hooked me on with the possibilities and options the company provides. As well as for me personal as well as for our customers. In this role as the company’s Customer Success Manager I look forward to expand and improve the current company set-up and help our customers to grow in their use of the new training tool(s) they implemented. It is my goal to stand for our customers and make their success my challenge!”

“Working with these true professionals it will be a great continuation of a journey which I started two years ago. It is my strong believe that Blue Orange Wave is ready for this next step to increase the service to our respected customers and grow towards new innovators! Our team spirit, experience, diversity and common goal to have fun in what we do will drive us to smile continuously. It is end of standby and now full ahead!”, says Tim Lodder, Managing Director of Blue Orange Wave.