Learning anything new for the first time can be an overwhelming process, and studies have shown that most learners will lose at least 50 percent of the information provided in one session. This has been linked to the different learning styles found within each individual, as it’s simply not a case of one teaching technique that fits all.

Depending on which research you read, different experts have highlighted numerous learning styles with the main ones being;

Spatial – these are people that take in the most information from visual representations, reading and displays.
Linguistic – These are people who learn the best from verbal communication and explanations
Kinaesthetic – Those that learn from physically practising tasks at hand in a learning environment
Auditory – Those that learn better from listening to the information provided

There is no wrong or right learning style, and it’s quite common for people to have a mixture of styles that are best suited to them. Knowing that the best learning practises and environments are those that include each of these styles, has helped educational programmes evolve the way their teachings are practised.

Technology has played a huge part in world of e-learning as new research appearing every day shows how new technology can be utilised across industries. Virtual Reality otherwise known as VR is something that has been in the e-learning sector for a while now, however it’s no longer just schools that are using such technology, as care providers have been using this of late as well! How you ask? For training care providers that deal with in home care, on how to look after Dementia patients.

For those that don’t know too much about the disease there are over 200 different sub categories of dementia, and with each type the symptoms and behaviours within each individual are forever changing. So it’s important that all care givers are given hands on training to ensure they know how to deal with each and every situation. However whilst a hands on approach is all very well, it can be quite dangerous for both the care giver and the individual in need, to learn on the job. This is where Virtual Reality has been a huge success helping care providers understand the different levels of care they need to provide, as well as empathy to the situation at hand.

So how does this actually work? Each care provider is given a virtual reality headset which puts them into a care situation that they could potentially encounter in the future. Being in a practise environment they can see how a patient can respond, looking at both the negative and positive outcomes. Being in an interactive setting, caters for all the different learning styles helping the Care giver to practise in home care for dementia patients, much more efficiently than they would do our in the field.

This type of learning is truly revolutionising the care industry in the hope for a better system for all care providers and those suffering with dementia.

Care Indeed provide the best dementia or Alzheimer's in home care for seniors, careindeed.com