At Ohio University (OHIO) in Athens, OH, a team of professors is undertaking the creation of a virtual factory thanks to a new grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The project’s purpose is to create a virtual reality factory for an apprenticeship training model. Students in the program will receive a professional-level experience using digital tools without the need for or the expense of a physical factory.
Particularly in manufacturing, workforce education has not been technology-based. It traditionally takes place in the field and involves in-person instruction, one-on-one apprenticeship, and printed manuals. There exists a growing skills gap in trained, qualified workers. To solve this, higher education institutions are stepping in to fill the gap and programs are being developed that employ augmented and virtual reality to teach workers new skills.
More News from eCampus News
Report: AI skills are critical for learners and workers
AI skills are becoming essential for college students to secure future success. As artificial intelligence transforms industries, the ability to understand and effectively use AI will be a key differentiator in the job market.
Harvard’s stand against federal overreach: A defining moment for U.S. higher education
In a historic and deeply concerning move, the Trump administration has frozen over $2.2 billion in grants and contracts to Harvard University after the institution refused to comply with an extensive list of federal demands.
The human edge in the AI era
In the Future of Jobs 2025 report, the World Economic Forum predicts that 60 percent of jobs will require upskilling or retraining, or they’ll be threatened. The skills we have today may not keep us secure for long.
Migrating from on-prem mailboxes to the cloud in higher education
As higher education continues its digital evolution, more colleges and universities are turning to cloud-based applications. These modern solutions offer advantages that on-premise systems can’t match.
Students are unsure about higher ed’s value, but strongly support AI
American students are questioning whether higher education is the path to a successful career–but it remains evident that students believe AI is beneficial to learning.
Data shows growing GenAI adoption in higher ed
Nearly half of HED instructors (45 percent) have positive perceptions about GenAI, despite concerns and perceived risks in its adoption, according to updated data from Cengage Group’s “AI in Education” research series.
College claim to deliver value, but struggle to track its delivery
Although nearly 75 percent of colleges and universities believe their value proposition is clear, less than 10 percent of schools say they have built a reliable tracking process to ensure their perceived value is actually delivered.
Academic freedom under siege: A Ph.D. student’s reflections
As a doctoral student currently engaged in scholarly research within a U.S. higher education institution, I find myself increasingly alarmed by recent developments that suggest an erosion of academic freedom and civil liberties.
4 student mindsets that rationalize cheating
Understanding how students justify cheating can help faculty address the root causes. This article covers common student mindsets that rationalize cheating and offers practical ways to address them before they grow into a cheating culture.
The hidden cost of legacy systems in higher ed
As universities shape the future and prepare the next generation of leaders and innovators, it’s more important than ever to lead in adopting cutting-edge technology and digital transformation.