Looking forward, integration with Augmented Reality (AR), digital twins, and AI will deepen VR’s impact, offering seamless pathways from immersive conceptual learning to real-world troubleshooting and performance support. 5. APPLYING BLOOM’S TAXONOMY TO VR TRANING IN MINING Designing effective VR-based training for the mining industry requires more than immersive technology; it requires structuring learning activities that intentionally scaffold cognitive development. Bloom’s Taxonomy provides a research-backed framework that guides this process by organizing cognitive tasks into hierarchical levels—from foundational knowledge to advanced problem solving. When VR learning experiences are mapped to these levels, new mining technicians can progress from understanding basic concepts to confidently performing complex procedures in realistic, high-pressure situations. Remembering: Building Foundational Knowledge Through Immersive Exploration At the base of Bloom’s Taxonomy, VR supports remembering by enabling learners to explore virtual mine environments, identify key equipment components, and recall safety protocols in a visually rich, contextually accurate setting. Instead of relying on static diagrams, learners can walk around VR models of haul trucks, conveyors, or crushers, observing where components are located and how systems interconnect. VR allows repeated exposure without demanding equipment downtime, strengthening memory through spatial and visual cues. Example VR Activities: ● Exploring a virtual haul truck engine bay to identify major components ● Viewing equipment labeling overlays that reinforce terminology ● Touring a simulated underground drift to recognize hazard signage Understanding: Visualizing Processes and Explaining Concepts VR enables trainees to understand mining systems by watching equipment operate and observing cause-and-effect relationships that may be invisible in real life. Immersive animations—such as airflow changes during ventilation adjustments or hydraulic pressure fluctuations during machine operation—help learners explain how systems function and why certain procedures matter for safety and efficiency. Example VR Activities: ● Watching cross-sectional animations of crushers, pumps, or hydraulic systems ● Demonstrating energy isolation concepts through interactive lockout/tagout simulations ● Observing how improper operation leads to equipment strain or failure Applying: Practicing Procedures in Realistic Environments 125
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