Fire safety training for workers
An investigation into how learning modalities in VR relate to performance and self-evaluations
The study, carried out in collaboration with the e-learning company Piazza Copernico, started from a very concrete question: do we really learn better when we are immersed in a simulation compared to when we watch video-slides?
This question is even more relevant if we think about a field such as fire safety, where knowing how to act in the correct way can make a difference. Participants received training on fire safety procedures in different ways (virtual reality with avatars or video-slides) and then faced a fire simulation in VR. The number of mistakes, the response times, and the overall score obtained were evaluated. The results show that those who trained in virtual reality made fewer mistakes and acted more quickly compared to those who followed the traditional method. Similar results emerged in a sample of students and also in a sample of workers, suggesting that the method can work concretely in professional contexts.
The subjective experience was also interesting. The VR simulation, developed by TXT Group, was perceived as immersive and engaging: participants felt inside the situation and motivated. However, there is a crucial element: perceived stress. When the level of stress perceived during the simulation was too high, performance worsened. This means that it is not enough to make the experience realistic: it must be designed carefully, calibrating the level of emotional pressure.
In summary, active and well-designed VR makes learning safety procedures more effective compared to passive methods. Immersive technology can concretely improve preparation for emergencies, as long as it takes into account not only the actions to perform, but also how people react when pressure increases.
Fire safety training for workers: an investigation into how learning modalities in VR relate to performance and self-evaluations Veronica Muffato, Marta Mazzella di Bosco, Sara Zuzzi S., Pellegrini D., Chiara Meneghetti Frontiers in Psychology, 10 February 2026, Sec. Cognition, Volume 17 – 2026 / Read the article
