Both tools provide hands-on learning experiences and practice to build job-ready skills, but what are the key benefits and differences between the two?
tl;dr Simulations and virtual labs are both effective hands-on tools for modernizing training and enablement programs. The number one difference is the environment: simulations use a replication of an environment, while virtual labs provide a non-production live software environment. These environments facilitate different advantages and disadvantages depending on your learning objectives, users and software complexity.
In this article:
- Comparison chart. Discover the key differences between simulations and virtual labs at a glance.
- What are simulations? Explore the definition, use case and how to maintain these replicated environments.
- What are virtual labs? Dive into the details and benefits of using these live, in-software environments.
- What do simulations and virtual labs have in common? Find out how both tools can help you modernize training programs.
Simulations and virtual labs (also commonly referred to as “sims” and “labs”) are among the most impactful ways to develop technical and digital skills and provide software enablement. Both are valuable training tools that provide opportunities for learners to take theoretical knowledge from the classroom or course and safely practice applying it within the context of their job.
While the technologies may seem similar at first glance – and may both be grouped together as “labs” – they are fundamentally different. We’ve been helping organizations create virtual labs, simulations and sandbox environments for more than 20 years, and understanding the differences is crucial for choosing the right solution, managing costs and maximizing its impact. Let’s explore the key differences and benefits of these experiential learning tools.
Comparison chart: Simulations vs. virtual labs.
| Simulations | Virtual labs | |
|---|---|---|
| Environment | Replication of software via screenshots and/or video. | Live, in-software environment. |
| Instructions | Linear learning paths with prescriptive, click-through instructions to guide users to correct answers. | Integrated instruction sets provide as little or as much structure as desired, enabling users to explore the product/software interface and try multiple methods to solve a challenge or complete a task. |
| Practice | Users can re-take the simulation and practice using the software within the guardrails of the simulation. | Outcome-based tasks allow learners to arrive at the correct solution in multiple ways, practice solving challenges and safely “fail forward.” |
| Scoring | Automated knowledge-based scoring and feedback capabilities based on click-through and multiple-choice-style quizzes. | Automated performance-based scoring capabilities that interrogate the environment for outcomes and provide real-time feedback to help users learn from failed attempts and improve. |
| Maintenance | Requires manual updates to match software updates. | Easier to update and manage software updates to mirror production environments (if applicable). |
What are simulations?
Simulations are virtual replicas of digital environments that enable users to interact with pre-programmed elements and scenarios. Simulations are essentially screenshots of the technology or software that users can interact with. Within the simulation, users complete objectives or achieve goals by interacting with select parts of the simulated environment. By making choices and receiving feedback within the simulation, users gain context to support what they’ve learned and a get a high-level glimpse into the tools or platforms they’ll be using on the job, as well as the types of tasks they’ll be doing.
Simulations provide a linear learning path that can provide a streamlined solution for audiences who don’t need to understand or access the full functionality of software, and instead focus only on what’s needed for their specific role or process.
Simulations success story
See how a Fortune 500 company is using simulations to achieve rapid skilling of AI technical sellers worldwide.
Key advantages of simulations:
- Introducing new concepts – Simulations provide a safe space for learners to gain experience with basic functionalities and workflows in a new software, system, programming language or complex procedure.
- Targeted learning – Simulations can be tailored to focus on specific skills or procedures relevant to a particular job role.
- No software licensing limitations – Simulations are a good option when a platform or technology doesn’t lend itself to learning experiences in live, in-software environments due licensing restrictions, access limits or environment duplication.
- Highly secure – Because users access a replication of the environment vs. live software or a mirror of production.
Potential disadvantages of simulations:
- Linear, knowledge-based learning – Simulations offer limited ability for users to engage in practice, learn from failure and gather performance-based insights, making them a better fit for high-level topics/less technical audiences.
- Manual maintenance – Whenever the software UI (user interface) changes, a simulation needs to be manually updated to match the latest visuals and functionality to provide an accurate experience for the learner. Significant updates or feature changes might require rebuilding the simulation to accurately reflect new or altered functionality. Simulations are a better choice for software and processes that tend to stay more static.
What are virtual software labs?
Virtual labs (also called virtual IT labs, virtual training labs or software labs) provide immersive experiences in live, but safe environments of your software, technology or product.
By giving users access to the actual software during a hands-on lab, learners can solve problems and complete tasks in numerous ways versus simply following step-by-step instructions. These interactive environments provide in-depth practice, real-time feedback and skill validation capabilities by assessing not only the outcome but also how the learner arrived at that outcome. And since scenario-based labs are outcome-focused, people also improve their critical thinking skills.
Virtual labs are ideal for learning how to use software and tackle complex technical processes in a realistic but safe environment, which is why they’re becoming a go-to solution for improving technical sales and partner enablement.
Virtual labs success story.
Hear from Vipin Balan, Majesco’s SVP of Services, about how virtual software lab environments improve their workforce capabilities and partner enablement.
Key advantages of virtual labs:
- In-depth practice – Virtual labs provide a hands-on live software practice environment for learners to experiment, troubleshoot problems and apply their knowledge in practical ways within a safe environment that mirrors production. This helps learners develop a deeper understanding and build the confidence needed to succeed in real-world situations.
- Dynamic learning – Users can explore different scenarios and make their own decisions. This replicates the complexities of real-world environments, better preparing learners for the challenges they might face on the job.
- Performance-based scoring – Automated performance-based scoring capabilities interrogate the environment for outcomes and provide real-time feedback to help users learn from failed attempts and improve. This not only gives insights to learners, but also your team in the pursuit of optimizing and improving your organization’s training content and roadmap.
- Portability – Skillable’s virtual labs can be built in multiple environments, including virtual machines (VMs), containers (Docker) or cloud environments (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform). As a result, organizations aren’t forced to use the environment a lab provider prefers and instead use the environment platform that best suits their evolving product and business objectives.
- Streamlined maintenance – While updates to the underlying software or system might require adjustments to the virtual lab instructions, the core advantage of virtual labs is the live, in-software environment. This environment replicates the actual software, updating in concert with production and minimizing the need for significant overhauls.
Potential disadvantages of virtual labs:
- Full software functionality – Virtual labs provide live software environments that give end users access to the full functionality of the software. People may get bogged down by the technical details and complexities of working in a real environment if they don’t need to understand the full functionality for their role. Lab instructions are a critical component of the lab experience, allowing Lab Builders to add as much or as little depth and detail as desired to help guide users.
- Licensing restrictions and security – Licensing restrictions, access limits or security concerns are all potential roadblocks for hosting virtual labs at scale. But there are ways to mitigate risk and circumvent licensing restrictions. For instance, Skillable’s Cloud Slice option can enable limited and temporary cloud access for virtual labs. Skillable also maintains top security and compliance industry certifications, including ISO:27001, SOC2, GDPR compliance and more.
What do simulations and virtual labs have in common?
Simulations and virtual labs are both critical hands-on tools for modernizing training programs, providing:- Increased engagement and skill retention – Hands-on experience helps learners develop a deeper understanding and build the confidence needed to succeed in real-world situations.
- Safe practice environments – While the environments and interfaces are different, both simulations and virtual labs provide safe spaces where learners can make mistakes, practice skills and get feedback on their performance.
- Automated scoring – Remove the time-consuming burden of manually scoring exams with automated real-time feedback and scoring.
- Scalability – Simulations and virtual labs can be easily scaled to accommodate large training groups around the world, making them ideal for organizations with a distributed workforce, partner network or expansive customer base.
- Flexibility – Simulations and virtual labs are accessible from anywhere in the world as part of Instructor-led training or asynchronous learning where people can learn and practice at their own pace as their schedule allows. They can even be offered at live events and user conferences for product demos and hands-on workshops.
- Standardized, repeatable training experiences – Software labs and simulations can be designed with specific learning objectives and scenarios which helps ensure that every learner receives the same hands-on practice irrespective of who is training them.
By fostering active engagement, providing safe practice environments and offering scalability and flexibility, both simulations and virtual labs can equip learners to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be job ready and thrive.
How to choose between simulations and virtual labs?
See examples and get practical guidance on how to choose the right hands-on experience for your organization.
