HVAC college students at North Arkansas using digital actuality to learn to repair AC items

HARRISON, Ark. (KY3) Technology offers HVAC students a new way to learn the tricks of the trade through virtual reality training.

Something everyone appreciates this time of year is air conditioning. But it’s hard to stay cool when your device isn’t working. This is where new students learn how to repair air conditioners.

As Jeff Smith, the program teacher at North Arkansas College explains, their HVAC program is full year round.

“We’re taking the students right off the street, right out of high school, and building them from scratch,” said Smith.

The 11-month program is very practice-oriented and works with various devices and circuit boards. But now it also uses controllers and computer programs.

“So we saw a great opportunity in emerging technology with VR,” said Smith.

Virtual Reality, also known as VR, tries to immerse users in a simulated world that is very close to reality. The new laboratory offers a new dimension of teaching to help students gain experience.

“It actually complements what they learned in the lab and in the classroom,” said Smith. “So we’re now going one step further with virtual reality.”

The main benefit, security.

“The safety factor is enormous. We don’t have to worry about live tracks, but they are still working on tracks in this virtual reality. “

For Carlos Escobar, getting started with HVAC was a matter of course given the possibilities and constant demand.

“All over this country, the air conditioning will break. So if you know how to fix it, there is money, ”said Escobar.

He says anything they learn in the lab can be replicated. It starts the practical work and then supplements the process in virtual space.

“And then you move on to VR, which helps you have knowledge and experience,” said Escobar. “It’s about gaining trust.”

And the possible uses are limitless.

“You can practice like literally practicing anything. From heat pumps to stoves, you can practice whatever setting you want, ”said Escobar.

While it doesn’t completely replace the original, it’s also very beneficial at this time of year. It enables those who keep us cool to defeat the heat.

“If it’s 95 degrees outside and they’re in the lab, it’s 72 degrees in and they won’t even break a sweat when they fix the air conditioning,” Smith said.

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