Interplay Learning vs LabTrainingVR: Biosafety Cabinet Edition

Interplay Learning provides online and virtual-reality training for skilled trades. Expert-led courses use 3D simulations and VR practice, with catalogs covering HVAC, plumbing, solar, electrical, multi-family maintenance and more. The mobile app page states that users can access more than 500 hours of training, in English and Spanish. Training supports preparation for EPA 608 and NATE certification exams and approved continuing-education hours. Learners can use the web, iPhone, iPad, Android phones and Android tablets. Administrators can automatically assign courses, learning paths and due dates, including dynamic due dates. Integrations include single sign-on, reporting API connections and content integration with Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, D2L and Schoology. Interplay markets solutions for individuals, businesses, educators and workforce-development organizations. Interplay Solo costs $54 a month for individual access and the full course catalog. A free trial is available, but there is no free plan.

LabTrainingVR: Biosafety Cabinet Edition is a free virtual reality course for practicing safe work in a biological safety cabinet (BSC). Its 1.5 hours of training cover identifying Class II BSC parts, maintaining positive airflow, preparing for work, applying safe practices, decontaminating and shutting down, and emergency shutdown procedures. The course is designed for laboratory professionals, including public health and clinical laboratory staff, safety professionals, and others interested in safe BSC use. It supplements CDC’s existing eLearning course on working safely in a BSC. Learners practice in a virtual laboratory without exposure to pathogens or risk of accidental infection or release. The course is headset-only, with versions for HTC Vive and Oculus Quest 2; the equipment guide also identifies Meta Quest 2 and above and OpenXR-compatible headsets. It requires 360° tracking and a play area of at least 3 by 3 feet, with 20 by 20 feet listed as ideal. HTC Vive and tethered-headset setups require Windows 8.1 or later, at least 8 GB RAM, and 20 GB available storage, among other hardware requirements. Quest setup requires Wi-Fi and a mobile device for initial installation.