Although the phrase “metaverse” first appeared in 1992, its true potential has just recently come to light, and metaverse education is still in its infancy. Naturally, this means that educators will wonder where this technology is going and what the future holds for online learning. Even though schooling in the metaverse is already beneficial, the greatest effects are still to come.
Although the metaverse is a young technological revolution, the idea itself is not. In reality, Neal Stephenson’s 1992 science fiction book Snow Crash is where the term “metaverse” first appeared. The concept has gained popularity recently for a number of reasons, though. As student demands change, it is becoming more crucial than ever for academic institutions and instructors to understand the numerous uses of the metaverse.
The metaverse itself can be defined as a virtual environment where users can congregate simultaneously and engage in rich social interactions. It’s most frequently linked to blockchain technology, social media-like features, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and the use of controllable avatars. This makes it possible to create a realistic environment where communication is easy but effective.
Facebook’s decision to invest substantially in this field and rebrand the platform as “Meta” has been one of the main causes stoking recent interest in the metaverse. The company considered the metaverse to be both the progression of current social media and the future of online social interactions. However, the emergence of potential virtual learning opportunities offered by the metaverse is the main driver of interest in connection to education.
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Knowledge of Metaverse Education
In many aspects, using the metaverse for educational purposes can be seen as an addition to the well-established concepts of virtual learning, or eLearning. Since the metaverse education platforms are made to give such chances, these notions center on delivering learning opportunities in a virtual environment.
Avatars, which are virtual representations of people that students can utilize to engage with one another, are typically used in metaverse education. A classroom setting can be created within a virtual learning environment by allowing educators to interact within these digital learning spaces using their own avatars. The learning potential is significantly greater because it’s simple to modify the surrounding virtual environment to fit the lessons being taught.
Some people may already be aware of the educational uses made of games like Roblox and Minecraft. The use of gaming aspects to increase student engagement and general enjoyment is known as the “gamification of learning,” and these kinds of virtual platforms are a component of it. In many ways, especially when utilized on a whiteboard, it makes sense to draw connections between the prevalence of video games and students’ familiarity with gaming.
Though not all virtual reality or metaverse platforms are geared toward gamification. The importance of social interactions shouldn’t be undervalued, even though some of these platforms may still have gamification features, including the use of a controllable avatar for virtual environment exploration.
Learning in a setting that feels like a game benefits students because the familiarity lowers barriers that could otherwise induce social anxiety. Because of this, the metaverse is a tool that many students can use to their advantage both academically and socially.
Education in the Metaverse: Possibilities
To fully explore all of the advantages the metaverse has to offer, it is helpful to get a deeper awareness of the educational opportunities it offers. The emergence of metaverse platforms has already had an impact on some areas, such online shopping or live events like concerts, but not on others, like those listed below:
1) Enhancements to diversity, equity, and inclusion
A significant factor in why so much money is being spent on metaverse education solutions is their capacity to offer DE&I benefits. In general, the idea of online education has long been promoted as an accessible option. However, the metaverse goes a step further by making sure that all students can experience immersive learning. These platforms can promote equity by giving every user the same experience, regardless of their unique circumstances.
Equity is crucial in this situation, and educators are urged to emphasize personalized learning chances more in traditional in-person sessions. However, due to a lack of resources and support, instructors have been finding it difficult to implement whole-child approaches to education. Tools, such as the metaverse, can engage kids who need more attention in ways that demand fewer resources while still capturing their unique interests. For many pupils, this can help level the playing field.
In addition to assisting persons who have impairments or disabilities, the metaverse can foster a sense of community and lessen anxiety-provoking habits or social demands. For instance, the metaverse can help some students who have difficulty making eye contact or speaking up in front of a group by giving them control of an avatar. They are then given the freedom to choose from a choice of communication methods in accordance with their own preferences.
The ability for students to interact with other students who have different preferences, skills, and obstacles to overcome in the metaverse can also help DE&I initiatives. Classes that would otherwise be physically impossible for students to attend are now open to them. The POUR principles of the Web material Accessibility Guidelines, which guarantee that material is perceivable, operable, intelligible, and resilient for all, can also be followed by metaverse platforms.
2) Connecting with contemporary students (digital natives)
In order to make learning more pleasurable, gamification of learning is a key component of many metaverse education solutions. This makes sense considering how many students like engaging in other forms of contemporary digital entertainment, employing technology in inventive ways, talking with one another on social media, and playing video games.
Since they were raised in a world of digital technology, many of these students are incredibly tech-savvy. In reality, a lot of people have never known a world without technology. Because they are frequently more tech-savvy than their parents and teachers, they are what some academics refer to as “digital natives.” Some have claimed that because digital natives have grown up with constant stimulation, it is unlikely that a single knowledge source and straightforward teacher-to-student lectures will engage them as much as past generations did. It’s undeniable that in-class games, eLearning, mobile learning, and other new means of teaching are gaining popularity all over the world, and this momentum shows little sign of slowing down, even though this topic is still rather contested in terms of research.
Another branch of this approach, known as metaverse education, aims to involve these kids in a variety of educational resources while also letting them learn in a setting that feels familiar to them. All three categories of student engagement—behavioral, emotional, and cognitive—could be catered to by the usage of metaverse environments.
3) May be used in conjunction with Mirror Worlds to promote immersive learning
One of the main advantages of the metaverse is that it provides a convenient entry point into a mirror world, allowing educators to fully immerse pupils in a learning environment. A mirror world is exactly what it sounds like—a reflection of reality. Building platforms for interaction is made much easier with the concept of mirror worlds, which are one-to-one digital maps intended to replicate the real world as exactly as possible.
Immersive learning attempts can benefit greatly from exploring these metaverse settings. Mirror worlds may become so accurate in the future that it will be difficult to tell them apart from the real world. This also makes it simpler to adapt lessons learned in the metaverse to everyday life.
As an illustration, consider a lesson on the significance of ecologically sound habitats. Some of this education might take place in the metaverse, including teachings on the interdependence of plants, animals, and insects. The kids can then embark on a field excursion for experiential learning and plant flowers in their neighborhood.
The lesson might potentially involve children from different cities, states, or even nations, and the subsequent “real world” lesson could have a significant positive impact on a number of local communities.
Understanding the Metaverse in Gaps
Like other technology innovations, the use of metaverse in virtual learning environments is controversial. Special education is a topic that receives a lot of attention, however its practical applicability may be quite constrained. However, it is anticipated that this will contribute to an increase in demand for an extended reality strategy, either through the use of AR and VR technologies or within a virtual learning environment.
Likewise, the metaverse might offer practical chances to truly increase accessibility. While some limitations or impairments may prevent students from participating in some activities, such as field trips, they may be able to participate in similar outings in the metaverse. This can serve as a meeting space for students with various needs in a setting that is more welcoming.
The Metaverse Education of the Future
It’s crucial for educators to appreciate that while metaverse education is still in its relative infancy, there are a lot of potential advantages that could eventually be realized when technology is adopted more broadly and investments are made.
How various businesses will develop their own metaverse platforms and how these various metaverses will be able to communicate with one another are still to be seen. Additionally, there are several sizable research gaps that we anticipate being filled in the future. When this is accomplished, it should give educators more assurance and better instructions on how to make the most of this technology.
The platform can give the advantages of traditional learning while extending access by making this available through digital devices. It does this by giving students and teachers a virtual learning environment in which to operate. Since the platform may be accessed on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, these advantages can still be realized even when distance learning is necessary or when every student in a class cannot be present at the same time.
Depending on the classes and subjects being addressed, the 3D environment itself can be changed. There are built-in discussion and communication capabilities, and teachers can use the inbuilt exam tools to assess student understanding and adjust lessons in real time based on their individual requirements.
Users have the option to run or walk across the virtual world while also changing views. Features like screen sharing, webcam casting, and using a digital whiteboard are all provided. All of these enable quick and easy knowledge sharing and group learning. Additionally, breakout rooms and the capability to move between various modes depending on the teacher’s demands can be used to meet the needs of the pupils.
Final Reflections
One of the most interesting advances in virtual learning is metaverse education, and while there are still some study gaps, it is already obvious that the technology has the potential to have a big impact on both students and teachers. The metaverse development company offers educational opportunities that meet new students where they are and give them the chance to learn in a comfortable and engaging setting.
Additionally, there are unmistakable advantages in providing accessibility, which is crucial for schools attempting to fulfill their DE&I requirements.
Additionally, these platforms give users a stronger sense of control over educational opportunities that meet the demands of the present age. It can be beneficial to be able to access lessons through an online platform since it allows students to learn from professors and subject matter experts who are not physically present in the same location as the classroom full of students. We should expect to see global collaborations that enable kids to develop solutions for the future, and it’s probable that many schools will use the metaverse in the future to achieve better equity in their classrooms.
