At-home learning, aided by technological advances, became a mainstay during the recent COVID-19 pandemic.  Now that restrictions have been lifted, individuals have become more comfortable with remote learning.  Does the metaverse have the potential to change the face of education?

Growing Acceptance of Remote Learning

Remote learning at the university level is growing while on-campus enrollment is declining, according to an article in DiverseEducation.[1]  Over the past several years, remote learning has been accomplished through platforms like Zoom.  However, with the anticipated growth of remote learning, the metaverse may offer a better option.

Potential Benefits of the Metaverse in the Field of Education

Augmented and virtual reality (AR & VR) may allow for substantial improvements over current online platforms such as Zoom.  What potential advantages does the metaverse offer education?

• Creating an Engaging and Life-Like Classroom

The metaverse may enable educational institutions to create more life-like classroom environments, even creating a digital twin of its physical campus.  Learners may create personal avatars to interact with others in a digital classroom.

• Promoting Communication

Physical distance can create feelings of isolation and loneliness among remote learners.  Virtual classrooms may allow remote learners to interact and collaborate via their personal avatars with other participants and instructors. 

• Diversity

The metaverse may allow individuals from around the world to interact in digital classrooms, allowing interaction among individuals whose paths may never have crossed in the physical world.  Time and distance are virtually erased in the metaverse.

• Fully Immersive Experience

AR and VR may allow for fully immersive educational experiences.  Think about virtually dissecting a frog in a metaverse lab.  Rather than just seeing photos of historical locations, imagine walking through digital recreations.

Is Learning Enhanced?

Can the metaverse enhance the learning experience and improve educational outcomes? Consider the results of one study. 

Prominent edtech researcher Richard Mayer published a paper describing an experiment to test the hypothesis that a lesson in VR would be more effective than the same lesson delivered via standard video. 

The study took 100 middle school students on a virtual field trip to learn about climate science.  Some students were equipped with a VR headset, while others watched the same material in standard video on a computer screen.

The group in the VR group scored significantly better on an immediate post-test and on a test given later in the term.  The VR group also reported higher presence, interest, and enjoyment.[2]

Additionally, a recent study by consultant PwC found that 40% of VR learners are more confident in applying what they’ve been taught and feel 150% more engaged during classes.[3]

The Future Is Now

Ten colleges have teamed up with technology companies to create metaversities – digital twins of their campuses.  Most notable are Morehouse College in Georgia, University of Maryland, and West Virginia University.[4]

As the technology improves, we expect more educational institutions to embrace the metaverse as part of their remote learning platforms.
 

[1] Kelliher, Rebecca, What Could the Metaverse Mean for Higher Education?, DiverseEducation, 6/9/22

[2] Young, Jeffrey R., Can the Metaverse Improve Learning? New Research Finds Some Promise, EdSurge, 4/29/22

[3] Edward, Roz, Morehouse Breaking Bold New Technology for Metaverse Learning, Atlanta Daily World, 5/21/22

[4] Melnick, Kyle, 10 “Metaversities” Are Opening Across the US This Fall, VKScout, 4/7/22