Metaverse and Industries – Education and Learning

The Metaverse, is being adopted into the education system, and it will change traditional learning.

The potential for the use of the metaverse in education is greater than any other current application of it. As the virtual environment technology continues to advance, there are several educational institutions/platforms experimenting with ways to utilize metaverse for education.

Virtual Classrooms and Immersive Learning

1. Spatial Learning Environments: The reason educators can now create spatial learning environments is because of the Metaverse. In these 3D environments students are able to engage with educational content which occurs in three dimensional space. The immersive method helps the student zero in on their comprehension which in turn allows for easier retention.
2. Interactive Simulations and Experiments: Interactive simulations and experiments are some other results of the integration of VR and AR with the Metaverse. This technology provides the ability to create simulations and virtual experiments that students can partake in. For instance, students could walk through a historical event, complete science experiments, or live a virtual life in a real simulation. Whether these activities are “real” or not as no one has had those experiences are worthwhile enough at the university level.
3. Global Collaboration: The Metaverse allows for global collaboration in education. Connecting students and educators from around the world in virtual classrooms. This allows students to participate in cultural exchange, collaborative projects, and gain a global perspective on learning.

Customizable Learning Experiences

1. Personalized Learning Paths: Furthermore, personalized learning paths presented by Metaverse-based education platforms can answer most, if not all, of the student’s requirements. The adaptive learning algorithms can form out a precise analysis on the student about his/her improvements on the computer. By doing so, these adaptive learning algorithms can showcase a wide range of selections from databases to deliver the materials in methods even more alluring and clearer toward the student.
2. Gamified Learning Environments: The Metaverse offers many ways educational content can be integrated within its realms. Gamification elements make learning fun, as well as engaging. For example: educational games, quests and challenges can all be integrated within the curriculum to make the whole experience of learning interactive and rewarding.
3. Role-Playing and Scenario-Based Learning: Virtual environments in the Metaverse allow for role-playing and scenario-based learning. Role-playing and scenario-based learning allows you to be able to play as a character in the game or as the game allows you to make the choices of character in the game and how they present themselves, you would be able to train and become more cognitive as a student while you are playing an education game in the metaverse by being the story’s creator like if you get your character in a bind with a emergency that you are the person who gets to detest on how the character will handle the situation like if the character was in school and were to get into a fight with a peer, you would have to make the decision to have the character the fighting back, to walk away, or to tell a teacher, and even if you tell a teacher you must also make the decision to tell the truth or to not tell the truth. So aside from all that making you more cognitive of a thinker your critical thinking skills could be also improved while playing the game in the computer lab of educational game in the Metaverse by being the user of role-play and scenario-based learning recoiled of the game the character in the game actually playing. You would be able to train and become more cognitive as a student by you having the character in the game actually fighting for you, so that will make you who is playing the game think of how you should fight back or not fight back, and tell the truth or not tell the truth so as a student that is how you will be becoming a critical thinker.

Professional Development and Lifelong Learning:

1. Virtual Workshops and Training: Additionally, this immersive landscape of learning via networked computers facilitate hosting of virtual workshops and training activities. Through a virtual workshops and training programs which available in the metaverse, employers and skilled artists, designer and more can train their employees and apprentices to the targeted qualifications. Through these virtual workshops and training programs, trainees can experience simulated experiments, immerse in real time and phycological training claps, locate and learn through variety of training software’s and hear the voice of competent trainers etc. Therefore, virtual workshops and training activities that are available in the metaverse can be highlighted as a method of continuous learning and upskilling.
2. Virtual Conferences and Networking: By means of the Metaverse, it will be easy for professionals to attend virtual conferences and networking events. Being able to attend these will give professionals a broader range of information as well as making it easier to connect with other people and collaborate. Moreover, this will also give professionals the advantage to connect with one another despite the geographical barrier. Another key advantage to attending virtual conferences would be that would virtually it would be easier for the professional to attend a conference rather than having to travel to it in person.

Challenges and Opportunities Education and Learning

1. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Albeit the metaverse creates great opportunities to obtain new learning techniques, it comes with some challenges, more notably accessibility and inclusivity. Accessibility, both physically and economically, needs to be assured to ensure students who have the dedication to learn have the opportunity to learn in a virtual learning environment (W. Hunt, personal interview, November 6, 2016).
   
   Students who do not have devices, internet connection, and various other factors should not be excluded from learning if they have the desire to learn. For students with disabilities it may pose a hindrance to learn in a virtual schooling environment (W. Hunt, personal interview, November 6, 2016). Education should be available for all students, not just the ones who can get through the digital barrier and for able bodied students abilities have no limitation with technology (W. Hunt, personal interview, November 6, 2016).
2. Digital Literacy and Cybersecurity: In a new age of education, as our classrooms become more and more digital we need to ensure that our students are given the tools necessary to succeed in a digital world while also being kept safe. These factors include knowing how to keep safe online, have good digital citizenship, and knowing the risks of being online.
3. Regulatory Considerations: Regulatory considerations—e.g. data privacy, intellectual property, and standards for virtual learning platforms—become increasingly important as Metaverse comes to permeate K-12 education. Developing clear regulatory frameworks and standards are needed to assure the ethical and responsible use of Metaverse technologies in K-12.
4. Equity in Educational Access: In order to have the same education, we must address the elephant in the room known as the digital divide. Essentially, what this means is that if we want our students to have the same quality of education, then we need to level the playing field out for everybody. We need to provide bridging of the digital divide technological access and support for underserved communities.

Future Trends Education and Learning

1. Blockchain Credentials and Certificates: The use of blockchain technology in the secure issuance of digital credentials and certificates is gaining acceptance. In the Metaverse, blockchain’s roles are to ensure the integrity of credentials and certificates issued and to provide a reliable mechanism to confirm their validity.
2. Integration of AI in Personalized Learning: The integration of AI algorithms will become central to the way students are given personalized learning experiences. Artificial intelligence is capable of adapting to students learning by analyzing the performance of the student, content preference, and the learning style of the user.
3. Hybrid Learning Models: Hybrid Learning Models are probably the future of education in the Metaverse. This may include immersive education that mixes a real physical experience and a virtual one in a way that is seamless. This may in turn be custom fitted just for you, so that for instance, if you are a more touchy feely hands on learner then the teachers can set up the class so you are engaged in a way that stimulates your interests and the way you learn. You could possibly even combine your virtual and physical classes in a day depending on your schedule or needs.

Conclusion Education and Learning

To sum up, education would be changed completely with the introduction with the Metaverse to the field. There would be some challenges to face. On the positive side, education potential may be very different with the Metaverse. The ability to provide different types of education, personalized education, life-long learning and the removal of barriers to learning, points to a very exciting future educational landscape.

(Speaker: Tony)