Par Kounal Gupta
Amid digitalization, businesses across all industries, including hospitality, education, and healthcare, have embraced new-era technologies to stay abreast of trends. Especially in the field of education, the idea of learning and teaching has evolved at a rapid pace. In light of this, the concept that has received a lot of attention in education is the metaverse (a virtual world where users can interact with each other and with digital objects in real time). According to Statista, the revenue of metaverse education segment is expected to reach $56.73 million in 2023. The report further pointed out that the driving force of the sector is the growing adoption of new age technologies and growing demand vocational training in virtual environments. .
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Today, although it is only in its infancy, the metaverse has become an ambiguous jargon. And academics, speakers, policy makers and digital infrastructures have the opportunity to lead the way rather than be swept away. On top of that, it’s undeniable that adopting the metaverse presents some challenges. One of the main concerns is that students can become too dependent on technology and lose their ability to engage with the real world. Therefore, it is essential to find a balance between using technology to facilitate learning and allowing students to develop concrete skills. However, with every obstacle comes an opportunity, and the metaverse in education is no different.
Benefits of Metaverse in Education
Improved learning experience: Metaverse technology can provide students with a more immersive and engaging learning experience than traditional classrooms. Students can explore and build virtual worlds that mimic the real world in a metaverse, interact with digital objects, and collaborate with peers around the world. This can foster a more active and personalized learning experience, boosting student retention, engagement, and role-play activities that are both fun and educational.
Collaboration: In the list of advantages, the metaverse can also facilitate collaboration between students and teachers around the world. A student in a virtual environment can unite on projects and assignments, communicate with each other, and share ideas in real time, regardless of location. Additionally, it promotes teamwork and communication skills and helps learners develop a sense of community. Furthermore, it can also broaden students’ perspectives and expose them to diverse ideas and points of view, thus enriching their learning experiences.
Flexibility: The power of the metaverse can provide educators with greater flexibility in providing information and administering assessments. Teachers, in particular, can create virtual quizzes or simulations to assess student understanding that can be viewed from anywhere with an internet connection. As a result, it will facilitate remote learning and meet the needs of students who cannot attend traditional sessions.
Access to resources: Unexpectedly, the metaverse can give learners access to a wealth of educational resources that they may not have in their physical locations. For example, a student in a remote area may not have access to a physics lab, but can study virtual simulations of experiments in a metaverse. In addition, whether they are students or educators, they can build a place corresponding to their educational needs, develop their avatar to interact with a realistic entity and put theory into practice. Therefore, it can help level the playing field and provide more equitable access to educational opportunities.
Metaverse: the future of education
In the current scenario, advancements in technology have opened up new gateways and are expected to do the same in the near future. And the metaverse among trends has made a significant contribution to the field of education. Additionally, advanced technology has transformed the field of education by providing students with a personalized, engaging and immersive learning experience with flexibility and a collaborative approach. Yet, it is essential to proceed with caution and ensure that this technology is used to encourage learning and personal growth. On the other hand, it’s safe to say that the Metaverse is the future of education and a blessing in disguise.
The author is Founder and CEO, Henry Harvin Education
