Are we ready to introduce education in metaverse?

By: Prof. Ts. Dr. Manjit Singh Sidhu

Having just gone past the 66th anniversary of our nation’s independence, the educational landscape is undergoing a progressive transformation as it endeavors to embrace a novel paradigm of forward-looking instruction for students. However, the domains of Metaverse, STEM education, and Virtual Reality, despite being on a trajectory of evolution, remain in stages of developmental refinement. Throughout history, education has assumed a pivotal role in reshaping human society and delineating the contours of our global milieu. Its evolutionary journey has traversed from conventional pedagogical methodologies, encompassing verbal elucidations and chalkboard illustrations, to contemporary online learning platforms and simulations facilitated by virtual reality. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic expedited the ubiquitous adoption of virtualized education, fomenting an escalating interest in harnessing metaverse technology as a conduit for dispensing knowledge. Consequently, with the ascendancy of the metaverse, the field of education stands on the precipice of a momentous advancement.

Education within the metaverse context entails the leveraging of virtual reality and analogous immersive technologies to facilitate pedagogy and training. This transformative departure from traditional educational approaches holds the potential to revolutionize the very essence of pedagogical practice.

According to comprehensive market analysis conducted by Vantage, the global market for Metaverse in Education was appraised at USD 4.39 billion in the year 2021. Forecasts indicate an ascending trajectory, with projections pointing to a valuation of USD 32.39 billion by the year 2028. This trajectory is anticipated to be governed by a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 39.50% over the stipulated forecast period.

There are several benefits of introducing education in the Metaverse like learning in virtual environments. Within the realm of the metaverse, educators are empowered to craft immersive settings closely mirroring real-life scenarios. This dynamic capability enables students to actively participate in secure, controlled, and interactive learning encounters. An illustrative instance involves medical students leveraging virtual environments to simulate surgical procedures, while their counterparts in engineering and architecture utilize these spaces for designing and scrutinizing various structures. Such an educational approach not only captivates learners but also furnishes them with hands-on encounters that conventional classrooms might not furnish.

Secondly, making the educational learning more personalized. The metaverse empowers educators to tailor the learning expedition for each individual student. Consider the scenario where a student grapples with a specific concept – the virtual environment can be fine-tuned to facilitate a clearer comprehension of that concept. This personalized pedagogical approach stands poised to foster heightened student engagement and elevate overall learning achievements.

Thirdly, promotes collaborative dynamics. The metaverse introduces a novel avenue for collaborative and team-centric learning. Within its confines, students can seamlessly collaborate on projects and partake in virtual deliberations utilizing their avatars. This collaborative atmosphere serves to amplify their prowess in problem-solving and cultivates a mutual learning ecosystem.

Fourthly, enhances accessibility. Virtual environments break down geographical barriers, offering students the prospect of partaking in educational endeavors from any corner of the globe. This dissolution of constraints stemming from geography, physical mobility, and financial considerations transcends the limitations of traditional education. Irrespective of their location, learners gain access to education, broadening their horizons and refining their competencies. Furthermore, the integration of metaverse technology holds the promise of rendering education more cost-effective and within reach for individuals who might otherwise find traditional education financially prohibitive.

Subsequently, investigations into student perceptions concerning metaverse education reveal an overarching positive and engaging outlook. Students, by and large, embrace this mode of learning with enthusiasm, underscoring its potential to reshape the educational landscape in a constructive manner.

Amidst the myriad and promising advantages offered by education within the metaverse, it is imperative to acknowledge and confront substantial challenges. These challenges encompass various facets, notably the imperative to ensure the caliber and inclusivity of virtual settings, the safeguarding of students against security vulnerabilities, and the formulation of robust standards and regulations aimed at securing a superlative educational experience for all students involved.

The emergence of metaverse-driven education has ignited the potential to revolutionize our learning and instructional paradigms, presenting distinctive prospects and novel experiences. Nonetheless, it is judicious to perceive education founded in the metaverse as a complementary adjunct to traditional pedagogical methodologies, rather than an outright replacement.

To illustrate, conventional classroom instruction remains an indispensable cornerstone of student learning. However, the integration of metaverse-based education serves as a conduit for furnishing students with virtual simulations and immersive practical encounters, effectively bridging the gap between theoretical content in textbooks and tangible application. This amalgamation of theoretical knowledge and hands-on virtual involvement yields a fortified grasp of concepts, heightened engagement, and an augmented level of student contentment.

Education rooted in the metaverse harbors multifaceted advantages for both educators and learners alike. Nevertheless, it is imperative to embrace this paradigm as a supplementary modality, rather than a standalone panacea for education. Acknowledging that the metaverse technology is still nascent, it is incumbent upon us to deliberate upon the potential merits and limitations entailed in its educational implementation. As this technology continues to mature, striking an equilibrium between the metaverse’s facilitative potential and the imperative of safeguarding privacy while fostering an enriching learning milieu will be pivotal. The metaverse undoubtedly offers avenues for educators to refine their pedagogical approaches, yet its integration remains in the formative stages within our educational institutions.

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The author is a Professor at the College of Computing and Informatics, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Fellow of the British Computer Society, Chartered IT Professional, Fellow of the Malaysian Scientific Association, Senior IEEE member and Professional Technologist MBOT Malaysia. He may be reached at manjit@uniten.edu.my