Metaverse, a trend that is gaining momentum in education

The metaverse is a virtual world parallel to the physical world, represented by avatars (a graphic representation of a person), in which you can choose different scenarios for hanging out, working, playing and studying.

Although the term metaverse is not new, it gained importance in 2021 when Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook was changing its name to Meta and entering the metaverse phase.

Although it is not a short-term project, in the field of education the metaverse is gaining momentum. The so-called “metauniversities”, funded by Meta as part of Immersive Learning, already offer classes in 3D versions, which students access with virtual reality glasses.

For example, it is impossible for a student to visit the Great Wall of China, museums in other parts of the world or dive to the bottom of the sea from a real classroom, while with virtual reality this is possible through digital simulations.

This topic was presented on the webinar “The Educational Metaverse 3D”, organized by the International University of Science and Technology (Unicyt).

At the seminar, Maidolly Engelhardt, senior manager of Metaverso Educativo 3D from Planeta FATLA, explained that immersive learning is one of the latest educational trends emerging from technology.

It develops in three-dimensional environments, which represent real situations in which complex pedagogical processes can be realized, since these are spaces where students participate and immerse themselves in different experiences, Engelhardt explained.‘

in 1992

This is the year in which the concept of the metaverse was first described.

twenty%

of his annual budget Mark Zuckerberg invests in this type of field.

This type of learning requires 100% of people’s mental capacity.

For her part, Fanny Rodríguez, director of TPD Metaverso Educativo 3D, from Planeta FATLA, pointed out that by including this new teaching and learning process, the tendency of students to achieve a better level of motivation and understanding of the content increases enormously.

What challenges does education face in the metaverse?

Rodríguez recognized that there is insufficient technological culture, both in institutions and among professors or mentors who must support students.

Teachers will have to prepare to work in this environment and adapt their teaching techniques to be effective.

High costs of technology, such as investment in digital infrastructure, virtual reality glasses and a good Internet connection, are some of the obstacles to the implementation of the metaverse in schools.

This lack of funds will widen the digital divide in access to education, which has already been felt during the covid-19 pandemic, where some students have found themselves limited by the lack of mobile phones, computers and the Internet.