EdTech and the Metaverse: What Could it Look Like?
Technological innovation is constantly evolving. The newest frontier in the digital landscape is the metaverse: a collection of universes in which the digital and the physical overlap. With technology and education being well immersed, it’s safe to assume that the metaverse will have an impact on schooling; the question is, how?
What is the metaverse?
Simply put, the metaverse is a digital space in which users can interact in a variety of ways. These can include communicating, gaming, and experiencing virtual reality.
How will the metaverse change instruction?
DIFFERENT LEARNING SPACES
With the immersion of the metaverse, the classroom itself is no longer limited in location. The redesigned structure, allowed by technological feats, will have students traveling outside the walls of their schools and into new worlds. Students will be able to use Virtual Reality headsets to explore other countries, historical eras, or even outer space. Augmented Reality glasses could revolutionize the field trip experience. Mixed Reality technology will work to make learning come alive.
CHANGES IN GAMING
Educators understand that gamifying lessons adds fun and increases engagement. The combination of gaming and the metaverse only works to make the activities more life-like. Students can be challenged to rack up points by answering questions and completing assignments, and can “cash in” their points with some metaverse prize or opportunity. The creative incentives are limitless.
ACCESS TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
One of the most thrilling possibilities of metaverse for educational use is the opportunity to interact with artificial intelligence. This futuristic feature will undoubtedly excite students. Learners will be able to receive answers to commonly asked questions via digital avatar. Over time, the avatars could become more developed in their expertise, and possibly able to act as tour guides in the digital world.
The educational metverse is full of potential to engage and excite students. With limitless creative potential, the metaverse could transform our understanding of traditional classroom learning.