EDUCATION in the metaverse context entails the leveraging of virtual reality and immersive technologies to facilitate pedagogy and training.
According to a comprehensive market analysis by Vantage, the global market for education in the metaverse was appraised at US$4.39 billion in 2021. Forecasts indicate an ascending trajectory, reaching US$32.39 billion by 2028. This trajectory is anticipated to be governed by a compound annual growth rate of 39.5 per cent over the forecast period.
In the metaverse, educators are empowered to craft immersive settings closely mirroring real-life scenarios. This enables students to actively participate in secure, controlled and interactive learning encounters.
This approach not only captivates learners, but also gives them hands-on encounters that conventional classrooms can't.
Secondly, the metaverse empowers educators to tailor the learning experience to each student. This will improve student engagement and learning achievements.
Thirdly, the metaverse introduces a novel avenue for collaborative and team-centric learning.
Students can easily collaborate on projects and join virtual discussions, which will boost mutual learning.
Fourth, virtual environments can overcome geographical barriers, offering students a chance to access education from any corner of the globe.
This dissolution of constraints stemming from geography, mobility and money can overcome the limitations of traditional education.
Irrespective of their location, learners can gain access to education, broadening their horizons and refining their competencies.
Furthermore, metaverse technologies can make education more cost-effective and accessible to individuals who may find traditional education financially prohibitive.
Metaverse-driven education can revolutionise learning and instructional paradigms, presenting distinctive prospects and novel experiences.
Education in the metaverse complements traditional education, rather than an outright replacement. Conventional classroom instruction remains an indispensable cornerstone of learning.
The metaverse offers avenues for educators to refine their pedagogical approaches, yet its integration remains in the formative stages in our educational institutions.
PROFESSOR DR MANJIT SINGH SIDHU
College of Computing and Informatics, Universiti Tenaga Nasional