Metaverse‐Based Learning Through Children's School Space Design

Abstract

Metaverse is understood with technological terms such as augmented reality, lifelogging, mirrored worlds, and virtual worlds, and using a metaverse platform is considered an emerging form of learning. Yet, its pedagogical features, such as self-learning, collaborative learning, and learning-by-doing, are identical to those of online learning. In this study, we argue that metaverse-based learning refers to a new reality learners create by assuming that the existence of reality is different in the metaverse. We extracted six educational values in epistemological and ontological senses, reviewing the four realities of the metaverse, including virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and extended reality, which is a way to avoid technological determinists'; approach to education. Based on the valuesbottom-up, collaboration, authorship, ownership, interconnectivity, and community, primary school children's (year 5 & 6) groups (n = 20) redesigned 20 assigned school spaces such as classroom teacher office, science room, and music room on their chosen metaverse platforms.Throughout the thematic analysis of design artifacts, activity scenarios, and reflection & presentation, we discovered four themes: collaborative learning with co-ownership and coauthorship; being interconnected with all living and non-living things; co-participants with different roles; and transdisciplinary research-driven learning, which is used to articulate a framework for metaverse-based learning, which is different from online learning.

Benefits of Metaverse Application in Education: A Systematic Review

“…Internet of Things 4 [29], [32], [45], [46] 6 Augmented reality 17 [30], [36], [41], [44], [45], [47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58] 7 Extended reality 2 [26], [59] 8 Virtual reality 40 [31], [35], [37], [40], [43][44][45][46][47][48] RQ2. What are the benefits of the metaverse in education?…”

“…Uses the knowledge you have to learn more 27 [30], [31], [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43], [46], [48][49][50][51], [54], [55], [61], [63], [72], [73], [77], [78], [82], [83] 5 Explicit learning He wants to learn and selectively chooses what he considers relevant. 23 [28], [30], [31], [33], [38], [43], [51], [55][56][57][58], [62], [63], [66], [67], [70], [72], [73], [75], [76], [78], [79], [81]…”

Virtual Worlds for Learning in Metaverse: A Narrative Review

“…Battal and Taşdelen (2023) conducted a bibliometric analysis of publications related to virtual worlds in education, highlighting the fluctuation in the number of publications over time and identifying key themes such as e-learning and higher education [9]. Dreamson and Park (2023) discussed metaverse-based learning and identified six educational values, emphasizing the importance of collaborative and transdisciplinary learning [22]. Porat, Shamir-Inbal, and Blau (2023) explored the integration of Open Sim-based virtual worlds in K-12 education, focusing on the shift from teacher-centered to student-centered learning practices [23].…”

“…The relationship between virtual worlds and educational strategies has been discussed by Porat et al (2023) [23] explored teaching prototypes and strategies for integrating Open Sim-based virtual worlds in K-12 education, focusing on student-centered learning practices. Dreamson et al (2023) [22] argue for metaverse-based learning as a distinct form of education, emphasizing collaborative learning, co-authorship, and transdisciplinary research-driven learning. Richter et al (2023) [25] offered a comparative analysis of the Metaverse and previous virtual worlds; this study highlighted the evolution of user experience in virtual environments and its implications for educational settings.…”

Metaverse-infused academic libraries: a glimpse into the future

“…This alleviates the arduous task of sifting through myriad options, enabling students and researchers to pinpoint pertinent materials effortlessly. Moreover, the metaverse introduces the prospect of immersive learning experiences by hosting virtual replicas of physical libraries in a three-dimensional environment (Dreamson and Park, 2023). AI complements this by introducing intelligent virtual assistants that guide users, answer queries and offer personalized assistance, a level of interaction unattainable in traditional libraries.…”