Teachers' Levels of Use and Stages of Concern Regarding Metaverse-based Classes in Home Economics Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify a support method for the introduction of metaverse-based classes (MBC) in home economics (HE) education. This was achieved by diagnosing the stages of concern and levels of use exhibited by HE teachers applying the concerns-based adoption model (CBAM). Questionnaires were sent to a convenience sample of middle- and high-school HE teachers using the KSDC (Korea Social Science Data Center). Overall, 271 responses were received, and the data were analyzed using KSDC E-STAT 3.0 and SPSS 28.0.1.1. The results were as follows: First, regarding the level of knowledge of MBC, the introductory level was the most common (139 respondents, 51.3%,), followed by the beginner level (81, 29.9%), the intermediate level (28, 10.3%,), the advanced level (12, 4.4%), and the master level (11, 4.1%). Average responses on a 5-point Likert scale to questions about the use of metaverse in HE classes were as follows: possibility (4.02), necessity (3.82), and usefulness (3.90). Second, HE teachers' stages of concern in MBC were as follows (in descending order): unconcerned - stage 0, and information - stage 1 (86.9), personal - stage 2 (85.6), management - stage 3 (80.9), collaboration - stage 5 (57.5), consequence - stage 4 (57.4), and refocusing - stage 6 (55.2). Third, the use of MBC was highest for orientation - level 1 (173 respondents, 63.8%), followed by non-use - level 0 (34, 12.5%), preparation - level 2 (29, 10.7%), mechanical - level 3 (15, 5.5%), refinement - level 5 (8, 3.0%), renewal - level 7 (8, 3.0%), routine - level 4 (3, 1.1%), and integration - level 6 (1, 0.4%). Many HE teachers had heard about MBC but were in the introductory level of not knowing what it is, and at the stage of being unconcerned or wanting to know about MBC. Of the 271 respondents, only 35 used metaverse in classes. Therefore, it is necessary to provide teacher training opportunities that provide basic information on the significance and implementation of MBC for HE teachers. Also, an MBC guideline book should be developed and distributed to HE teachers. Finally, a teacher community meeting is needed to share the expertise of teachers with substantial experience in using MBC.