Metaverse is a technology that can bring sweeping reforms to the educational sector. It might have just caught on in the last two years, but the education metaverse is already making a mark in K-12 and higher education sectors.
Consider this –
Globe News Wire has analysed that the international market for the Metaverse in education in 2021 was USD 4.9 billion.
Moreover, it is expected grow to $ 94.9 billion by 2030.
The potential of the Metaverse in education is clear and promising.
Removing the barriers of geographical locations allows students to access learning from anywhere. This will enable universities, colleges and schools to expand their outreach and allows students to avail of quality education, which can now be cost-effective and within their reach. Students can enrol in any university if they meet the criteria but need not spend huge amounts on relocating and associated costs.
New Age Education Rides on Technology
Education has expanded beyond the four walls of the classroom. It has moved from chalk and board to more experiential forms of learning. The approach has shifted from being instructor-led to student-focused. Especially so in the last two years, the education sector has seen new trends like Online Learning, E-learning, Remote Learning, Hybrid classes etc., which has accelerated the adoption of new technologies to support the latest trends.
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are two technologies that have made much headway in the classroom. They see widespread adoption. Artificial Intelligence is a close contender that has made many inroads into the K-12 and higher education sectors.
The current education system demands new ways so that students can catch up and excel in the contemporary workplace demands. When we talk about K-12 and higher education, it is a comprehensive and vast concept. It is the foundation of a strong, educated society and the avenue into future careers and professions. Metaverse in education has the potential to benefit students across age groups.
Benefits of Virtual Reality in K-12 and Higher Education
Virtual Reality classrooms are transformational game-changers in facilitating K-12 and higher education. They enable better conceptual understanding and increase students’ engagement with the subject matter.
For example,
– PwC, in a report, stated that students who trained in a VR environment were twice more confident in learning outcomes.
– Similarly, a study published in the bone and joint journal reported that VR training helped surgeons and improved the results of hip arthroscopy surgery by 83%.
These are tremendous improvements. This was made possible by VR. VR offers the potential to engage deeply in a zero-error zone. This means that since it is a simulated world, students can practice without the fear of risking life. This removes the primal fear of causing harm by mistake and allows them to be more daring and creative. This enhances self-confidence, a major attribute to excel in any academic stream or profession.
Metaverse Offers Unique Learning Experiences
Metaverse in K-12 and higher education settings offers interactive and immersive situations that foster engagement and retention.
Learning combines all interrelated technologies to create a learning space that is connected, impactful and equitable.
Consider this scenario-
Now, to learn the planetary system, they either listen to the teacher, read a textbook or at the most, watch an animated video.
Now consider that they travel to Mars, land on Mars, spend time on Mars with their friends and observe the effects of physical laws governing the planet first-hand.
Which would be more exciting?
No prizes for guessing- obviously the second one!
This excitement will lead to more self-motivation to build engagement levels.
And having experienced it rather than rote learning it, the memory will stay on longer. Thus leading to higher retention.
With VR technology, students can visit any historical monument, era or civilisation and watch it in real-time.
Metaverse will Enable New Age Teaching Methods.
Learning can move from boring to fun in an instant in the Metaverse. Promoting game-based learning and 3D visualisations, it is a definite game changer for K-12 and higher education. The benefits are manifold, and as the idea evolves, it will be interesting to see how the current barriers break and give way to a more decentralised education system. Moreover, with many routine tasks routed to Education
AI, teachers and mentors can devote more time to students and their learning progress. The Metaverse will also enable more modes of learning content. For students who are at a disadvantage with the text reigning mode can now study and learn in more visual ways. This will make learning inclusive, cost-effective and accessible. It will also ensure that every student meets their learning needs.
Why Educational Institutes Should Consider Metaverse Investments
To summarise, Metaverse in education has many potentials and can offer befitting solutions to overcome the problems of the education sector.
The current education system will not be relevant in the coming days. Its not equipped to develop the skill sets required for new age studies and professions. Technological innovations have seeped into every area of our lives. Many traditional jobs will be replaced with new versions where a new skill set required to man . Education, too, needs to adapt to evolve. It should keep pace with the technology of the times to impart the necessary skills and knowledge to students from K-12 and higher education.
The education metaverse will undoubtedly call for metaverse investments. You can read here how to invest in metaverse? In the long run, that investment will enable sustainability agility and ROIs in business and educational ways.
