Applications of the metaverse in education: A systematic review of studies from 2013-2022

Research output: Contribution to conferencePapers

Abstract

This study aims to understand how the metaverse has been used in educational settings from 2013 to 2022. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was adopted. A total of 22 refereed journal articles were selected. Metaverse applications in education were classified and challenges were explored. First, two categories of the applications of the metaverse were classified: metaverse as a target for development and standalone virtual worlds in which various educational activities can be conducted; and metaverse as a tool for solving problems and performing educational tasks that are difficult to solve in real life settings. Second, challenges in terms of these two categories were discussed. Regarding applications of the metaverse as a target, (a) few platforms have enabled the users to act as avatars that mirror their own behaviours; (b) rare custom tools have been developed to meet the instructional design needs; (c) most platforms have required VR headsets, increasing the threshold for participation; and (d) privacy and ethical issues remain. Regarding applications of the metaverse as a tool, (a) scant studies have examined how social interactions and collaboration occur; (b) few platforms have provided a truly immersive learning environment in which the avatars can mirror real users’ behaviours and interact with other avatars and virtual objects; (c) few studies have presented the instructional design; and (d) most of the studies are small-scale pilot studies. The implications of metaverse in education were discussed. Copyright © 2023 The Education University of Hong Kong.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - May 2023
EventInternational Conference on Learning and Teaching for Future Readiness 2023: “Learning and Teaching in the Eve of Metaverse” - Hong Kong, China
Duration: 17 May 202319 May 2023
https://www.eduhk.hk/iclt2023/

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Learning and Teaching for Future Readiness 2023: “Learning and Teaching in the Eve of Metaverse”
Abbreviated titleICLT 2023
Country/TerritoryChina
CityHong Kong
Period17/05/2319/05/23
Internet address

Citation

Song, Y., Yang, Y., & Tao, L. (2023, May 17–19). Applications of the metaverse in education: A systematic review of studies from 2013-2022 [Paper presentation]. International Conference on Learning and Teaching for Future Readiness 2023, Hong Kong, China.

Keywords

  • Applications of the metaverse as a target
  • Applications of the metaverse as a tool
  • Avatar
  • Metaverse in education
  • Systematic review

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Applications of the metaverse in education: A systematic review of studies from 2013-2022'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.