Metaverse Is Getting Set To Reshape Learning and Education

With so many talks and discussions raving the internet about the concept of the metaverse today, it’s imperative to start discussing all the wonderful opportunities available to internet users around the world. In a bid to do that we would be discussing the impact of this innovation on the education sector. Metaverse is getting set to revolutionize learning and so many can’t wait to see it.

Technological organizations like Microsoft, Facebook, now called Meta and many others have announced their involvement in the race to deliver Metaverse solutions, these solutions will equip internet users with the ability to be at any place in the world at any time in the form of avatars. Through Metaverse people will be able to visit, shop, play games, and interact with any part of the world without leaving their homes. Users also have the opportunity to attend business meetings, conferences, and even lectures anywhere in the world. Virtual reality headsets like Meta’s Oculus VR headsets are infrastructures these technology companies are building for this incredible possibility.

The world has recorded several forms of educational tourism, a situation where foreign students have to leave their countries to other countries of the world to pursue higher educations. Educational tourism remains one of the biggest forms of tourism and this is made possible through various scholarship programs and incentives students from developing countries receive from developed countries. For students who are unable to secure such scholarships, migrating to other countries for the sake of education can be a really expensive venture as they have to worry about the high cost of tuition, accommodation, feeding, and other logistics.

Metaverse could actually be a solution to such huge educational expenses. Already many institutions in thrive countries abroad have offered online degrees and courses that can be taken remotely. The metaverse presents an opportunity where students can actually have all the experience of being in the class without physically leaving their country of residence.

How metaverse could reshape Education and learning

Reduced cost

With the invention of the metaverse today, the high cost of gaining a degree from an international institution will be significantly reduced as students all over the world would no longer need to worry about the huge cost associated with migrating to other countries. Automatically, migration costs like Visa application fees, plane tickets, accommodation, and feeding are simply eliminated through the use of the metaverse. In the metaverse, students will be able to receive lectures directly from the comfort of their homes while having the experience of a physical class.

Remote learning

During the COVID-19 pandemic, while the world was on standstill, the world appreciated the importance of remote learning, virtual meetings, etc. The pandemic proved that learning does not always have to be carried out in a physical space. With the incorporation of virtual learning in the academic sector, physical learning space will be decongested. The metaverse will help to reduce the number of students that show up in a class physically.

Metaverse could reduce racial discrimination

One of the biggest challenges for students who migrate to other countries for educational purposes sometimes is having to deal with racial discrimination. Well not in all cases, but more times than a few, some form of discrimination ensues. While racism still appears to the world as a thing of the past, immigrants still surfer these racial discriminations daily in famous countries of the world. The Virtual learning option available in the metaverse creates an opportunity that helps foreign students feel safer.

The metaverse also throws a challenge on to Universities all over the world that opens doors to foreign students for studies. These universities have to develop virtual infrastructures foreign students can take advantage of through technology. This means that Universities have to build realistic virtual communities that would foster intercultural relationships amongst students.

The idea of having metaverse optimized for distance learning seems promising and exciting at the same time, however, it doesn’t come without its challenges. For students in third-world countries or developing countries, the challenge of adequate internet infrastructure may be a major problem. Slow internet, expensive data subscription, and low bandwidth are challenges that may appear to jeopardize these efforts. Other challenges that may threaten the use of metaverse for learning also include the problems of cyber fraud and identity theft. We believe technology companies building these infrastructures have measures in place to cater to all these. The metaverse project is a very useful technology for learning. Its advantages, in the nearest future, will surpass all disadvantages it may present. Educational institutions across the world should begin having discussions that will foster the viability and sustainability of virtual learning within the education sector.