Metaverse technology is revolutionizing education. It is a third world that mirrors real-life experiences and adding an interesting new dimension to how students learn. The founders of ibentos, a metaverse development company that has an extensive experience of working in EdTech, with team Metaverse911, decoded what this means for the decision makers on a Live Event on Linkedin.

In this captivating 1-hour session, with 1000+ viewers from different channels, the following topics were covered:

What is metaverse and what new opportunities is it creating in Education sector
What are the metaverse applications or use cases in education
Examples of how top insitutions are leveraging the power of this technology
What are the benefits metaverse adds to the traditional and online learning methods.
How is metaverse transforming learning for students and opening more options of personalisation
What are some myths attached to this tec
Contrary to the common misconception, Metaverse learning is not limited to expensive VR headsets. It can be seamlessly executed on desktops, laptops, and even mobile phones, allowing for browser-based interactions. This makes it accessible to students regardless of their device preferences or economic backgrounds. In fact, metaverse is a shared space where students and educators come together from classrooms and remote spaces via laptops, desktops, mobile phone and VR headsets, or all at once.

Challenges of Institutions and their Answers in MetaverseEducational institutes worldwide face a myriad of challenges when it comes to increasing student engagement and delivering impactful learning experiences. These challenges include a lack of interactivity, inaccessible real-world environments for remote students, limited retention of educational material, the struggle with personalization, difficulty in visualizing abstract concepts, and limited collaboration opportunities. technology that are preventing educators from taking the right decisions.
Metaverse is reshaping the landscape of education, offering innovative solutions to these problems. Institutions are embracing the metaverse technology to redefine learning experiences and give their students personalized options to gain knowledge. The technology helps learners visualize topics like never before, gamifies learning for better understanding, helps better retention and therefore, increases in overall performance of the students.According to Statista’s Recent Report:

Global market for educational technology in the Metaverse is expected to have 104.6M users by 2030.
Expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is 42%
78% of educators believe integrating Metaverse technologies improves critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Top 5 Applications of Metaverse in Education

The transformative use cases that are revolutionizing education and are being implemented by various institutions across the world were discussed in this event.

Metaverse For Admissions

Institutes are leveraging the power of the Metaverse to revolutionize their admissions processes. Within this virtual realm, applicants can explore campus virtually, interact with faculty members, and gain insights into various programs—all through immersive experiences. This approach provides prospective students with a unique and easy-to-access experience, setting the institute apart and directly impacting their admission numbers.

With the metaverse in education, institutes can also use AI-enabled avatars to offer personalized guidance to students. These AI avatars help answer students’ questions and offer recommendations, without any dependency on the faculty member or counsellor being present at all times. This blend of innovative technology not only streamlines admissions and enriches students’ experience, but it also showcases the institute's dedication to providing a seamless and engaging admissions journey. In addition, the use of new technologies and groundbreaking innovation sends a clear message to students that the institute is tech-first.

Global Student Exchange Programs in Metaverse

Every student deserves to connect and collaborate with the outside world to enhance their learning, regardless of travel or financial constraints. Global Student Exchange Program in the Metaverse not only enables all students to leverage the benefits of this program, but it also introduces a new revenue stream for institutes. Going beyond geographical limitations, it offers institutes an innovative way to facilitate international learning experiences for their students. Through immersive education metaverse platforms, students can engage in cross-cultural exchanges, language courses, and collaborative projects with peers worldwide, fostering a deeper understanding of global issues and promoting global citizenship.

Let's take a look at a real-world example.

Florida State University collaborated with the University of Tampere in Finland, as well as the Universities of Bergen and Volda in Norway, to create a virtual exchange program in the Metaverse. Students from these institutions came together virtually to discuss pressing global issues like climate change. Imagine 25 students from different countries gathering around a virtual campfire in a digital forest, exchanging ideas and perspectives on sustainability and environmental challenges.

But it's not just limited to universities. The Metaverse is also transforming language exchange programs. For instance, students from the Korean Studies Program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Hebrew class at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies participated in a language exchange program hosted at the Embassy of Israel—in the Metaverse. This virtual immersion allowed students to practice language skills, learn about cultural nuances, and build connections with peers from different backgrounds, all without leaving their homes.

These examples showcase how institutes can leverage the Metaverse for education to create immersive and impactful global exchange programs, breaking down barriers and providing students with unique learning opportunities that transcend borders.

Education Events in the Metaverse

Enhanced Student Engagement and Events in the Metaverse represent a paradigm shift in how institutes can create immersive and impactful experiences for their students. Virtual events hosted in the Metaverse offer a unique opportunity for distance learners to connect with their peers and faculty members, bridging the gap between physical and virtual classrooms and enriching their overall educational experience.

Let's delve into some compelling examples to highlight the transformative impact of Metaverse events:

BITS Pilani's Metaverse Convocation

This groundbreaking digital convocation, hosted on ibentos' Metaverse platform, welcomed 6600 distance learning students at BITS Pilani. This event was not just a virtual replica of a traditional convocation; it was a redefinition of the experience. With personalized entry, humanoid avatars representing each student, and virtual stages that mirrored real-life ceremonies, BITS Pilani showcased its commitment to innovation in education. The use of AI-based avatars added a personal touch, making each student feel valued and recognized, despite the virtual setting.

The metaverse technology brings wonders, especially for students of distance learning programs and e-learning. A metaverse campus for such students gives them a sense of belongingness and enables them to sit next to their peers as avatars and learn collaboratively. Metaverse classrooms enhance their learning experience drastically and help them get a better understanding of their subject.

IIT Kanpur's Annual Cultural Fest in the Metaverse

IIT Kanpur's Cultural Fest in the Metaverse, powered by ibentos, offered students an immersive experience like never before. Participants worldwide explored a meticulously crafted 360-degree replica of the campus, engaging with interactive exhibits, attending workshops, and participating in live discussions. This event was a testament to the potential of the Metaverse in enhancing student engagement and fostering a sense of community spirit. The captivating performances and cultural activities further highlighted the creativity and collaboration made possible in a virtual environment.

These examples illustrate how institutes can leverage Metaverse for education to create memorable and engaging events that go beyond the limitations of physical spaces. By embracing immersive technologies, institutes can transform student engagement, foster meaningful connections, and showcase their commitment to innovation and excellence in education.

Learning & Training in Metaverse

Educational institutions are harnessing the power of metaverse platforms like ibentos to create dynamic learning environments. platform to create dynamic learning environments. They are providing students with versatile options to join sessions from physical classrooms, explore immersive experiences with VR headsets, stay engaged via laptops or mobile phones, and connect seamlessly from anywhere online.

Let's delve into some examples to illustrate how institutes are leveraging the Metaverse for learning and development:

Virtual Classrooms & Lectures

Imagine attending a virtual lecture or seminar in the Metaverse. Students can participate from anywhere in the world, using avatars to interact with professors and peers in real-time. The immersive nature of the Metaverse enhances engagement and encourages students to actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and explore concepts in a dynamic digital environment, while they are sitting next to each other in the metaverse.

Interactive Workshops and Events

Institutes are hosting interactive workshops and events (like career fairs) in the Metaverse, providing students with hands-on experiences and networking opportunities. For example, students can participate in virtual workshops where they can collaborate on projects, solve problems, and learn new skills in the immersive environments.

Gamified Learning

Institutes are revolutionizing education by gamifying learning in the metaverse. This innovative approach combines game elements with traditional teaching methods, creating dynamic and immersive educational experiences for students.

For example, institutes design virtual environments where students can explore, collaborate, and solve challenges, such as uncovering hidden clues to progress in their learning. By integrating gamification and metaverse training into their curriculum, institutes foster active participation, critical thinking, and deeper engagement, ultimately enhancing the overall learning outcomes for students.

Metaverse & AI for Training

Institutes are using the metaverse to test what students have learnt in fun and engaging ways. For instance, students can interact with the AI avatars trained to assess their learning on specific topics. These AI avatars can respond to learners’ queries, ask questions, assess their learning and help them improve.

Metaverse Campus

Metaverse campuses offer institutes a range of innovative features, including digital twins of campuses and metaverse classrooms that provide more opportunities to students. This includes personalization into courses and curriculum, allowing for personalized learning experiences. Students can enter immersive environments, such as visualizing chapters like historical events, making learning more engaging and impactful. For example, they can explore historical events like World War 2 in the Metaverse, elevating the excitement and engagement levels of learning.

In addition to academic activities, a Metaverse Campus can also host extracurricular events such as virtual clubs, cultural festivals, career fairs, and networking opportunities. Students can interact with peers, join clubs of interest, attend virtual performances or exhibitions, and build connections beyond the classroom. Additionally, the admission process can be streamlined through virtual tours and interactive sessions, providing prospective students with a comprehensive understanding of the institute's offerings and campus environment.

Educational course content developed in the metaverse takes the learning experience to another level altogether. Here’s an example from Morehouse College, Atalanta where students use VR headsets in the classroom to access their chemistry lab in the metaverse. Their learning is completely experiential because to learn about molecules, they hold them in their hands and stretch them to the desired size. Such learning experiences have shown a 10% increase in student engagement and a 17% increase in their overall performance, as compared to in-person classroom learning. (Source: Meta)

This innovative approach fosters diverse learning experiences, enhances collaboration, extends personalized learning, and expands educational opportunities beyond geographical boundaries.

Summary

In summary, educational institutions are leveraging the Metaverse to create engaging, interactive, and immersive learning environments that empower students to learn, collaborate, and succeed in the digital age.

At the forefront of this digital transformation is ibentos, a leading provider of Metaverse technology solutions. ibentos' Metaverse platform for education empowers institutes to create and manage immersive learning environments with ease. By leveraging ibentos' technology, institutes can host virtual events, conduct immersive metaverse learning programs, offer virtual tours, and much more seamlessly. This not only enhances student engagement and learning outcomes but also positions institutes at the forefront of innovation in education.

In partnership with ibentos, educational institutions can unlock the full potential of the Metaverse, creating engaging, interactive, and impactful learning experiences that prepare students for success in the digital age and beyond.