Metaverse for education: tools accessible to teachers and students using only a computer or smartphone

So, what exactly is the metaverse?

The metaverse is a persistent shared virtual space where individuals use avatars to interact not only with the environment but also with each other in real-time.

XReady Lab’s biology teacher captured a virtual selfie during a biology class at Spatial, featuring students exploring 3D models of a heart and cell organelles through their 3D avatars

The metaverse offers several compelling advantages for educational settings, serving as a powerful tool to enhance the learning experience. Here’s why:

1. Immersive Learning Experiences: Students can engage with educational content in immersive environments within the metaverse. They can explore historical sites, simulate scientific experiments, or participate in virtual field trips, making learning more interactive and enjoyable.
2. Personalized Learning: The metaverse enables personalized learning experiences tailored to individual student needs and learning styles. Educators can create adaptive learning paths, customized content, and interactive activities that cater to each student’s pace and preferences, promoting better retention and understanding.
3. Real-World Applications: Students can apply their knowledge in practical scenarios through simulations and role-playing activities offered by the metaverse. This hands-on approach bridges the gap between theory and practice, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Metaverse platforms can be accessed via virtual reality (VR) devices or using a computer, tablet, or smartphone, making VR headsets optional rather than mandatory.

Here, we’ll explore educational platforms within the metaverse that do not require VR devices:

Roblox

Originally a popular entertainment platform among children, Roblox features games and experiences created by its users. While not initially designed for education, Roblox is expanding into educational content. It has received endorsements like the ISTE Seal of Alignment for educational applications.

Enrich your curriculum with 3D educational adventures that leverage students’ creativity, teamwork, and social engagement on the Roblox platform.

Check out educational games and experiences on Roblox here.

This approach demonstrates how the metaverse can be leveraged as a versatile educational tool, accessible across different devices and offering engaging learning opportunities beyond traditional methods.

Roblox Education offers a growing range of immersive learning experiences tailored to different grade levels and subjects. These experiences deliver curriculum-aligned, engaging, and game-based educational content to the global Roblox community through collaborations with educators and developers.

For example, in a game exploring the human immune system, students are immersed inside the body of a patient, witnessing firsthand how the immune system defends against pathogens. Players assume the roles of five types of white blood cells, learning their specific functions and collaborating to protect the host’s health.

UNIVERSE

On the other hand, UNIVERSE was specifically developed for educational purposes, distinguishing it from Roblox. This classroom tool enhances traditional face-to-face lessons by offering immersive experiences, making it ideal for both in-person and distance education settings. Teachers and students interact using customizable avatars.

UNIVERSE provides flexibility with teacher and student accounts, allowing educators to customize classroom layouts based on class size. Teachers maintain control over virtual lessons, switching between lecture and discussion modes. They can share screens, slides, or webcam feeds to guide lessons and create engaging breakout room scenarios to foster collaboration among students. Quick checks for understanding help assess student comprehension and identify areas needing further explanation.

UNIVERSE is compatible with Windows, ChromeOS, MacOS, and iOS, ensuring seamless operation across desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones without requiring additional accessories.

While UNIVERSE is a paid tool, you can explore its features with a free 7-day trial. Visit the UNIVERSE website to calculate software costs by specifying the required number of teacher and student accounts.

Spatial

Spatial is a versatile metaverse initially designed for general use but adaptable for educational purposes. Users can customize their virtual environments by uploading media and 3D models, and they have access to an integrated Internet browser.

Teachers and students can collaborate in real-time within shared virtual spaces using Spatial. This platform is accessible through VR devices, as well as web and mobile versions.

Below is a replicated image from earlier in this article: XReady Lab biologist Sofiia Sosnovskaia captured a virtual selfie while conducting a demonstration lesson in a virtual classroom. In this demo, students (represented by their 3D avatars) explore topics such as cell structure and a model demonstrating the function of the human heart.

Virtual biology lesson by XReady Lab in Spatial

If you require high-quality educational content for uploading, including 3D models and curriculum-relevant tests, please contact us ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Free 3D models and test to upload in your Metaverse

While metaverses have primarily been associated with entertainment, there is a growing trend towards their application in education. As highlighted in this article, leveraging educational metaverses often doesn’t necessitate new devices like VR headsets. All that’s required are a computer and a smartphone.

Current tools offer substantial opportunities to enrich educational experiences, boost classroom engagement, and bridge the gap between distance and in-person learning. We anticipate rapid advancements in educational metaverses in the years ahead.