True innovation will be created when people really think outside the box .
A new world of learning ?
How the Metaverse might re-energise the world of education .
By Sam Ramlu
Facebook ’ s recent rebrand to Meta is a pretty clear signal that the Metaverse will soon be a serious business proposition . And with its imminent expansion comes opportunities limited only by our imagination .
But what is the Metaverse ? Put simply , it is a version of the real world and everything in it , available through Virtual Reality ( VR ) for an online connected environment .
The Metaverse now is in the same stage of development as the internet was in the 1990s . It ’ s largely unknown to the masses and full of potential .
Facebook may have changed its name to Meta , but no one person or company will ever own the Metaverse . Soon there will be a plethora of enablers and content creators designing Metaverse spaces that are inclusive , open and available to everyone .
For the education sector , we are now in a critical discovery phase . The opportunity exists to look at how businesses can incorporate the Metaverse into their offerings and design the future of online learning .
TAKING EDUCATION UP A GRADE Although COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of online education , the sector had been on this trajectory before the pandemic . Virtual Reality ( VR ) can take us the rest of the way .
We ’ ve already seen examples of VR across training in medicine and even mechanical engineering . Students can be transported to surgical suites in some of the world ’ s leading hospitals to work on a patient , or can see a motor deconstructed piece by piece to learn how it operates .
One recent example came via Unitec New Zealand , which enlisted Method ’ s help to create a new online learning experience for its students . Using VR , we were able to take students from the classroom and shrink them down to the size of the micro creatures they were studying . Then , we used this online space to show them a new , engaging way to learn .
Online learning through the Metaverse will be the new field work . Students will have access to endless professionals and real-life experiences to help them discover more about the world .
But as with any new technology , it is safer to take baby steps . If you move people out of their comfort zone too quickly , it will be hard to make lasting changes .
START FROM THE BEGINNING For those in the space , creating familiar environments within the online world is an excellent first step . It ’ s the ideal way for people to begin their Metaverse journey without causing too much disruption .
Start by looking at what you currently do , and how that can appear in an online environment . Most likely you ’ ll begin in a virtual class where students can come and connect with the topics and be present in an immersive space . Take it a little further with something a bit out of the ordinary and make the most of what VR was made for – fully immersive experiences – and you ’ ll see a more natural engagement with students and lecturers alike .
Although we can expect individual providers to start building spaces online based on traditional thinking , true innovation will be created when people really think outside the box .
Consider what the next level could look like . Ask yourself what would you do if you were able to make this a more inclusive , interesting , engaging , fun way to learn ?
Auckland University ’ s Your World Your Way is a great example of using immersive technology to take a standard offering and create a new engaging experience for students . The portal was presented as an online virtual world with areas to explore , events to join and people to connect with .
HIRE OUTSIDE THE BOX Moving away from tradition is going to be hard for many organisations within the education sector . By leaning on those who aren ’ t in the sector – those with the ability to help frame environmental learning – you are providing a new level of strategic thinking to your offering .
The key to making the most of the Metaverse is working together . The whole industry can start to engage diverse thinkers to create the new age of digital learning .
It ’ s time to start looking at this space seriously and that will only happen with collaboration . There needs to be a leader in the space , one who is not just creating marketable content for new students , but truly reworking their education framework to target the students of the future .
And if you think it doesn ’ t concern your business , be aware : the Metaverse isn ’ t a matter of if , it ’ s a matter of when . ■
Sam Ramlu is the founder and managing director of Method , a creative technology studio .
28 | educationreview . com . au