The Power of Experiential Learning with the Metaverse
By: Emma Eisenhauer
Tags: Innovation, Education, Virtual Reality, Metaverse, Edtech

Now that we know experiential learning using moving imagery in a mistake-encouraged environment is crucial to learning new things, let’s move on to how Virtual Reality (VR) in the metaverse comes into play.

But what is the Metaverse?

The metaverse, like the universe, is a world, but unlike our universe, it’s virtual. It’s a world that’s entirely confined to the internet and is accessible through VR and AR headsets. The word “meta” means beyond and “verse” comes from the universe; you can think of it as a world beyond what’s known as the universe

Virtual Reality or VR for short is the use of technology, like headsets, to create a 3D, simulated environment online.

Augmented Reality or AR for short is using technology to augment or change the environment you are already in. An example of this is a Snapchat filter; it changes your appearance, but you haven’t been transported into a new world.

Applications for VR in Learning

Photo by stem.T4L on Unsplash

Language Learning

In school, we learn a lot about writing and reading in a foreign language, but what about speaking? At least for me, the most important part of learning a foreign language is being able to actually speak it which we aren’t taught very much in the classroom. But with VR in the metaverse, instead of needing to travel to Mexico to practice your Spanish, you can become immersed in the virtual city streets, hearing authentic Spanish to practice your accent. Since two big barriers in becoming fluent in a language are geographically being immersed in the world of the language and having the confidence to speak it, in a virtual world, there’s no pressure to speak it perfectly, and it’s no big deal when you mess up.

Public Speaking Practice

Photo by Kane Reinholdtsen on Unsplash

Imagine if you could practice the exact situation of giving a speech in a no-stakes environment.

With VR, you can put on goggles and get over your fear of public speaking by practicing in an environment that feels completely real, but with no stakes.

In the metaverse, it’s ok to make mistakes, in fact, they’re encouraged! Because that’s how we learn.

One company, Virtual Speech, does just that. (But this isn’t an ad for their company!)

With the continual rise of the metaverse, practice environments, like being able to give a speech in a real-feeling but fictitious environment are becoming more widespread.

Work Training

In situations where it’s difficult for workers to “learn on the job”, or it’s dangerous to practice certain situations, VR can be used as a practice environment before being thrown into the real world.

An example of this is STRIVR, a B-to-B EdTech company using VR goggles for companies to train their workers. One company STRIVR worked with is Verizon to train their employees on what to do in the event of an armed robbery. Training for this specific situation is quite difficult to do safely and cost-effectively in practice, but with VR goggles, the employees can practice in an exact replica of the situation as many times as needed. If you’re curious, you can read more about STRIVR’s project with Verizon here.

Another example is in law enforcement training.

In October of 2021, the University of Cincinnati partnered with Google to test and improve a VR training program for police officers called Trainer. In Trainer, the officers are put in life-like stressful situations (in the metaverse), and they can practice their response, so they’re ready the make the right call when the situation arises in real life.

The future of VR in law enforcement training has a lot of potential going into 2022 because of the hype of the metaverse and increased tensions amongst political groups and police officers.

Accessibility for People with Disabilities

Instead of being confined to a wheelchair, the metaverse allows everyone to be on the same level and have experiences no matter your physical limitations. Maybe you want to play a game of soccer for the first time or just hang out with friends without needing special equipment; all of this is possible in the metaverse.

Starlight, a non-profit dedicated to bringing happiness to sick children, is using VR goggles to transport hospitalized kids to their favorite places around the world, allowing them to explore and learn about the world without having to leave their wheelchairs.

The Future of Education and the Metaverse

The metaverse is a huge deal.

Reality Labs by Meta (Facebook) invested $10 billion in the metaverse this past year in 2021. In addition, the metaverse is estimated to grow to a worth of $800 billion in the next three years by 2024.

Language learning, public speaking practice, work training, and accessibility for people with disabilities are just four of the hundreds of opportunities for education innovation with VR in the metaverse.

So what are you waiting for?

TL;DR: Our education system is old, outdated, and ineffective. But, using experiential learning in a mistake-encouraged environment, the metaverse has massive potential to increase student engagement and make education exceptional for our next generation of change-makers.