Educational applications of metaverse: Possibilities and limitations

Abstract

This review aims to define the 4 types of the metaverse andtoexplain the potential and limitationsof its educational applications. The metaverse roadmap categorizes the metaverse into 4 types: Augmented reality, lifelogging, mirror world, and virtual reality. An example of the application of augmented reality in medical educationwould be an augmented reality T-shirt that allows students to examine the inside of the human body as an anatomy lab. Furthermore, a research team in a hospital in Seoul developed a spinal surgery platform that applied augmented reality technology. The potential ofthemetaverse as a new educational environment is suggested to be as follows: A space for new social communication; a higher degree of freedom to create and share; and the provision of new experiences and high immersion through virtualization. Some of its limitations may beweaker social connectionsand the possibility of privacy impingement; the commission of various crimesdue to the virtual space and anonymity of the metaverse; and maladaptation to the real world for students whose identity has not been established. The metaverse is predicted to change our daily life and economy beyond the realm of games and entertainment.The metaverse has infinite potential as a new social communication space. The followingfuture tasks are suggested for the educational use ofthemetaverse: First, teachers should carefully analyze how students understand the metaverse; second, teachers should design classes for students to solve problems or perform projects cooperatively and creatively; third, educational metaverse platforms should be developedthat prevent misuse of student data.