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Introduction
Immersive learning technologies have transformed education, creating new possibilities for knowledge acquisition and comprehension. In sustainability education, where complex, interdisciplinary challenges require innovative teaching approaches, traditional methods often fall short. This research explores how metaverse-based learning can bridge this gap, fostering deeper student engagement through immersive and interactive experiences.
Revisiting the educational model
Sustainability education entails tackling complex, interdisciplinary problems demanding innovative solutions [22]. Conventional methods often lack the hands-on learning needed for deep problem-solving. To address this, we employ metaverse technology to create realistic simulations that enhance student interactions in virtual reality (VR) [12]. Such simulations place students in real-world scenarios, encouraging deeper thinking and practical problem-solving–especially important for fields like sustainability and entrepreneurship [13]. Realistic, varied, and interactive settings encourage authentic environments that mirrors real-world complexities.
Some examples of engaging methods in sustainability education are highlighted by Wong and Wong [35] and Markowitz, Laha, Perone, Pea, and Bailenson [24]. Wong and Wong [35] enhanced sustainability education using a private social media platform where students documented daily waste habits, then reviewed peers’ content for more purposeful learning. Markowitz et al. [24] showed that VR field trips deepen cognitive associations with scientific topics–helping students learn, recall, and retain complex concepts like ocean acidification.
While VR can uses simulations and 3D environments to create engaging experiences, metaverse platforms provide persistent, interconnected virtual spaces for interaction, exploration, and content customization. Combining virtual and augmented reality with user-generated content and social interactions, the metaverse offers a more expansive and dynamic environment than standalone virtual reality (VR) [11]. The platform’ built-in tools let administrators quickly build and customize content, reducing setup time [36].
The metaverse as a transformative educational platform
Dwivedi et al. [11] delve deeper into the potential of the metaverse as an educational tool. They focus on four distinct interrelated dimensions: an environment that can showcase both realistic and unrealistic realms, interfaces ranging from simple 3D to immersive VR, complex interactions that go beyond mere conversation, and social activities that encourage peer-to-peer engagement. The metaverse also converges virtual and augmented realities, offering multisensory experiences and user-generated content. In this context, ’presence’ refers to the physical feeling of being in a virtual space [8]. ’Reflection’ involves connecting virtual experiences with real-world contexts, helping students make meaningful connections...