Hiroshima Adopts Metaverse In Education
The use of the metaverse is continuously increasing in different sectors, and it has now become a part of university classes in the city of Hiroshima, Japan. The universities of Hiroshima are using this technology as extracurricular activities and part of the classes as well, Japan Times reported.
The metaverse, which allows users to create avatars to represent themselves while communicating with people from all around the world, makes the user feel as if they are talking by looking into each other’s eyes, unlike Zoom and Teams.
Hiroshima universities use the metaverse for classes and extracurricular activities. By creating avatars, students can communicate and socialize with others from far away. #Metaverses
— Sanjar (@sanjar_mohamed) January 30, 2023
Solving Absence Problem
With such features, it has also become the solution for students who are absent from school but still want to attend classes.
“I was feeling distressed and depressed as I only had the chance to speak with my family during my absence from school,” said Noa, a 16-year-old first-year high school student from Hiroshima.
But times have changed and she was able to participate in a program virtually even while being absent from school.
#Metaverse is revolutionizing the education industry in Japan! #2023 #Japan #TechRevolution
— Q.E.D (@wizcap) January 30, 2023
“I could spend quality time while feeling relaxed,” she said after taking part in a program held last fall in a metaverse to support absentees from school.
Three people attended that program organized by a local group to help absent students.
Noa entered the metaverse as a female avatar with cat ears and traveled with other attendees to hear high school students share their experiences of being absent from school.
The virtual world also offers a solution for those who hesitate to speak up in reality.
“Students who were silent at first could make a presentation on a (virtual) stage in the end,” said Kenichi Okamura, 23, head of the group that organized the program. “I really felt the potential of the metaverse.”
The Hiroshima Prefecture board of education has partnered with the non-profit organization Katariba in Tokyo to offer metaverse-related activities as a learning option for students, said Japan Times.
University Classes in Metaverse
Apart from helping students absent from school, the metaverse has also become a topic for university classes in Japan.
“By looking ahead with neofuturistic perspectives, I wanted to try and see how the classes can be expanded,” said Hiroaki Kanoe, a professor of science education at Hijiyama University in Hiroshima, who taught parts of some classes in the metaverse last year.
Kanoe asked third-year students about how the metaverse can be utilized in education during his virtual seminar with them.
The potential of #Metaverse in education is limitless!
Imagine immersive experiences, interactive lessons & boundless opportunities for students.
Do you wish you had virtual field trips or collaborative projects when you were a student?#EducationRevolution #EdTech
Advertisement - story continues below— Vladimir Radu-Radulescu (@VladimirRadu_R) January 30, 2023
Kanoe was intrigued when his student became deeply involved in the discussion surrounding the use of metaverse in education. They even proposed having a virtual environment open during summer holidays, which could potentially reduce absenteeism.
“Compared with online classes, you can feel the presence of others as if you are in a classroom,” said Soko Hamaen, 21, a third-year student who attended a class in the metaverse.
“I hope to explore the uses of the metaverse while making clear the purpose of what to do with the technology, instead of jumping at it only because it is new,” said Kanoe.
With the industry estimated to be worth $13 trillion by 2030, the metaverse is being expanded into different areas of livelihood.
Produced in association with MetaNews.
The Western Journal has not reviewed this story prior to publication. Therefore, it may not meet our normal editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service from The Western Journal.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
