The world of education is changing rapidly and the introduction of future new internet technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality and blockchain are revolutionizing the way we learn.
These advances have enabled us to expand learning opportunities beyond traditional classrooms and training rooms, making education in the metaverse a hot topic. We can now explore different topics through immersive experiences, not just reading books or listening to lectures.
Let’s take a closer look at how the Internet of the future will change the way we learn, from formal learning to on-the-job training.
How the Internet of the Future Will Improve Formal Education
Formal education institutions are increasingly turning to the Metaverse to incorporate innovative teaching methods into traditional classrooms.
Within the VR environment, students can also explore their surroundings, interact with objects, and collaborate with each other on projects and simulations.
VR enables teachers and students to explore different worlds without leaving the classroom. This could include visiting historic sites, exploring space, or taking a virtual tour of a foreign country.
In immersive VR worlds, you can do things that are impossible in a classroom, such as viewing the Earth from space or zooming out for an interactive tour of the human body. For example, Labster’s virtual lab platform allows students to experiment with her 250+ virtual lab simulations, allowing them to conduct a variety of experiments in a safe manner.
AR can also be used to overlay digital elements on top of real-world classroom objects. This is a very useful way to bring concepts to life in the classroom. For example, Froggipedia is a hands-on AR experience that guides students through the process of studying frog internal organs without the need for actual dissection.
Studies show that learning through experience improves the quality of student learning and improves knowledge retention by as much as 90%.
This type of immersive learning experience provides a deeper understanding of complex concepts and increases participation for learners who may not have been interested in traditional teaching approaches.
Transforming workplace training
Companies are also leveraging the power of the Internet of the future to create more effective and enjoyable employee training programs.
By creating realistic simulations within virtual environments, employers can provide hands-on experiences for employees without leaving their seats or incurring the additional costs associated with physical locations and materials required for training sessions. Immersive training also reduces the risk of learning scenarios that are normally dangerous, such as firefighter or law enforcement training.
This type of immersive learning helps employees retain information more easily than traditional methods such as listening to lectures, reading written instructions, or watching training videos.
Multinational oil and gas company BP partnered with Igloo Vision to create safe virtual training for refinery workers. Igloo Vision built a 6m tall igloo at BP’s refinery in Hull, UK, allowing employees to experience a detailed replica of the plant and perform critical safety tasks.
The Role of Blockchain in the Future of Education
Blockchain technology could also impact the future of education by providing a way to store educational data securely and immutably. By using blockchain, educational institutions can securely store student records, course materials, transcripts and other important documents in an encrypted digital ledger. This ensures that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive information while protecting it from malicious actors and hackers.
In the future, we may be able to store and verify educational credentials from various providers and institutions in one place, eliminating the need to call various universities to obtain copies of transcripts and certificates. All of our education records are stored on the blockchain and we can have things like cryptocurrency wallets and e-passports as credentials.
Smart contracts could also help streamline administrative processes such as new student enrollment and credit transfer between universities.
Bring learning into the future
The Metaverse and related technologies are having a major impact on education. From augmented reality to virtual reality, these tools are revolutionizing the way we learn in both formal education settings and workplace training settings.
Education may continue to evolve in exciting ways as more people become familiar with the capabilities of the Metaverse. We have already made great strides towards creating more interactive and immersive learning experiences for learners of all ages.
Educators, businesses, governments and technology professionals must work together to ensure a successful transition from traditional classroom-based teaching methods to hybrid adoption where learning takes place in shared virtual environments and physical classrooms.
