Immersive learning in the metaverse: a review of evidence on pedagogical effectiveness and implementation gaps in Higher Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/mr2024.97Keywords:
metaverse, immersive learning, higher education, digital divides, pedagogical effectivenessAbstract
This study aims to conduct a critical analysis of the impact of the metaverse on higher education. To achieve this, it addresses both the pedagogical effectiveness and implementation gaps of this technology. The authors performed a systematic review of recent literature (2020-2025), identifying that immersive environments like virtual and augmented reality enhance knowledge retention in practical disciplines (medicine, engineering), particularly through surgical simulations or 3D prototyping. However, it must be noted that these benefits depend on intentional pedagogical designs and well-structured curricula, moving beyond reductionist approaches focused solely on technological novelty. While tools like AI enable personalized learning pathways, their integration raises ethical dilemmas, with the literature highlighting key concerns such as biometric data privacy and algorithmic biases. Implementation gaps reveal profound inequalities: universities in developed economies adopt advanced metaverse solutions, while institutions in peripheral regions face technical and training limitations. Furthermore, the STEM-focused approach marginalizes humanities and social sciences, where in-person interaction remains crucial. Sustainability also emerges as a challenge, with little discussion on the environmental or economic costs of infrastructure like 5G or blockchain. From this, we conclude that the metaverse is not a universal solution but rather a resource whose value depends on inclusive policies, faculty training, and robust ethical frameworks. We urge prioritizing hybrid models that balance innovation with equity.
References
Shi C, Park J. A systematic review of the Metaverse in formal education. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1108/jarhe-04-2024-0162
Waquar A S, Kareem S, Yasmeen N, Hussain S. From traditional to virtual classrooms: unravelling themes and shaping the future of metaverse education. Interactive Technology and Smart Education. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1108/itse-02-2024-0032
Nedeva V, Ducheva Z. Pedagogical approaches for Metaverse-based engineering education. Proceedings of the International Conference on Virtual Learning - VIRTUAL LEARNING - VIRTUAL REALITY (19th edition). 2024. https://doi.org/10.58503/icvl-v19y202412
Sá M, Serpa S. Metaverse as a Learning Environment: Some Considerations. Sustainability. 2023;15(3):2186. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032186
Kaddoura S, Husseiny F. The rising trend of Metaverse in education: challenges, opportunities, and ethical considerations. PeerJ Computer Science. 2023;9. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj-cs.1252
Alhonkoski M, Salminen L, Pakarinen A, Veermans M. 3D technology to support teaching and learning in health care education – A scoping review. International Journal of Educational Research. 2021;105:101699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101699
Mcnaughtan J, Litsey R, Morelock N. Fabricating concepts: using custom 3D models to teach abstract concepts. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1108/jarhe-06-2020-0172
Kye B, Han N, Kim E, Park Y, Jo S. Educational applications of metaverse: possibilities and limitations. Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions. 2021;18. https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2021.18.32
Fan S, Yecies B, Zhou Z, Shen J. Challenges and Opportunities for the Web 3.0 Metaverse Turn in Education. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies. 2024;17:1989-2004. https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2024.3385505
Bracho-Fuenmayor PL. Ética y moral en la Educación Superior. Una revisión bibliométrica. Revista De Ciencias Sociales. 2024;30(3):553-568. https://doi.org/10.31876/rcs.v30i3.42695
Schott C, Marshall S. Virtual Reality and Situated Experiential Education A conceptualization and exploratory trial. Journal Contribution. 2020. https://doi.org/10.26686/wgtn.12744659.v1
Camilleri M. Metaverse applications in education: a systematic review and a cost-benefit analysis. Interactive Technology and Smart Education. 2023;21:245-269. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4490787
Salloum S, Marzouqi A, Alderbashi K, Shwedeh F, Aburayya A, Saidat M, et al. Sustainability Model for the Continuous Intention to Use Metaverse Technology in Higher Education: A Case Study from Oman. Sustainability. 2023;15(6):5257. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065257
Stern C, Lizarondo L, Carrier J, Godfrey C, Rieger K, Salmond S, et al. Methodological guidance for the conduct of mixed methods systematic reviews. JBI Evidence Synthesis. 2020;18:2108-2118. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBISRIR-D-19-00169
Arruda H, Silva É, Lessa M, Proença D, Bartholo R. VOSviewer and Bibliometrix. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA. 2022;110:392-395. https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2022.1434
Orduña-Malea E, Costas R. Link-based approach to study scientific software usage: the case of VOSviewer. Scientometrics. 2021;126:8153-8186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-021-04082-y
Shaffril H, Samsuddin S, Samah A. The ABC of systematic literature review: the basic methodological guidance for beginners. Quality & Quantity. 2020;55:1319-1346. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-020-01059-6
Zhang H, Hejblum B, Weber G, Palmer N, Churchill S, Szolovits P, et al. ATLAS: An automated association test using probabilistically linked health records with application to genetic studies. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association: JAMIA. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.02.21256490
Bracho-Fuenmayor PL. Estado fallido. Un análisis desde la perspectiva de Rotberg. Encuentros. Revista De Ciencias Humanas, Teoría Social Y Pensamiento Crítico. 2025;(23):228–244. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14268859
Wu Q, Wang Y, Lu L, Chen Y, Long H, Wang J. Virtual Simulation in Undergraduate Medical Education: A Scoping Review of Recent Practice. Frontiers in Medicine. 2022;9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.855403
Campos N, Nogal M, Cáliz C, Juan A. Simulation-based education involving online and on-campus models in different European universities. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. 2020;17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-020-0181-y
Makransky G, Petersen G, Klingenberg S. Can an immersive virtual reality simulation increase students' interest and career aspirations in science? British Journal of Educational Technology. 2020;51:2079-2097. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/2qrs3
Ryan G, Callaghan S, Rafferty A, Higgins M, Mangina E, Mcauliffe F. Learning Outcomes of Immersive Technologies in Health Care Student Education: Systematic Review of the Literature. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2021;24. https://doi.org/10.2196/30082
Li C, Jiang Y, Ng P, Dai Y, Cheung F, Chan H, et al. Collaborative Learning in the Edu-Metaverse Era: An Empirical Study on the Enabling Technologies. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies. 2024;17:1107-1119. https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2024.3352743
Chen X, Zou D, Xie H, Wang F. Metaverse in Education: Contributors, Cooperations, and Research Themes. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies. 2023;16:1111-1129. https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2023.3277952
Yang Q, Zhao Y, Huang H, Xiong Z, Kang J, Zheng Z. Fusing Blockchain and AI With Metaverse: A Survey. IEEE Open Journal of the Computer Society. 2022;3:122-136. https://doi.org/10.1109/ojcs.2022.3188249
Huynh-The T, Pham V, Pham X, Nguyen T, Han Z, Kim D. Artificial Intelligence for the Metaverse: A Survey. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence. 2022;117:105581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2022.105581
Lv Z. Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Metaverse Era. Cognitive Robotics. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogr.2023.06.001
Jauhiainen J. The Metaverse: innovations and generative AI. International Journal of Innovation Studies. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijis.2024.04.004
Marabelli M, Lirio P. AI and the metaverse in the workplace: DEI opportunities and challenges. Personnel Review. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1108/pr-04-2023-0300
De Matías Batalla D, Pedrero A. Metaverse to foster learning in higher education. Metaverse. 2023;4(1). https://doi.org/10.54517/m.v4i1.2184
Pigultong M. Cognitive Impacts of Using a Metaverse embedded on Learning Management System for Students with Unequal Access to Learning Resources. 2022 10th International Conference on Information and Education Technology (ICIET). 2022:27-31. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICIET55102.2022.9779045
Wang M, Yu H, Bell Z, Chu X. Constructing an Edu-Metaverse Ecosystem: A New and Innovative Framework. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies. 2022;15:685-696. https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2022.3210828
Al-Kfairy M, Alomari A, Al-Bashayreh M, Alfandi O, Tubishat M. Unveiling the Metaverse: A survey of user perceptions and the impact of usability, social influence and interoperability. Heliyon. 2024;10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31413
Barrera K, Shah D. Marketing in the Metaverse: Conceptual understanding, framework, and research agenda. Journal of Business Research. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113420
Dwivedi Y, Hughes L, Baabdullah A, Ribeiro-Navarrete S, Giannakis M, Al-Debei M, et al. Metaverse beyond the hype: Multidisciplinary perspectives on emerging challenges, opportunities, and agenda for research, practice and policy. International Journal of Information Management. 2022;66:102542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.102542
Simon C, Hacene M, Lebrun F, Otmane S, Chellali A. Impact of Multimodal Instructions for Tool Manipulation Skills on Performance and User Experience in an Immersive Environment. 2024 IEEE Conference Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR). 2024:670-680. https://doi.org/10.1109/VR58804.2024.00087
Simon C, Hacene M, Otmane S, Chellali A. Study of communication modalities to support teaching tool manipulation skills in a shared immersive environment. Computers & Graphics. 2023;117:31-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cag.2023.09.011
Uddin M, Imam T, Mozumdar M. Research interdisciplinarity: STEM versus non-STEM. Scientometrics. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-020-03750-9
Pellas N, Mystakidis S, Kazanidis I. Immersive Virtual Reality in K-12 and Higher Education: A systematic review of the last decade scientific literature. Virtual Reality. 2021;25:835-861. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-020-00489-9
Pellas N, Dengel A, Christopoulos A. A Scoping Review of Immersive Virtual Reality in STEM Education. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies. 2020;13:748-761. https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2020.3019405
Galdos M, Haneef S. The voluntary underdevelopment paradox: revisiting Freeman's ideas on indigenous capabilities for innovation in the global south. Innovation and Development. 2021;12:33-41. https://doi.org/10.1080/2157930X.2021.1930889
Najab A, Amrani O. Digital Accessibility and Distance Higher Education in the Context of COVID-19. Policies and Procedures for the Implementation of Safe and Healthy Educational Environments. 2022. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-9297-7.ch006
Bong W, Chen W. Increasing faculty's competence in digital accessibility for inclusive education: a systematic literature review. International Journal of Inclusive Education. 2021;28:197-213. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2021.1937344
Zhang A, Olelewe C, Orji C, Ibezim N, Sunday N, Obichukwu P, et al. Effects of Innovative and Traditional Teaching Methods on Technical College Students' Achievement in Computer Craft Practices. SAGE Open. 2020;10. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020982986
Magee P, Ienca M, Farahany N. Beyond neural data: Cognitive biometrics and mental privacy. Neuron. 2024;112:3017-3028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2024.09.004
Gonzalez-Moreno M, Monfort-Vinuesa C, Piñas-Mesa A, Rincon E. Digital Technologies to Provide Humanization in the Education of the Healthcare Workforce: A Systematic Review. Technologies. 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies11040088
Bina O, Inch A, Pereira L. Beyond techno-utopia and its discontents: On the role of utopianism and speculative fiction in shaping alternatives to the smart city imaginary. Futures. 2020;115:102475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2019.102475
Hab N, Kruty K, Tolchieva H, Pushkarova T. Modernization of future teachers' professional training: on the role of immersive technologies. Futurity Education. 2022. https://doi.org/10.57125/fed/2022.10.11.22
Dogomeo A. Digital Technology to Promote Inclusion and Diversity in Higher Education: A Qualitative Insight. Asia-pacific Journal of Convergent Research Interchange. 2024. https://doi.org/10.47116/apjcri.2024.10.34
Jiang J, Fryer L. The effect of virtual reality learning on students' motivation: A scoping review. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. 2023;40:360-373. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12885
Sattar M, Palaniappan S, Lokman A, Shah N, Khalid U, Hasan R. Motivating Medical Students Using Virtual Reality Based Education. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning. 2020;15:160-174. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i02.11394
Amirbekova E, Shertayeva N, Mironova E. Teaching chemistry in the metaverse: the effectiveness of using virtual and augmented reality for visualization. Frontiers in Education. 2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1184768
Tang F, Chen X, Zhao M, Kato N. The Roadmap of Communication and Networking in 6G for the Metaverse. IEEE Wireless Communications. 2023;30:72-81. https://doi.org/10.1109/MWC.019.2100721
Othman A, Chemnad K, Hassanien A, Tlili A, Zhang C, Al-Thani D, et al. Accessible Metaverse: A Theoretical Framework for Accessibility and Inclusion in the Metaverse. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction. 2024;8:21. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti8030021
Mogier G, Khayat G, Elkordy M, Hanafy Y. A Proposed Metaverse Framework Implementing Gamification for Training Teaching Staff. 2023 IEEE Afro-Mediterranean Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AMCAI). 2023:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1109/AMCAI59331.2023.10431501
Neulinger A, Sparer L, Dorner V. The Role of Blockchain Interoperability for a Sustainable Metaverse: A Research Agenda. 2024 6th International Conference on Blockchain Computing and Applications (BCCA). 2024:48-56. https://doi.org/10.1109/BCCA62388.2024.10844416
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Víctor Hugo González Torres , Pedro Luis Bracho-Fuenmayor , Elisabeth Viviana Lucero Baldevenites, Marco Vinicio Carrillo Guerrero, Roberto David Santander Erazo (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Unless otherwise stated, associated published material is distributed under the same licence.
