Innovation in Spanish universities

As avatars and within a virtual reality driven by special helmets, students are immersed in different ways of innovation when studying. This is the metaverse, the new technology that is trending these days in terms of innovation in Spanish universities.

It is a term that has made a lot of noise recently and has allowed the development of a series of innovation tools that allow people to have an alternative life for socialising, working, playing and also learning.

Let’s see what the metaverse is and how it is already present in some Spanish educational centres.

What is the metaverse?

The metaverse refers to a virtual environment in which it is possible to interact face to face with other people through avatars and where you can also work, play and study.

To enter it, it is necessary to use a series of electronic devices that are interrelated with an interface and other digital elements to promote an environment very close to reality. It is not just another video game, but a way of living day-to-day life without leaving home.

Since when did we start talking about metaverse?

This term has been very fashionable since the creator of Facebook, Marc Zuckerberg, used it in a presentation in which he defined his new technological projects and where he took the opportunity to change the name of his brand to Meta.

However, this concept first appeared in the 1990s, when the writer Neal Stephenson wrote a novel called «Snow Crash», in which he describes a virtual space preceded by the interactions of internet users on the web who are looking for an escape from their own reality.

Although the novel may seem fantastical and futuristic, today projects are being implemented in which the metaverse is the main objective; we have seen it in the popular game Fornite and in Spain some institutions are using it to teach their students.

How will the metaverse impact our lives?

The metaverse will have a great impact on our daily lives, but, according to research by the World Economic Forum, the greatest impact will be in the area of education, followed by video games and then by work meetings and forms of socialisation.

In relation to education, this new technological application would allow for the improvement of teaching-learning processes, as it will be possible to go beyond the limits and approach content that would be impossible in reality.

For example, in the metaverse it would be possible to explore in detail areas that are difficult to study, such as the inside of a beating heart, or to overcome risky experiences for careers such as firefighting or law enforcement. It certainly seems to be a great addition to our lives.

Metaverse opportunities for students

For students, innovation in cases such as the metaverse is linked to new learning experiences that also directly involve people in the new digital landscape. Where the internet opens the doors to a new era.

Among the opportunities to be found within the metaverse are:

• Spaces for social interaction

In the metaverse, students will also be able to engage socially with other people. Visiting places, playing games, attending events and concerts, talking to other people, would be part of the experiences that can be lived.

• Work

One of the main opportunities provided by the metaverse is to work in areas of interest to the user. This while you are in ideal working environments to develop all tasks and you get a salary for it.

• Shopping

Shopping in the metaverse is not the digital shopping we are used to. It is about living the experience in physical shops. With the possibility of looking at and trying on clothes before buying them, just like in reality.

• Business opportunities

With a whole commercial world immersed in virtual reality, the metaverse would also allow students to start their own businesses. Perhaps more cheaply than in the real world. As you could have a business of products or services available for the rest of the users of this world.

The metaverse has reached education in Spain

Although it seemed a distant idea, technology and innovation is advancing by leaps and bounds and in Spain the first applications of the metaverse are already taking place in universities. Some examples include:

• University of Malaga

This university’s medical school teaches radiology classes through a platform called Second Life, where students can remotely access a realistic and attractive scenario, learning about the practice of this subject.

• ESADE

ESADE has launched its campus, which is a virtual replica of its physical headquarters and features workrooms, classrooms, recreational space and a cafeteria within the metaverse. There, students will be able to explore the potential of this new model and take the Executive Education Programme. By means of an invitation sent by the institute.

• Torrequebrada International School

This institution located in Malaga created a virtual version of itself, called Educaverso, where students can have virtual reality experiences through glasses. In which they can, for example, attend physics class with a trip into space.

The metaverse is already up and running and in Spain it won’t be long before more and more educational centres join this trend. And you, are you ready to experience it?