Dear Educators & Friends,
It’s probably not surprising, but I am obsessed with the metaverse. There is amazing potential for it in education.
But… virtual environments should only be used when they support learning outcomes. As with any technology, we must align our learning goals to the what, why, when, and how of the metaverse.
A new guide was released this month by Meridian Treehouse about the use of the metaverse in education and I really like how they codified the use cases. Use the metaverse when real life is:
1) dangerous (like climbing a mountain)
3) counter-productive (like eliminating a plant species to see what happens to an ecosystem)
4) expensive (like a trip to the moon)
With the metaverse also comes avatars. Avatars are an extension of our identities. Sometimes, avatars emulate who we are in real life. Other times, avatars portray a fantasized version of ourselves.
This issue is all about the psychology of avatars. The concept of avatars is not new but the adoption has multiplied across industries.
As our kids navigate this new world, it’s imperative that we understand the implications on their psyche.
“Reports have shown that players can feel empowered by a skilled and charismatic avatar, admire the virtues of a non-playable character, feel gratitude towards an ally, and show respect for an honorable enemy. But they can also feel responsible for the safety of a character the game has left under their protection, or become infatuated with another and try to develop a relationship with them.” (
Aranzaes @gamesindustry.biz)
Our kids are already having these experiences. It’s up to us to provide guidance on how to navigate uncertain circumstances with wisdom. The more we understand, the more they will too.
Warmly yours,
Vriti & the k20 Educators team
