Metaverse in Open and Distance Learning: A SWOT Analysis

Year 2022, , 497 - 507, 31.12.2022

Murat Artsın , Aslıhan Bağcı Sezer

https://doi.org/10.5961/higheredusci.1107335

Cited By: 2

Abstract

Metaverse is an interactive ecosystem that makes it possible to build infrastructures that connect 3D virtual worlds to the real world. With these features, it is important to determine the true potentials that Metaverse has over learning-teaching processes. For this purpose, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of Metaverse, which can be used in the learning-teaching processes of Metaverse, were examined by qualitative document analysis method. In the research, Web of Science and Scopus as primary sources, Google Scholar as secondary sources, and textual sources on technology websites as tertiary sources were used. According to the research findings, the strengths of the Metaverse were discovered as; time and space flexibility, accessibility, self-directed learning, collaborative learning, reallife experience, increased motivation, physical presence, satisfaction, teamwork, independent work, authentic communication, anti vurgulanmaktadiscrimination, equality, and independence of space. Weaknesses of Metaverse platforms were shown as; limited transition between different virtual worlds or universes, concerns about sustainability, lack of qualified manpower, limited budgets, LMS integration, high cost, limited content development, insufficient research, real-life application, identity problems, lack of TPACK development, platform uncertainty. Opportunities offered by Metaverse were listed as; ar, vr, xr, blockchain technologies, employment, cooperative learning, student participation, sense of belonging, real-life applications, safe practice areas, and providing culture transfer. The threats that Metaverse has were stated as; security, identity problems, cyberbullying, digital violence, polarization, intellectual property, online addiction, lack of in-service training, harassment, cheating, fraud, lack of trust in service providers, loss of real-virtual boundaries, concerns about technology acceptance, technological anxiety, and the compatibility problems in teaching methods. The findings of the study were discussed together with the theories, practices and approaches in the open and distance learning field.

Keywords

Metaverse, open and distance learning, SWOT analysis

Açık ve Uzaktan Öğrenmede Metaverse: Bir SWOT Analizi

Abstract

Metaverse, üç boyutlu sanal dünyaların fiziksel dünya ile bütünleştirildiği altyapılara imkân sunan etkileşimli bir ekosistemdir. Bu özellikleri ile Metaverse’ün öğrenme-öğretme süreçlerine sağlayacağı potansiyellerin belirlenmesi önem arz etmektedir. İşte tam bu sebeple, Metaverse’ün öğrenme-öğretme süreçlerinde kullanılabilecek güçlü yönleri, zayıf yönleri, fırsat ve tehditleri nitel doküman analizi yöntemiyle incelenmiştir. Araştırmada birincil kaynaklar olarak Web of Science ve Scopus, ikincil kaynak olarak Google Scholar ve üçüncül kaynak olarak teknoloji web sitelerindeki metinsel kaynaklardan faydalanılmıştır. Araştırma bulgularına göre Metaverse’ün güçlü yönleri; zaman ve mekan esnekliği, erişilebilirlik, öz-yönetimli öğrenme, işbirlikçi öğrenme, gerçek hayata yakın deneyim, motivasyon artışı sağlama, fiziksel bulunuşluk hissi, memnuniyet artışı, ekip çalışması, bağımsız çalışma, otantik iletişim, ayrımcılıkla mücadele, eşitlik, mekân bağımsızlığı olarak belirlenmiştir. Metaverse’ün zayıf yönleri; evrenler arası geçiş sıkıntısı, sürdürülebilirliğe yönelik endişeler, nitelikli insan gücü eksikliği, sınırlı bütçeler, LMS entegrasyonu, yüksek maliyet, içerik geliştirmenin kısıtlı olması, yetersiz araştırma, gerçek hayat uygulaması, kimlik sorunları, TPACK gelişim eksikliği, platform belirsizliği olduğu görülmüştür. Metaverse’ün sunduğu fırsatlar; ar, vr, xr, blockchain, insan gücünde istihdam, işbirlikli öğrenme, öğrenci katılımı, aidiyet hissi, gerçek hayatta uygulama zorluğu, güvenli pratik alanları, kültür transferi sağlaması olarak sıralanmıştır. Metaverse’ün tehditleri ise; güvenlik, kimlik sorunu, siber zorbalık, dijital şiddet, kutuplaşma, fikri mülkiyet, çevrimiçi bağımlılık, hizmet içi eğitim eksikliği, taciz, hile, dolandırıcılık, hizmet sağlayıcılara ilişkin güven sorunu, gerçek-sanal sınırlarının kaybolması, teknolojinin kabulüne yönelik endişeler, teknolojik kaygı, öğretim yöntemlerindeki uyum sorunları olarak tespit edilmiştir. Çalışmanın bulguları açık ve uzaktan öğrenme alanyazında yer alan kuram, uygulama ve yaklaşımlar ile tartışılmıştır.

Keywords

Metaverse, açık ve uzaktan öğrenme, SWOT analizi

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