Meta is building “metaversities” across Europe, creating virtual versions of real campuses where students can engage with their university communities remotely. These digital campuses allow students from universities such as Leeds, Basque Country, and Hannover to attend live classes, work around campus spaces, and connect with classmates from any location.
Leeds has already used its digital twin for theatre courses, while Basque Country and Hannover plan to introduce anatomy and physiology classes. With these campuses going digital, it might be important to go over what exactly the metaverse is bringing to education.
Through metaversities, Meta hopes to make university life accessible in new ways. Bringing some aspects of campus life online allows students to participate in classes and events without needing to be physically present. This setup gives students access to resources and real-time interactions, blending physical and digital experiences in new and practical ways.
With all this being said, it might be important to go over what exactly the Metaverse is, and how its used in different ways…
What Is The Metaverse?
If you’re not up to speed, the metaverse is a type of online world that brings together virtual and real-life experiences through 3D tech. Users can interact using digital avatars and this can mirror reality. It was first introduced in a 1992 novel by a man named Neal Stephenson and then recently, companies like Meta and Microsoft then began creating their own virtual platforms.
People can socialise, work, shop and play games in ways that feel more lifelike than your usual online interactions. People can use the Metaverse through mainly virtual reality and augmented reality tools for a more immersive experience.
How is the Metaverse Used Today?
The Metaverse has is used in a few different ways in the digital world today:
Gaming– Platforms like Roblox and Decentraland let users experience immersive spaces, where they can play, trade, and interact in a shared digital world.
Virtual Events– Events such as concerts with artists like Travis Scott bring users a more immersive way to experience their favourite songs, even without being physically there. Many experts expect sports and other large gatherings to start doing this as well.
Retail– Brands are setting up virtual stores in the Metaverse for better shopping experiences. For instance, Ikea uses VR to let customers “place” furniture in their homes so that they can make better choices when buying.
Healthcare– Virtual spaces let doctors consult remotely for more ways to connect with patients, especially in instances where the patient is not able to physically go to a doctor
What Are the Benefits of the Metaverse?
The Metaverse has quite a number of benefits for personal, professional, and social life. It lets people engage with others and their environment in a digital space that feels lifelike. Some main benefits include remote work, where colleagues can interact as avatars, and enhanced education, where immersive tools make learning more engaging.
The Metaverse also enables lifelike social interactions through virtual spaces, making online gatherings feel closer to real life. Additionally, virtual tourism opens doors to destinations that might otherwise be out of reach.
What Technologies Power the Metaverse?
Advanced technologies drive the Metaverse, helping to make its virtual spaces interactive and secure. Blockchain technology is one of them, and is important for secure transactions and ownership, allowing NFTs for buying and selling digital items.
Artificial intelligence is another, and it supports realistic avatars and NPC interactions that create these amazing environments. 3D reconstruction is another, especially in real estate, and it allows for immersive virtual tours, while IoT, finally, links real-world data to virtual spaces, adding connectivity and realism.
