Metaverse and education: transforming learning environments in the digital age
Keywords:
metaverse, virtual reality, higher education, immersive learning, literature review, digital transformationAbstract
This study examines the metaverse as an emerging technological ecosystem and its impact on educational processes, particularly in higher education. Employing a qualitative, documentary-based approach grounded in a systematic review of scientific literature published between 2018 and 2025, the research analyzes how virtual, augmented, and mixed reality environments enhance immersive learning, improve knowledge retention, and foster experiential education. The overarching objective is to analyze—based on recent academic literature—the pedagogical opportunities and challenges posed by integrating the metaverse into higher education, with particular focus on medical training as a paradigmatic case of immersive simulation. Findings derived from a thematic analysis of the selected sources suggest that the metaverse has the potential to redefine pedagogical models by integrating interactive and adaptive learning environments. However, challenges such as technological accessibility, infrastructure, digital literacy, and ethical considerations regarding data privacy remain significant barriers. The study contributes to the understanding of metaverse-based education and proposes future lines of empirical research regarding its implementation in higher education contexts.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Joseph Israel Reyes Rodríguez, César Omar Coloma Barragán, Paola Alexandra Calupiña Feijoó (Author)
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