The term "metaverse" first appeared in 1992, in the book *Snow Crash*, written by Neal Stephenson. In 2021, it gained notoriety when Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta—the company that includes Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—would become a company focused on the metaverse. Since then, the concept has expanded to include augmented and virtual realities. However, after the initial excitement, the metaverse has seen a substantial decline in media coverage.

Common sense vs. reality

Although this phenomenon has made it difficult to understand the metaverse, its practical applications continue to evolve. This gap between perception and reality offers opportunities for schools to work on digital literacy.

It is essential to teach students to think critically about the technologies that surround them. There are many examples—such as NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and artificial intelligence (AI)—that, despite being widely publicized, have not been explored in depth and have only served to confuse people. This type of education should help shed light on the true impact of technology on our lives.

Opportunities at School

You don’t need expensive virtual reality equipment to discuss the metaverse in the classroom. A good discussion can spark students’ interest. As they engage with this content, they become active participants in their own learning, delving deeper into the topics.

Understanding how the metaverse connects with other technologies—such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Twins, and Generative Artificial Intelligence—can provide a more complete picture of how everything is interconnected.

This includes discussing which professions may emerge and the environmental impacts of these new technologies. Exploring virtual worlds can help students reflect on their experiences and recognize both the opportunities and the risks involved.]

See also:

• What We Need to Do to Make Progress in the Use of Educational Technology by 2025
• The ban on cell phone use at school
• 5 Marketing Tips for Student Recruitment and Retention

Conclusion

Incorporating discussions, debates, and research on the metaverse (and other technology-related topics) into the classroom is an antidote to superficiality. In this way, schools can better prepare students for a future in which these tools will become increasingly relevant, but where understanding of them may be distorted.

The key is to foster an inclusive and critical learning environment ( especially when it comes to topics related to other disciplines), where everyone can explore the possibilities of the digital world, promoting an understanding that goes beyond common sense.

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