Episode 13: Educational Campus in the Metaverse

00:00:00: Welcome to Campus to Cyber, the podcast by the word German UDS.

00:00:14: In this episode we are exciting to introduce you to BICME, Education Campus in the Metaverse,

00:00:22: a project based at the German UDS.

00:00:25: We are using AI to produce this podcast powered by Notebook LM.

00:00:30: Today's topic takes us into the heart of the project, the development of a fully digital

00:00:35: university campus in the Metaverse.

00:00:38: This both initiative is transforming how we think about learning environments, making

00:00:43: education more accessible on the global scale.

00:00:48: The virtual campus will provide immersive interactive spaces that enhance the learning

00:00:54: experience like never before.

00:00:56: So let's jump into the dive deep into the future of Metaverse at the German UDS and

00:01:01: explore how the digital transformation is shaping the future of education.

00:01:17: Welcome back everyone for another deep dive and today we are diving into your research

00:01:21: grant proposal about creating a virtual university campus in the Metaverse.

00:01:27: It's fascinating really, this proposal from the Jern University of Digital Science.

00:01:32: It isn't just some far off thing, you know like a futuristic fantasy, it's based on research

00:01:37: about how we learn and collaborate in virtual spaces.

00:01:40: Yeah, it's really interesting how they present the Metaverse as this engine for innovation.

00:01:46: I mean it's more than just recreating the physical world, right?

00:01:49: So looking at how we can go beyond the limits of that.

00:01:51: It's like taking all the best parts of a real campus and sort of amplifying them in this

00:01:56: digital space.

00:01:57: One of the biggest things that stands out to me is this idea of no more geographical barriers

00:02:01: to collaboration.

00:02:02: Absolutely.

00:02:03: Imagine if a student in Brazil could attend a seminar led by let's say a professor in

00:02:08: Japan all from a virtual dorm room.

00:02:10: That accessibility could really change things for students in remote areas or who have trouble

00:02:15: traveling.

00:02:16: It's like teleporting to these incredible classrooms and labs all over the world.

00:02:20: But it's more than just attending lectures, right?

00:02:23: This proposal seems to really focus on how powerful collaborative learning could be in

00:02:28: the Metaverse.

00:02:29: Yeah, for sure.

00:02:31: Imagine working on a group project with people from different continents.

00:02:34: You could collaborate on research in real time.

00:02:37: Or even just have a virtual study session.

00:02:39: There are so many possibilities to make learning more exciting.

00:02:43: So we're not talking about recreating those old boring lecture halls in a virtual space.

00:02:48: This is about designing environments that actually help us be more creative and solve

00:02:52: problems better.

00:02:53: Yeah, you got it.

00:02:54: And this is what I think is so cool about their approach.

00:02:56: They're thinking about things like nature-inspired workspaces, virtual innovation labs, even

00:03:01: adding in movement and simulation to the campus design.

00:03:04: Remember that study about how even a short walk can spark new ideas?

00:03:08: Well they found that even simulated movement, like riding a virtual train, can get those

00:03:12: creative juices flowing.

00:03:13: I'm picturing a group of students brainstorming for their next big project.

00:03:18: But they're on this virtual high-speed train zipping through these amazing landscapes.

00:03:24: It's a lot more stimulating than just staring at the same four walls.

00:03:27: Exactly.

00:03:28: And that's the kind of out-of-the-box thinking in this proposal.

00:03:30: It's all about creating experiences you just couldn't have in real life.

00:03:35: And speaking of pushing boundaries, there's this whole avatar effect thing.

00:03:38: I found that really interesting.

00:03:40: Yes.

00:03:41: That our digital representations can change how we think and act, even in the real world.

00:03:47: That's where it gets really fascinating.

00:03:48: What's the deal with that?

00:03:49: So they talked about this one study where people used hero avatars in a virtual game, like

00:03:55: Superman, you know?

00:03:56: And the people who were those heroes were twice as likely to help others in real life

00:04:00: afterward.

00:04:01: It seems our virtual selves can actually inspire us to be better people.

00:04:06: That's wild.

00:04:07: And design these avatars, like what we make them look like and act like, could actually

00:04:11: change the learning environment.

00:04:12: Could we use that to encourage people to work together or even just be nicer to each other?

00:04:17: It's definitely something to think about.

00:04:18: And the researchers agree.

00:04:20: They suggest this thing called Gestalterisch begleitet advance fall.

00:04:25: It means they want to carefully choose which avatars are available.

00:04:28: So no reinforcing bad stereotypes or anything like that.

00:04:32: They want to make the campus inclusive from the start.

00:04:35: So a neon green three headed avatar might be cool to some people, but probably not the

00:04:41: best fit for this.

00:04:42: It has to be a welcoming space for everyone.

00:04:45: That makes me think about accessibility though.

00:04:47: How can we make sure everyone can be a part of this virtual campus?

00:04:50: I mean, not everyone has the same technical skills or resources.

00:04:54: That's a big question.

00:04:55: And they do talk about it in the proposal.

00:04:57: One thing they suggest is offering the platform in a couple of ways.

00:05:00: Like you could use a regular computer or you could use those more immersive technologies,

00:05:05: you know, the extended reality stuff.

00:05:06: That way people can choose how immersed they want to be based on what they need and what

00:05:10: they have access to.

00:05:11: Options are good.

00:05:13: But even with the best technology, designing a whole virtual campus seems like a huge job.

00:05:18: Where do you even start?

00:05:19: That's where their approach is really interesting.

00:05:21: They're using three main methods for the design.

00:05:24: And the first one, they're not starting from scratch.

00:05:27: They're looking at research about real life spaces and how they affect learning.

00:05:32: Like what works well.

00:05:33: What wouldn't work in a virtual setting.

00:05:36: They're using that knowledge as a starting point.

00:05:38: So they're learning from both worlds then.

00:05:40: Real world design and what already works in virtual spaces.

00:05:44: What else are they doing?

00:05:45: They're also going to get feedback from the people who will actually be using the campus.

00:05:49: Students, teachers, even people from companies that might be involved.

00:05:53: They want to understand what people need, what they prefer and any concerns they have.

00:05:57: So think surveys, focus groups, things like that.

00:06:00: User feedback is so important.

00:06:01: I can already imagine the suggestions.

00:06:03: We need more virtual coffee shops.

00:06:05: And what about a library with holograms and endless books?

00:06:08: I'm sure those ideas will come up.

00:06:10: But their third method is really interesting.

00:06:11: It's called place situation analysis.

00:06:15: Place situation analysis.

00:06:17: Now that one has got me curious.

00:06:18: Tell me more.

00:06:19: So they analyze how certain places, real or imagined, make people feel and act.

00:06:25: And then they use those findings to design the virtual spaces.

00:06:28: Like if they want to make a space for intense focus, they might get inspiration from a really

00:06:32: quiet library or a peaceful clearing in a forest.

00:06:36: And if they want a space for debates and brainstorming, maybe they look at a busy coffee shop or a lively

00:06:42: city square.

00:06:43: It's like they're creating a mood board for each virtual space using real and fictional

00:06:48: settings to get the right atmosphere.

00:06:50: Exactly.

00:06:51: And it's not just about visuals.

00:06:52: They're thinking about how all the senses work together.

00:06:55: Like sound design is important.

00:06:57: to incorporating touch and smell in the future.

00:07:01: - That's what I call immersive.

00:07:02: But with all this talk about the future

00:07:04: and pushing boundaries, it makes you wonder

00:07:05: about the real world.

00:07:06: Are they trying to replace physical universities

00:07:08: completely with this metaverse campus?

00:07:11: - That's the big question, right?

00:07:13: But the proposal doesn't say that their goal

00:07:14: is to replace physical campuses entirely.

00:07:16: - So it's more about creating new possibilities,

00:07:19: expanding access to education,

00:07:21: not necessarily getting rid of the old ways.

00:07:24: - Right, they seem to see it as working

00:07:25: alongside existing systems,

00:07:27: at least for now.

00:07:28: They even mentioned creating what they call

00:07:29: a digital twin of their real campus building.

00:07:32: - A digital twin, what's that?

00:07:34: Is it like a virtual tour?

00:07:36: Those 3D things you see online, but better.

00:07:38: - Even better than that.

00:07:40: Think of it like a dynamic interactive replica.

00:07:42: It mirrors what's happening in the real world in real time.

00:07:47: So if they move furniture around in a lecture hall,

00:07:50: even if they repaint a hallway,

00:07:52: those changes would show up in the virtual version too.

00:07:54: - Wow, that's pretty amazing.

00:07:55: It's like this window into the real campus

00:07:58: that's constantly changing no matter where you are.

00:08:01: But wouldn't that be a nightmare to maintain?

00:08:03: - To deal with that, they propose using

00:08:05: a real-time content management system.

00:08:08: So any updates in the real world would automatically appear

00:08:11: in the digital twin.

00:08:12: Think of it like those design programs

00:08:14: where you make a change to a blueprint

00:08:16: and boom, you see it in the 3D model right away.

00:08:18: - That makes a lot more sense.

00:08:20: What about the technology behind all of this?

00:08:22: A virtual campus like that

00:08:23: must need some serious digital power.

00:08:25: What are they using?

00:08:26: - They cover that too.

00:08:28: High-performance servers, cloud computing,

00:08:30: the newest VR and AR hardware and software,

00:08:33: they're going all out.

00:08:34: - Seems very impressive, but also expensive.

00:08:37: Not everyone can afford that kind of cutting-edge tech.

00:08:40: How are they planning to deal with those barriers?

00:08:42: - It's a key concern, and they acknowledge that.

00:08:45: They talk about making sure there are options

00:08:47: for different budgets and different tech skill levels.

00:08:50: Things like loaner programs for equipment,

00:08:52: maybe a desktop version for people who don't have VR,

00:08:55: and making sure it works with lots of different devices.

00:08:58: - Making it accessible for everyone is crucial,

00:09:01: especially if they want to change education like this.

00:09:04: But even with all the best tech in the world,

00:09:06: there's still the human factor.

00:09:08: How do we know that students and educators

00:09:10: will be able to use this virtual campus well?

00:09:13: I mean, we don't want people getting lost in the metaverse.

00:09:15: - That's where training and support come in.

00:09:17: A big part of their plan

00:09:18: is developing resources to help people,

00:09:21: like tutorials, workshops, even virtual coaches.

00:09:25: Those resources would teach people

00:09:26: how to use the platform,

00:09:28: how to fix any problems they have,

00:09:30: and how to really get the most out of it.

00:09:32: - So they've got the tech, the design,

00:09:34: the user experience all figured out.

00:09:36: But what about the actual learning?

00:09:37: What kinds of events and activities

00:09:39: are they picturing on this campus?

00:09:41: - They've got a pretty amazing range of things planned.

00:09:44: The usual lectures and seminars,

00:09:46: but also interactive workshops, virtual conferences,

00:09:49: even social events and meetups.

00:09:51: - So I could be attending a lecture on astrophysics,

00:09:55: floating through a nebula in my pajamas.

00:09:57: I am so there.

00:09:58: - It seems that way.

00:09:59: They really emphasize those unique learning experiences

00:10:02: that you just couldn't have in the real world.

00:10:05: - Okay, so the idea is great and all,

00:10:07: but how do we know it'll actually work?

00:10:09: It's one thing to imagine this perfect virtual university,

00:10:12: but how are they gonna measure if it's effective?

00:10:15: - That's where their research focus is really clear.

00:10:17: They have a whole section dedicated

00:10:19: to studying how this metaverse campus affects things.

00:10:21: Everything from how much people learn

00:10:23: and how well they collaborate

00:10:24: to the well-being of students and faculty,

00:10:27: and even the environmental impact.

00:10:29: It's a whole research project in itself.

00:10:31: - So it's not just about building a cool virtual world.

00:10:34: It's about really analyzing how that world changes

00:10:37: the way we learn, the way we work together,

00:10:39: and how we connect.

00:10:39: - Exactly, and they're gonna share what they learn

00:10:42: through academic publications

00:10:43: and by developing guidelines for others.

00:10:46: It's all about understanding how to design good

00:10:49: ethical virtual learning environments.

00:10:51: - They've definitely thought this through.

00:10:53: A research-driven approach focusing on accessibility

00:10:56: and user experience, even the environmental impact,

00:11:00: but there's one last piece of the puzzle, right?

00:11:02: How are they planning to keep this going financially

00:11:05: once the initial funding is gone?

00:11:07: - They've got a plan for that.

00:11:08: They call it a multifaceted approach to sustainability.

00:11:11: It covers both the financial side

00:11:13: and the environmental impact.

00:11:14: - So how do you make money from a virtual university?

00:11:17: Virtual tuition, a metaverse bookstore.

00:11:20: - Interesting question, but they're thinking beyond

00:11:23: just copying the ways we already make money.

00:11:26: They're looking into things like renting out

00:11:28: virtual space to companies for meetings and conferences,

00:11:32: or offering special training programs for professionals,

00:11:35: maybe even creating a marketplace for virtual stuff.

00:11:38: - So it could be this hub where people create

00:11:40: and share knowledge, bringing in all kinds

00:11:42: of different users and making money

00:11:44: in lots of different ways.

00:11:45: - That's the idea, and they're reducing the need

00:11:47: for travel and all that, so they're trying

00:11:49: to minimize the impact on the environment too.

00:11:52: - It's like they're building this system

00:11:54: where attracting more users and resources

00:11:58: actually helps them lessen their impact on the planet.

00:12:00: It's pretty amazing, but for all the talk

00:12:03: about innovation and technology,

00:12:04: this proposal doesn't shy away from the challenges, does it?

00:12:07: - No, they definitely don't.

00:12:08: They actually end with a really thought-provoking question.

00:12:11: How do we make sure this metaverse campus

00:12:13: doesn't just repeat the inequalities we already have?

00:12:16: How can we make it a truly fair

00:12:18: and inclusive learning environment for everyone?

00:12:21: - It's one thing to get rid of geographical barriers,

00:12:24: but the digital divide is real.

00:12:26: Not everyone has the same access to technology

00:12:29: or reliable internet.

00:12:31: Some people might not even have the skills they need

00:12:33: to navigate a virtual environment.

00:12:35: - And it's not just about access.

00:12:37: It's about how we design these spaces.

00:12:39: How do we make them welcoming to everyone,

00:12:42: no matter their background, their abilities,

00:12:44: or how they learn best?

00:12:46: - It's not simple, but it's a conversation we need to have.

00:12:49: We can't assume that building a virtual campus

00:12:51: will magically fix all the problems

00:12:53: with our education system.

00:12:54: - Exactly, that's what's so interesting

00:12:56: about this proposal.

00:12:57: It's not some perfect vision of the future

00:12:59: where there are no problems.

00:13:00: It's a well-researched and thoughtful look

00:13:03: at the potential and the challenges

00:13:05: of building a university in the metaverse.

00:13:07: - It's like a call to action for all of us,

00:13:09: educators, tech people, policymakers, even students.

00:13:12: We all need to work together to make sure

00:13:14: these new technologies actually create

00:13:16: a more equitable, accessible,

00:13:18: and engaging learning experience for everyone.

00:13:20: - I agree.

00:13:21: This has been a fascinating deep dive.

00:13:23: We're not just talking about pixels on a screen.

00:13:25: This is about the future of education

00:13:28: and finding new ways to connect

00:13:30: and collaborate as human doings.

00:13:32: - And on that note, we'll leave you with this.

00:13:34: If you could design the perfect virtual learning environment,

00:13:37: what would it look like?

00:13:38: What possibilities would it open up?

00:13:40: Let us know in the comments.

00:13:41: And until next time, keep exploring, keep learning,

00:13:43: and keep diving deep.

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