Educational innovation in Latin American universities: Exploring the potential of the metaverse in higher education teaching
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf20251744Keywords:
metaverse, immersive learning, digital equity, academic participation, higher educationAbstract
The metaverse was conceptualized as an immersive environment capable of transforming learning experiences through three-dimensional interaction, virtual collaboration, and educational simulation. The main objective of this study was to analyze how academic participation, student performance, and digital equity were influenced by the integration of the metaverse in Latin American higher education. A mixed-methods sequential design was applied; quantitative instruments were designed and validated according to the core variables, achieving strong reliability levels, and surveys were administered to 600 students. Additionally, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with students and instructors to explore perceptions in greater depth, followed by systematic open, axial, and selective coding. Quantitative results indicated that the metaverse increased participation and motivation, with mean values above 3.30; however, improvements in performance were moderate and uneven across participants. Significant digital equity gaps related to device access and connectivity also emerged, limiting the scope of immersive activities. Qualitative findings reinforced these patterns, revealing that participants perceived clear pedagogical benefits but experienced persistent technological barriers and limited training. Overall, the results showed that the metaverse had substantial potential to enhance participation and learning, although its effectiveness depended on institutional support, technological conditions, and users’ digital literacy levels.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Juan de Jesús Alvarado Ortiz, Teresa del Carmen Cabrera Gómez, Luis Germán Sánchez Méndez, Katherine Adriana Meino Villa4, Gabriela Margarita Loza Casa, Jefferson Olimpo Gutierrez Bastidas (Author)
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