Everyone is talking about the metaverse and how the next iteration of the internet will leverage immersive technologies and 3D images to shape workforce development and education. But what can technologies like virtual reality (VR) add to workforce development, and how do they support learning that may be difficult to achieve in traditional settings? In this module presented by NLL Doctoral Researcher Eileen McGivney, we draw on research conducted by the Next Level Lab with Goodwill Industries International on a VR-enabled program to support formerly incarcerated individuals prepare for job interviews. The module includes video presentations about research on learning with VR and the findings of our study of Project Overcome, as well as optional readings for those who would like to dig in further.
An overview of the affordances and limitations of the metaverse and XR for learning, drawing on the guide “An Introduction to Learning in the Metaverse”
A summary of the studies we conducted with Goodwill and Accenture on the Project OVERCOME pilot and their implications for using VR in workforce development programs
Readings for Futher Exploration:
An Introduction to Learning in the Metaverse: A guide for educators to get started with using XR for learning
Next Level Learning Environments for Next Level Work: A brief written by researchers at the Next Level Lab about educational technologies and learning environments
This work was developed through the Next Level Lab: Applying Cognitive Science for Access, Innovation, and Mastery (AIM) at the Harvard Graduate School of Education with funding from Accenture Corporate Citizenship. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funder.