Gangbuk-gu, Training Lifelong Learning Instructors Using Metaverse

‘Lifelong Learning Instructor Training Course’ Classes and Completion Ceremony Conducted on Metaverse... Second Half ‘Lifelong Education Facilitator (Communicator) Training Course’ Scheduled

Graduation Ceremony Utilizing the Metaverse

Completion Reflection Essay

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Gyeom-su) utilized the ‘Metaverse (3D virtual space)’ platform to conduct lectures and a completion ceremony for the ‘Lifelong Learning Instructor Training Course.’

The ‘Metaverse’ is a word combining ‘Meta,’ meaning ‘transcendence,’ and ‘Universe,’ meaning ‘world.’ It is a phenomenon that emerged alongside the desire to expand reality into a virtual world as social distancing prolonged non-face-to-face lifestyles.

The district operated the ‘Lifelong Learning Instructor Training Course’ over 10 sessions from May 26 to August 4. The in-person classes, which had a maximum of 9 students, were converted to non-face-to-face lectures in response to the prolonged COVID-19 situation.

The district used virtual characters (avatars) to provide a sense of presence similar to in-person classes. Professor Kwon Jin-ha from Soongsil University, who served as the instructor, suggested graduation gowns for the students’ avatars and incorporated the metaverse environment into the class.

This lecture was highly satisfactory because students could create their own characters, interact and present with each other, and share materials. Learners commented on their completion experience linked to the metaverse, saying, “The learning method suited to the diversely changing environment increased participation and interaction in the class,” and “It was enjoyable to meet fellow students during a time when in-person meetings were limited.”

In the second half of the year, an advanced course for lifelong learning instructors will also be conducted. The district plans to open a ‘Lifelong Education Facilitator (Communicator) Training Course’ as a resident-proposed program. This program will be held from September 29 at the Everyone’s School Gangbuk Learning Center (145 Ohyeon-ro, 4th floor of Gangbuk Cultural Information Library).

Those wishing to participate can apply from the 24th on the Gangbuk-gu Neulbaeumteo website. More detailed information can be found in the September issue of the district newsletter or on the Gangbuk-gu Office Neulbaeumteo website.

Mayor Park Gyeom-su of Gangbuk-gu said, “The metaverse can be called a paradigm shift leading new changes in non-face-to-face education methods and systems,” adding, “We will strive to discover new communication methods and non-face-to-face services through the virtual reality of the metaverse to operate various programs.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.