Metaverse Integration in COIL to Improve Intercultural Competence in Higher Education: A Case Study Academic Article in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • This article examines the potential integration of Metaverse as an immersive tool to enhance Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) strategies and foster intercultural competence in higher education students. A COIL experience was conducted between two groups of university students, 30 from Mexico and 30 from Chile. The activities were divided into three sessions, using four main virtual tools: Metaverse, Zoom, Google Earth, and Google Workspace applications. Quantitative data was collected through a validated survey to assess the impact of using Metaverse in the sessions, and qualitative information was gathered through a validated rubric to evaluate intercultural competence. The primary objective was to utilize the functionalities of Metaverse to establish an engaging and dynamic educational setting that fosters collaboration and facilitates the exchange of ideas among students. To achieve this, each group formed teams of five students who interacted, worked together on case analyses, conducted research, and constructed knowledge. The results of the study highlighted the well-received nature of the activities in the Metaverse, students found them enjoyable and were motivated to get to know their colleagues from other countries and collaborate with them. Additionally, they showed a noticeable improvement in their intercultural competence and cultural awareness. In conclusion, this article presents an innovative and effective proposal for reinforcing intercultural competence among university students through the use of immersive technologies in COIL experiences. © 2024 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).

publication date

  • June 22, 2024