Use of Virtual Academic Environments During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on academic settings, disrupting normal routines and limiting social interactions among students. In response to this challenge, educational systems have implemented temporary measures to improve the quality of education and communication in online learning environments. While online learning communities have gained popularity, they often lack the immersive aspects provided by virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), resulting in decreased motivation and engagement compared to traditional classroom settings facilitated by web applications. This chapter aimed to explore how virtual academic environments, incorporating augmented reality elements, could improve educational outcomes by fostering social learning gains. By leveraging augmented reality features, virtual academic environments, including the Metaverse, have the potential to enhance academic productivity during situations like the coronavirus pandemic or future outbreaks by facilitating improved social interaction.