Abstract:

The Metaverse is a virtual three-dimensional world, where users interact through avatars for daily activities and cultural exchange. Its use in education has become increasingly popular in recent years, as most undergraduate students are Generation Z, who have grown up with technology and prefer active participation in online learning environments. While previous studies have focused on the benefits of the Metaverse for student learning, only a few of them have explored the factors influencing student satisfaction with this new tool, even though satisfaction is crucial for fostering greater learning interest and motivation.

This study aimed to explore the factors influencing student satisfaction with the adoption of the Metaverse in a service-learning course. Service-learning is an educational approach in which students design and deliver community-based service activities to enhance their academic skills and civic responsibility. Sixty-five undergraduate students, aged 18 to 24, learned about the cultural backgrounds of their service recipients before their offshore service trip. Questionnaires were used to gather their experiences, as well as their knowledge of and attitudes toward the Metaverse.

Results indicated high satisfaction with the Metaverse, particularly among female students, as it enhanced their understanding of their roles in service activities and the needs of service recipients. Although all participants were Generation Z, only half of them had previously heard of the Metaverse. Also, there was a positive correlation between student satisfaction and their knowledge of and attitudes towards the Metaverse. These findings offer important insights for educators considering the integration of the Metaverse into their courses, highlighting the need to provide introductory training and foster positive attitudes before fully implementing Metaverse-based teaching. This progressive approach can maximize student satisfaction and engagement, ensuring that all students can be benefited from the innovative potentials of the Metaverse-based education.

Keywords:

The Metaverse, Student Satisfaction, Generation Z, Service Learning.