Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication Lecturer Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aylin Tutgun Ünal wrote an article for Lacivert Magazine on the topic of Metaverse.
From now on, the transmission of values from the past to the present will occur through our avatars. Previously, traditions, cultural values, and habits spread by word of mouth within close circles. With the involvement of social media, which hosts global networks, these are now being adopted through a mosaic-like blend of close circles and online networks. As a result, individuals in the same household develop different value systems and habits. The concept of meeting at a common ground, which is becoming increasingly difficult, now includes the Metaverse; avatars will be a conduit for cultural values and traditions, representing society and its constituent individuals in the online universe. Thus, with the Metaverse, we are truly evolving into representation!
Although it seems like we are making a rapid transition from the social media generation to the Metaverse generation, in reality, we must be prepared for a Metaverse Winter that awaits us. As with every new technology, the Metaverse will also reach its Spring after enduring one or more Winters... We will certainly continue to work, but with correct and confident steps... We will gain proper awareness of the Metaverse concept, and we will focus on how we can benefit from it in many areas...
Is the Metaverse Universe Real? Or Virtual?
The Metaverse harbors a technological ecosystem within itself. This ecosystem includes technologies such as AR/VR/MR and holograms. With these technologies, it is envisioned that individuals in the physical universe will come together with their avatars in the Metaverse universe, referred to as the hyperreal universe, to visit each other, collaborate, share information, access educational content, shop, and even access healthcare services. If Metaverse technology develops sufficiently, people will have the opportunity to perform many actions such as shopping, going to the cinema, or spending time in a cafe without physical effort, thanks to virtual reality devices and wearable technologies.
It is possible to access the physical elements we perceive in our surroundings within the online universe through Virtual Reality (VR) without an element of interaction. Therefore, VR is certainly not a new idea. In fact, its first applications are known to date back 40-50 years. VR is a way that allows elements such as sounds, sensations, and images that will provide a sense of reality by copying the real environment or creating an imaginary world. Everything felt here is a three-dimensional world created by a computer, providing a sense of reality through virtual reality.
The Metaverse, on the other hand, will bring together multiple virtual worlds, have lasting effects, be an online, 3D world concept, and will also include interaction. Individuals will realistically feel the objects they touch while navigating the virtual 3D universe wearing their haptic clothing (such as gloves, suits). In this respect, the Metaverse and Virtual Reality differ. We will be navigating a universe where senses like touch and feeling can be activated. We can wander through a museum with VR glasses, but we cannot feel an object when we touch it. With the Metaverse, the sense of touch will be activated; our knees will even hurt if we fall, and we will feel warmth when approaching fire. But will this be possible?
A Metaverse Winter Will Be Experienced!
According to Andrew Bosworth, head of Facebook Reality Labs, most of the products in question can only be fully realized within 10-15 years. According to the statement, it does not seem possible for us to fully enter the Metaverse universe right now; considering the stages of widespread adoption of wearable technologies, the suitability of technological infrastructure, spatial design, and most importantly, the preparation and integration of simulative content appropriate for the three-dimensional universe, we can say that 10-15 years is quite an optimistic perspective.
The ongoing Metaverse discussions, still in their early stages, bring to mind the process seen at the dawn of Artificial Intelligence Technologies. The birth of Artificial Intelligence dates back to the years 1943-1956. From 1956, its entry into the scientific field, it created a great impact in the business world, listing tasks that could be performed superhumanly with artificial intelligence, and as is the case now with the Metaverse, planned grand inventions were discussed in scientific meetings. In a critical report published exactly 18 years later, it was reported that artificial intelligence could not meet expectations, and the first AI winter occurred (1974-1980). In 1987, an artificial intelligence named IBM Deep Blue was reported to have defeated the World Chess Champion. Subsequently, it was understood that studies conducted between 1987-1993 did not go beyond mere repetition. Thus, the 2nd AI winter was experienced.
AI winter 1-2 went down in history as an example showing that a nascent technology goes through at least 2 rounds of winter. Of course, the contributions of artificial intelligence technologies, especially in the field of medicine, are undeniable today. However, one must be prepared for a similar process to be experienced in the development of Metaverse technologies. It is not difficult to foresee a Metaverse Winter occurring during a period when expectations are at their peak. Therefore, one should first start by correctly defining expectations and creating proper awareness about what the Metaverse is.
New Expertise Areas Will Be Needed with the Metaverse…
Although different application methods of many fields in the Metaverse environment are discussed, one of the most important areas where it will create transformation will be education. It is stated that new areas of expertise and experts will be needed, as many components and factors will need to change to provide education and training in the Metaverse environment. Some of these areas can be listed as follows: Metaverse Instructional Design, Metaverse Content Design, Metaverse Design, Avatar Design, Metaverse Artificial Intelligence Applications.
Metaverse Instructional Design Models Will Be Needed
If the Metaverse is included in the education system, there will be a need for next-generation instructional system designs and gamified teaching models. The Metaverse inherently includes digital game components. Many elements such as Space, Avatar, Scenario, and Interaction evoke gamified, simulative systems. Thus, for the education and training system, it will be necessary to incorporate many components such as 3D space, avatars, experiential learning of content through trial-and-error, user-centricity, and interaction. Therefore, it is important to understand that the two-dimensional instructional design models used to facilitate instruction in digital environments will transform, and there will be a need to design Metaverse Instructional Design Models that align with a new educational philosophy. For without an instructional design model, designing systematic instruction would pose a risk.
We Will Call Them the Metaverse Generation or Gamers…
Individuals of the Metaverse generation will enter the metaverse universe with their avatars and participate in the education-training process by interacting with and experiencing it in a gamified environment. This generation, also to be called the Gamer generation, will be the first to realistically experience the sense of touch with wearable haptic clothing (such as gloves, suits) in the future. Although there are current efforts to understand and initiatives such as space and avatar design, and the setup of ready-made Metaverse environments, as stated by the head of Facebook Reality Labs., the full implementation of the system will take place at least 10-15 years later. Thus, those born 15 years from now will be born into the Metaverse universe, and those who use this technology will be called the Metaverse Generation or Gamers.
We can refer to those born in and after the year 2000, currently called the Social Media generation, as the first generation to build the Metaverse universe. With Facebook changing its name to “Meta”, Metaverse (Beyond Universe) technologies, which have captivated the entire world, have garnered the most interest from the younger generation. Therefore, the Metaverse will be a world designed by young people; the Social Media generation will design it, and the Metaverse generation will be its first users…
Metaverse Awareness
When the Metaverse is mentioned, conceptual misconceptions such as “it means buying land with NFTs” arose, and discussions began about it not being properly understood. News reports in the media related to the Metaverse featured plots of land, and even bridges, bought with NFTs. Therefore, the need to correctly explain the conceptual framework is being addressed in scientific meetings these days, and educators have important duties regarding Metaverse Awareness in this regard.
In conclusion, every new advanced technology, when used correctly and beneficially, simplifies, contributes to, and improves human life. However, when its purpose of use is deviated, it can lead to negative consequences. Misuse requiring a treatment process can unfortunately also emerge with new technologies. Just as in examples like technology addiction and cyberbullying, negative psychological effects are possible. Therefore, we can list similar points for Metaverse use, akin to social media literacy skills. Our primary goal should be to make daily life activities sustainable through moderate use.