Web 3.0 and the Metaverse: Transformative Impacts on Education

This study aims to explore Web 3.0 technology, a transformative internet evolution that has just begun impacting our lives and is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future, alongside the Metaverse and its potential applications in education. Through insights gathered from five field experts via semi-structured interviews, this study also aims to clarify how these advancements might influence educational practices. To this end, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five experts in relevant fields. In this phenomenological study, data obtained from participants were analyzed using descriptive analysis techniques. The analysis identified the main themes of “Transformation to Web 3.0,” “The Metaverse World,” “Education in the Metaverse Environment,” and “Requirements for Education through the Metaverse,” each with several important sub-themes. The findings suggest that the transition from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 brought about significant changes, and even greater transformations are expected in the transition from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0. Web 3.0, also known as the Semantic Web, is expected to create a digital environment where web technologies become more secure, decentralized, and integrated within immersive virtual worlds. Findings also indicate that while current virtual learning environments offer experiences similar to those in the Metaverse, the widespread adoption of Web 3.0 is expected to bring a vastly different and more immersive experience. Additionally, the implementation of Web 3.0 and Metaverse will likely require robust technical knowledge, infrastructure, user training, and high-speed internet connectivity.