The Metaverse in Education: Α Literature Review

The evolution of the web from a static form, like that of the first version Web 1.0, to an interactive system like Web 2.0, and its further transformation into a fully decentralized social web Web 3.0, mark a significant advance in technological development.This development has brought about the emergence of the Metaverse, a set of online, 3D virtual worlds where we participate, communicate, collaborate with our digital selves, known as "Avatar", in digital multi users environments.The Metaverse has gained significant attention since 2021, when Facebook rebranded as Meta, highlighting its role in the Metaverse world.In this context, this paper focuses on the analysis of the integration of the metaverse in the educational space.The research explores the potential and benefits of the metaverse, as well as the related issues and risks that may arise.To support the research process, a literature review was used in international research databases as well as authoritative websites of academic and business organizations.Findings indicate that Metaverse enhances the educational process by creating realistic and interactive learning environments and promoting social interaction and experiential learning.However, potential risks such as digital inequality, misuse of educational data, cyberbullying, overuse of the metaverse by students, isolation from the physical environment, and obsession with virtual worlds and our digital persona need to be seriously considered.