Researchers from King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok have designed a Virtual Learning Community (VLC) via metaverse to enhance digital competency among teachers. The VLC, which integrates virtual reality technology, aims to improve teachers’ use of information technology media. The study involved seven experts in instructional systems design and found the VLC to be highly suitable for promoting digital competency. This aligns with Thailand’s 4.0 policy, which seeks to transform the country into an innovation-driven economy, with a focus on digital technology and quality education.
Designing Virtual Learning Community Architecture to Enhance Digital Teacher Competency
The study, conducted by Sriwichai Netniyom and Pinanta Chatwattana from King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand, focuses on the design of the architecture of the Virtual Learning Community (VLC) via metaverse to promote digital teachers’ competency. The research aims to equip teachers with comprehensive digital competency to manage instruction more efficiently.
The Conceptual Framework of VLC via Metaverse
The VLC via metaverse is an application of the concepts of virtual learning community integrated with virtual reality technology. It aims to promote the competency of teachers in the digital age, encouraging them to have a step-by-step thinking process and enabling them to use information technology media more practically, with more understanding and creativity. The study’s objectives include synthesizing the conceptual framework of the VLC via metaverse, designing its architecture, and studying the results of the design.
The Research Methodology and Tools
The research involved seven experts from different institutions, all specialized in the design and development of instruction systems. The research tools included the architecture of the VLC via metaverse and the assessment form on the suitability of the architecture of the VLC via metaverse.
The Results of the Research
The results of the research show that the overall suitability of the design of the architecture of the VLC via metaverse is at the highest level. This indicates that the VLC via metaverse can effectively promote digital teachers’ competency.
The Policy of Thailand 4.0
The policy of Thailand 4.0 aims to transform Thailand’s traditional agricultural economy into an innovation-driven economy. The government has emphasized this policy and set it as the main policy for national reform, aiming to enhance Thailand’s economy, society, and culture. The development of human potential and capacity building in terms of digital technology, including the improvement of the quality of education by means of information technology and learning media, has been provided in the National Strategic Plan.
The 21st Century Learning Management
The 21st century learning management is education management intended to equip human beings with life skills. Teachers must be able to prepare the learning management with the aid of a variety of media technologies, which will allow learners to access information in a quick and efficient manner.
The Principles of VLC and Metaverse
The principles of VLC refer to the contexts of social media or the collaborative processes of community learning and collaboration, conducted by means of web-based collaboration platforms. The term metaverse means a great universe, a virtual world created by humans. In the metaverse, users can do various activities through their avatars with the aid of technologies and devices that enable them to access such a virtual world.
The Importance of Digital Competency
Digital competency is indispensable for teachers and educational personnel. It refers to the use of information technology with discretion in working, communication, or daily life. Digital competence is related to basic skills in information and communication technology (ICT).
Design of the Architecture of the Virtual Learning Community: VLC via Metaverse to Promote Digital Teacher’s Competency is an article authored by Sriwichai Netniyom and Pinanta Chatwattana, published on January 21, 2024. The article, which appears in the Journal of Education and Learning, explores the design of the architecture of the Virtual Learning Community (VLC) via Metaverse to enhance the digital competency of teachers. The full article can be accessed through its DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v13n2p46.