Terrence E. Deal, renowned leadership expert, author, and international consultant, said, “Celebrations infuse life with passion and purpose. They summon the human spirit.” Schools often leverage the power of celebrations, timing them with socially and culturally relevant events to engage students in participating and fostering a community within an institution’s hallowed halls.

Furthermore, as the world continues to shift to an online presence, many schools have adapted to online celebrations to promote accessibility and accommodate more participants, making the event more inclusive. Although online meeting rooms are a viable platform for holding festivities, virtual worlds have also gained users’ traction. However, the dynamics of celebrating school events within virtual worlds remain significantly unexplored.

Exploring the Potential of Celebrating in the Metaverse

A study titled "Valentine’s Day in the Metaverse: Examining School Event Celebrations in Virtual Worlds Using an Appreciative Inquiry Approach" conducted by Dr. Manuel B. Garcia, the Founding Director of FEU Institute of Technology’s Educational Innovation and Technology Hub (EdITH), Rossana T. Adao, FEU Institute of Technology Executive Director, Clievenze Karl Quejado, EdITH Game Developer, Clark Raven B. Maranan, EdITH 3D Artist, and Owen N. Ualat, EdITH Multimedia designer, examined school event celebrations in the metaverse through an appreciative inquiry approach.

This critical study, recognized as the Best Paper at the 8th International Conference on Education and Multimedia Technology, provides valuable insights into the evolving educational landscape and the potential of virtual spaces for creating inclusive, engaging, and effective learning environments in the digital age.

Bringing Love Online

EdITH developed MILES Virtual World, an online multiplayer game exclusive to FEU Tech, Diliman, and Alabang. It aims to redefine the landscape of digital education through an immersive nature for online learning while creating an environment where students can explore, experiment, and engage with educational content more meaningfully.

During Valentine’s Day 2024, EdITH’s Virtual World Unit introduced the special edition of MILES Virtual World tailored to the occasion. The unit implemented various enhancements and redesigns to enrich the virtual experience using symbolic Valentine’s Day decorations, custom avatars, and new features like the photo and marriage booths. The interactive experience enabled students to engage in virtual activities related to the event while highlighting MILES Virtual World’s innovative potential of educational metaverses to host immersive and interactive school events.

Understanding the User Experience

To better understand the impact of the virtual event, the researchers presented their subjects with interview questions following the 4-D Cycle of Appreciative Inquiry. This cycle involves four stages: Discover (What gives life?), Dream (What might be?), Design (What should be?), and Destiny (How to empower, learn, and adjust?). These stages guide the inquiry process, helping uncover the virtual event’s positive aspects and how concerned individuals can improve it.

After completing the interviews, the researchers discovered that celebration-themed features significantly improved the engagement and vibrancy of the event. It underscores the relevance of integrating real-life social rituals into educational metaverses to enrich students’ social experiences and foster community engagement. One crucial factor that creates satisfying and engaging user experiences is the ability to mirror real-world traditions in virtual settings. The study also emphasized the importance of diversifying the range of activities to cater to all students’ preferences and ensure inclusivity.

Moreover, school celebrations need active promotion, whether online or physical. It can involve creating buzz through social media, sending out reminders, or even organizing pre-event activities to build anticipation. The study learned that students feel discouraged from participating in virtual events if they’re alone, hence the need for a collaborative environment that allows students to connect.

Overall, the study’s results illuminated the multifaceted value of virtual school event celebrations to promote engagement, inclusivity, and community among students. The paper also highlighted the potential of such events as platforms for innovative experiences. By providing a concerted effort to incorporate educational content and acknowledge student input in the design process, these events can offer unique and enriching experiences that go beyond traditional school celebrations.

By leveraging the unique capabilities of these digital platforms, metaverse adopters can provide engaging, inclusive, and educationally valuable experiences that resonate with the needs and preferences of the digital-native generation.