Metaverse Magic: Digital Discovery Dive

High School Grade

Project
4 weeks

Metaverse Magic: Digital Discovery Dive

Elyssa DeWitt

Purpose

Students will dive into the metaverse to explore digital literacy and ethical considerations in virtual spaces. Over five days, they will collaboratively create and modify digital content, learning to navigate the metaverse responsibly and safely. The project aims to enhance students' understanding of global interactions and socio-emotional development through real-world applications of technology, fostering a deeper awareness of their digital footprint and its impact on others.

Learning goals

Over five days, students will develop digital literacy skills by safely navigating and interacting within the metaverse, enhancing their understanding of global digital communication. They will explore ethical considerations and socio-emotional aspects of virtual interactions, fostering responsible digital citizenship. By inserting and modifying elements in the metaverse, students will demonstrate technical proficiency and critical thinking. Through structured discussions, they will engage with essential questions, fostering deeper understanding. Reflection will connect these experiences to broader ethical and social implications, reinforcing their digital awareness and responsibility.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1: Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
ISTE Standards for Students - 2b: Students engage in positive, safe, legal, and ethical behavior when using technology, including social interactions online or when using networked devices.

Products

Students will create a virtual environment within the metaverse that demonstrates their understanding of digital literacy and ethical considerations. Throughout the project, they will develop interactive scenarios that promote responsible digital behavior and global interaction. By the end of the project, each student will present a digital space that incorporates elements of safety, ethical engagement, and socio-emotional awareness, showcasing their ability to navigate and contribute positively to the metaverse.

Launch

Start the project with a five-day immersive exploration session where students use virtual reality headsets to experience various metaverse environments. On Day 1, encourage them to observe and note their initial impressions, focusing on how digital interactions differ from real-world ones. On Day 2, facilitate a 20-minute group discussion to share observations and brainstorm potential ethical challenges and opportunities for digital literacy within these virtual spaces. Use Days 3 to 5 for students to individually explore specific aspects of the metaverse, aligning with the project's essential questions and core content.

Exhibition

Students will host a virtual showcase within the metaverse over five days, where they will present their digital creations and discuss their learning journey. Each day, they will engage in discussions about the ethical implications and digital literacy aspects they explored, dedicating 20 minutes to address essential questions. Peers will provide feedback and ask questions, fostering a deeper understanding of the metaverse's potential and responsibilities. This interactive exhibition will serve as a culmination of their four-week exploration, allowing them to demonstrate their newfound skills and insights.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Introduction and Metaverse Exploration - Students will use virtual reality headsets to explore various metaverse environments, noting their initial impressions and how digital interactions differ from real-world ones (45 min)	Group Discussion on Observations - Students will share their initial impressions and brainstorm potential ethical challenges and opportunities for digital literacy within the metaverse (20 min) Essential Questions Exploration - Facilitate a discussion on the essential questions to guide students in considering the ethical implications of metaverse interactions (25 min)	Safety and Controls Workshop - Students will learn how to safely navigate and use different controls within the metaverse, focusing on digital literacy and global interactions (30 min) Reflection on Digital Safety - Students will reflect on how digital safety relates to socio-emotional development and ethical considerations (15 min)	Inserting Elements in the Metaverse - Students will practice inserting and modifying digital elements in the metaverse, demonstrating technical proficiency and digital citizenship (30 min) Peer Feedback Session - Students will provide constructive feedback on each other’s digital elements, fostering a culture of critique and revision (15 min)	Creating Ethical Scenarios - Students will develop interactive scenarios that promote responsible digital behavior and global interaction within the metaverse (30 min) Reflection and Connection - Students will connect their experiences to broader ethical and social implications, reinforcing digital awareness and responsibility (15 min)
Deliverables	1. A reflection journal entry detailing students' initial observations and thoughts on digital interactions in the metaverse. 2. A list of identified ethical challenges and opportunities for digital literacy based on group discussions. 3. Notes on navigation techniques and interactions within the metaverse from individual explorations. 4. A simple digital element inserted into the metaverse, demonstrating initial technical proficiency. 5. A written reflection on socio-emotional aspects and ethical considerations learned during the week.
Preparation	1. Ensure access to virtual reality headsets and metaverse platforms for student use. 2. Prepare a guideline for note-taking to help students focus their observations during their initial exploration. 3. Organize discussion prompts and questions to facilitate group brainstorming on ethical implications. 4. Provide resources and tutorials on basic controls and navigation techniques within the metaverse. 5. Create a framework for reflection, including questions to guide students in considering socio-emotional and ethical aspects.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Exploring Digital Identity in the Metaverse - Students will examine how digital identity is formed and represented in the metaverse, discussing its impact on digital literacy and responsibility (25 min) Collaborative Avatar Design - Students will work in pairs to create avatars that reflect ethical engagement and socio-emotional awareness, aligning with their understanding of digital identity (20 min)	Interactive Scenario Development - Students will begin constructing interactive scenarios within the metaverse, focusing on promoting ethical behavior and responsible digital citizenship (30 min) Peer Review and Feedback - Students will review each other's scenarios, providing constructive feedback to refine and enhance ethical considerations (15 min)	Global Interaction Workshop - Students will explore how to engage with global communities within the metaverse, emphasizing safe and responsible communication practices (25 min) Real-World Application Discussion - Facilitate a discussion on how skills developed in the metaverse can translate to real-world digital interactions, reinforcing the essential question of digital literacy (20 min)	Scenario Refinement - Students will refine their interactive scenarios based on peer feedback, ensuring alignment with ethical guidelines and digital literacy standards (30 min) Reflection on Ethical Scenarios - Students will reflect on the ethical implications of their scenarios, connecting to broader socio-emotional development (15 min)	Scenario Presentation and Critique - Students will present their refined scenarios in small groups, receiving final critique and feedback to ensure clarity and ethical alignment (30 min) Final Reflection and Connection - Students will write a reflective piece connecting their learning to real-world ethical and digital literacy issues, reinforcing their understanding of the essential questions (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Concept map of virtual environment design 2. Initial version of virtual environment with ethical elements 3. Peer review feedback documentation 4. Revised version of virtual environment
Preparation	1. Ensure students have access to metaverse creation tools and platforms 2. Prepare a rubric for peer review sessions focusing on ethical engagement and digital literacy 3. Gather resources on digital literacy and ethical considerations in virtual spaces 4. Set up a virtual space for group discussions and feedback sessions 5. Provide examples of ethical and socio-emotional elements in virtual environments

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Ethical Dilemmas in the Metaverse - Students will explore various ethical dilemmas they might encounter in the metaverse and discuss potential solutions, focusing on digital responsibility (45 min)	Scenario Development Workshop - Students will create interactive scenarios that illustrate ethical dilemmas and responsible actions within the metaverse (25 min) Peer Review and Feedback - Students will exchange scenarios with peers, offering constructive feedback to refine their ethical scenarios (20 min)	Digital Literacy Enhancement - Students will identify and integrate digital literacy components into their scenarios, emphasizing safe and effective online interactions (30 min) Reflection on Digital Literacy - Students will reflect on how their scenarios can improve digital literacy and socio-emotional awareness among peers (15 min)	Scenario Finalization - Students will finalize their interactive scenarios, ensuring they incorporate feedback and align with ethical and digital literacy goals (25 min) Group Presentation Prep - Students will prepare to present their scenarios to the class, focusing on clear communication of ethical considerations and digital literacy components (20 min)	Scenario Presentations - Students will present their interactive scenarios to the class, highlighting ethical implications and digital literacy elements (30 min) Class Reflection and Discussion - Students will engage in a class discussion to reflect on the diverse scenarios presented, connecting them to broader ethical and social implications (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Initial virtual environment design showcasing digital literacy and ethical considerations (Day 1) 2. Enhanced virtual environment with features for global interaction (Day 2) 3. Peer review feedback and revised virtual environment (Day 3 and Day 4) 4. Finalized virtual environment and written reflection addressing essential questions (Day 5)
Preparation	1. Ensure all students have access to virtual reality headsets and metaverse platforms. 2. Provide tutorials or guides on using metaverse design tools and collaboration features. 3. Set up a peer review protocol to guide constructive feedback sessions. 4. Prepare discussion prompts to facilitate reflective discussions on ethical implications. 5. Allocate time and resources for students to revise their projects based on feedback.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Metaverse Showcase Preparation - Students will refine their digital creations and scenarios, ensuring they align with ethical and digital literacy standards, in preparation for the showcase (25 min) Peer Review and Final Adjustments - Students will exchange feedback on each other's work, making final adjustments to enhance clarity and impact (20 min)	Showcase Setup - Students will collaboratively set up their virtual environments within the metaverse for the showcase, focusing on presentation and interaction elements (25 min) Practice Presentations - Students will practice presenting their digital spaces, receiving peer feedback to improve delivery and content (20 min)	Metaverse Showcase Day 1 - Students will begin presenting their digital creations to peers, highlighting ethical considerations and digital literacy components (30 min) Feedback and Reflection - Students will engage in a feedback session and reflect on their learning journey, focusing on socio-emotional development and digital responsibility (15 min)	Metaverse Showcase Day 2 - Students will continue presentations, emphasizing global interaction and responsible digital citizenship (30 min) Class Discussion - Facilitate a discussion on the diverse approaches and insights gained from the showcase, connecting to broader ethical implications (15 min)	Final Reflection and Connection - Students will write a comprehensive reflection on their project experience, connecting it to real-world ethical and digital literacy implications (30 min) Project Celebration and Closing - Students will celebrate their achievements and discuss next steps for applying their learning beyond the classroom (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Final virtual environment design incorporating elements of digital literacy, safety, and ethics. 2. Presentation explaining the design choices related to the essential questions of the project. 3. Participation in the virtual showcase, demonstrating understanding and insights.
Preparation	1. Ensure access to virtual reality headsets and software for the metaverse. 2. Prepare a rubric for peer review to guide constructive feedback. 3. Setup a digital platform for the virtual showcase where students can present their projects. 4. Provide guidelines for the presentation structure, including key points to cover. 5. Organize a reflection session post-showcase to discuss experiences and learnings.