Desarrollo de un entorno virtual 3d: infraestructura de la facultad de ciencias sociales - campus Machala de la UTMACH

Abstract

Technology is rapidly transforming various fields, including education, which is facing the challenges of the digital age. In this context, the metaverse represents a revolutionary opportunity, opening new possibilities for teaching and social interaction. Several countries, such as China and Spain, have already successfully implemented it using tools like Unity and Blender for its development. Latin America could follow this example and promote the implementation of these virtual environments in higher education. This project aimed to design and model a metaverse prototype for the Machala campus of the Universidad Técnica de Machala (UTMACH) to improve the exploration and familiarization experience for first-year students with the campus facilities, as many are not yet familiar with the environment. A literature review was conducted to identify the impact of emerging technologies like the metaverse on education. Then, a descriptive and quasi-experimental approach was adopted, evaluated through a survey based on Jakob Nielsen's usability test, analyzing usability, interactivity, and familiarity within the metaverse. The development of the prototype followed the agile SCRUM methodology, which allowed for gradual improvements through Sprints. The results from the survey showed a positive perception among students, with averages above 4 on the Likert scale in all three evaluated dimensions. They highlighted the usefulness of the metaverse as a tool for interactively exploring the university spaces. In conclusion, this project not only facilitates virtual exploration of the Machala campus but also lays the foundation for future metaverse applications in higher education, offering innovative technological solutions and generating a positive social impact while enhancing the prestige of the Universidad Técnica de Machala.