Building the Future of Learning with Digital Technology

From Ubiquity to Unity: Addressing the Disconnected Hybrid Campus

Hybrid education gave students an opportunity to learn from anywhere around the world. However, it came with a hidden cost, many students felt disconnected and isolated from their university. The sense of teamwork and shared learning was missing from their educational experience. At Queen Mary University of London, we started to explore ways to transform student collaboration and engage with each other. 

Designing Digital Fellowship: My Metaverse Capstone Journey

To increase student collaboration on the Capstone project, I led the development of a Metaverse collaboration space using FrameVR. This platform allowed us to design an interactive digital environment where students could meet, share ideas, and collaborate as a team. We created features such as zones for discussion, presentation, and networking. Our goal was to make collaboration feel natural even in a fully online environment. Through the process, I coordinated with students from the Capstone project and academic staff and managed feedback to improve user experience.

Metaverse Capstone: Feedback & Iteration Steps

Once the Metaverse space was launched, we focused on listening. We collected data through interviews, live observation during use, recordings of student meetings and transcripts. Users appreciated the features like spatial audio zones, personalised avatars, document visualisation, screen sharing, whiteboards for brainstorming, and in-built AI assistant. Some Capstone students also suggested improvements such as adding an introductory tour for guidance. Based on their input, we made useful changes to ensure the platform remained inclusive and easy to use. This process helped me to understand the importance of designing technology with the user and not just for the user. 

Showcasing Virtual Teamwork

This project was not only a learning experience but also a real example of how digital tools can overcome gaps in communication among Capstone project students. It also showed that with thoughtful design, a virtual environment can enhance collaboration, creativity, and inclusion. The project was presented at the Night of Science and Engineering for developing a collaborative space. The response from university dignitaries, board members, investors, and faculty was overwhelmingly positive. It was encouraging to see that people were excited by the idea of using digital technology in Capstone projects for MSc Management. 

Final Considerations and Reflections

The Metaverse project deepened the impact of my Capstone journey by giving me the opportunity to apply strategic thinking, user research, and digital innovation to a real-world challenge. It also solves the problems faced by students in hybrid education. While my Capstone focused on solving business problems, this project brought those concepts to life through digital technology. It also strengthened my ability to lead cross-functional collaboration and design a digital environment.