The impact of design factors of virtual and augmented reality on tertiary students user experience in Metaverse

Research from arXiv highlights that the Metaverse market is projected to grow substantially from $65.5 billion in 2022 to $1.3 trillion by 2030, with increasing adoption in education. Despite this growth, specific design factors such as visual elements, environmental design, and communication features in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) environments have not been thoroughly examined regarding their impact on user experience (UX) in educational Metaverse platforms. A correlational study, based on 321 tertiary students, aimed to explore these relationships to inform evidence-based design and resource allocation.

Why it matters

Understanding the design factors that enhance user experience in immersive technologies like the Metaverse is critical for effective resource allocation and strategic development in rapidly expanding digital sectors. This knowledge directly supports the creation of more engaging and impactful virtual environments, which is essential for maximizing return on investment in a market projected for exponential growth.

Key insights

• The Metaverse market is forecast for significant expansion, from $65.5 billion in 2022 to $1.3 trillion by 2030, indicating substantial economic and technological growth.
• Adoption of Metaverse technologies is increasing within the education sector.
• There is a recognized gap in understanding how specific VR/AR design factors (visual elements, environmental design, communication features) influence user experience in Metaverse platforms.
• A correlational research design was employed, surveying 321 tertiary students from engineering and computer science departments across four higher education institutions, all familiar with the technology.

Source

arXiv — Computers and Society — https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.09940