Paradise or Dark Side: How Does Metaverse Experience Shape the Perspectives of Pre-service Science Teachers?

Metaverse in education has the potential to transform education by providing students with interactive, immersive and personalized learning experiences. This study examined the impact of Metaverse on the perceptions of pre-service science teachers. The study was designed in two stages. In the first stage, semi-structured preliminary interview forms were applied, and it was determined that the participants associated Metaverse with terms such as "imaginary," "virtual universe," and "expensive." Then, a comprehensive presentation was made regarding the definition, history and interdisciplinary applications of Metaverse, and the participants gained hands-on experience with 3D glasses. According to the final interview forms, it was observed that the participants evaluated Metaverse more positively in the context of "education," "communication," and "health." The study reveals that even a short-term Metaverse experience can lead to significant changes in the attitudes of pre-service teachers and develop a positive perspective towards the potential applications of this technology. © 2025, STAR Scholars Network. All rights reserved.