Volume 2 · Issue 4 (2025)
Research on a Metaverse-Based Virtual Simulation Training Platform for Hydrology Education
Xin Zhong1, Xiaobo Sun2, Zhenmei Yan3, Qiaoxia Wang1
1 Sichuan water conservancy vocational college, Chengdu 610000, Sichuan Province, China
2 Neijiang Hydrology and Water Resources Survey Center of Sichuan Province, Neijiang City 641000, Sichuan Province, China
3 Hydrology and Water Resources Management Station of Jiangjin District, Chongqing 402260, Chongqing Municipality, China
Abstract: The rapid advancement of Metaverse technologies has opened up new opportunities for innovation in higher education. Hydrology, a discipline that relies heavily on field practice and experimental training, faces persistent challenges such as limited access to field resources, high operational costs, safety risks, and difficulties in effectively teaching abstract hydrological concepts. To address these issues, this paper proposes the design of a Metaverse-based virtual simulation training platform tailored to hydrology education. The platform integrates multiple emerging technologies—including virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), digital twins, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and cloud computing—into a multi-layered architecture comprising perception, network, content, and application layers. Key modules such as virtual field practice, virtual laboratories, collaborative training, and AI-driven tutoring provide students with immersive, interactive, and repeatable learning experiences. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of practical teaching but also supports personalized learning, collaboration, and innovation. The study further explores the platform’s application prospects and the challenges it faces, including technical, content-related, pedagogical, and ethical considerations. Overall, the proposed platform aims to enrich hydrology education by bridging the gap between theory and practice, while providing a sustainable pathway for cultivating innovative talents in water resources engineering.
Keywords: Metaverse; Virtual Simulation; Hydrology Education; Immersive Learning
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