Innovation Series: Advanced Science (ISSN 2938-9933)

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

 

References

[1]
Onu P, Pradhan A, Mbohwa C, 2024, Potential to use metaverse for future teaching and learning. Education and Information Technologies, 29: 8893–8924. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12167-9
[2]
Hwang GJ, Chien SY, 2022, Definition, roles, and potential research issues of the metaverse in education: an artificial intelligence perspective. Computers & Education: Artificial Intelligence, 3: 100082. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2022.100082
[3]
Park SM, Kim YG, 2022, A metaverse: taxonomy, components, applications, and open challenges. IEEE Access, 10: 4209–4251. http://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3140175
[4]
Dwivedi YK, Hughes L, Baabdullah AM, et al., 2022, Metaverse beyond the hype: multidisciplinary perspectives on emerging challenges, opportunities, and agenda for research, practice and policy. International Journal of Information Management, 66: 102542. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.102542
[5]
Wang L, Chen HZ, Cai W, 2023, Education in the metaverse: current situation and future innovations. Journal of East China Normal University (Educational Sciences), 41(11): 38–51. http://doi.org/10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2023.11.004
[6]
Grosser PF, Xia Z, Alt J, Rüppel U, Schmalz B, 2023, Virtual field trips in hydrological field laboratories: the potential of virtual reality for conveying hydrological engineering content. Education and Information Technologies, 28: 6977–7003. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11434-5
[7]
Jovanović A, Milosavljević A, 2022, VoRtex metaverse platform for gamified collaborative learning. Electronics, 11(3): 317. http://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11030317
[8]
Tlili A, Huang R, Shehata B, et al., 2022, Is metaverse in education a blessing or a curse: a combined content and bibliometric analysis. Smart Learning Environments, 9: 1–31. http://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-022-00205-x
[9]
Pradana M, Elisa HP, 2023, Metaverse in education: a systematic literature review. Cogent Social Sciences, 9(2): 2252656. http://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2252656
Download PDF
Innovation Series

Innovation Series is an academic publisher publishing journals and books covering a wide range of academic disciplines.

About

About Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Contact

Francesc Boix i Campo, 7
08038 Barcelona, Spain