Title: Exploring avatar design's effect on student engagement in metaverse educational interactions

Authors: Hasan Tinmaz; Preet Kawal Singh Dhillon

Addresses: AI and Big Data Department, Woosong University, Daejeon, South Korea ' Woosong University, Daejeon, South Korea

Abstract: Within educational contexts, the integration of metaverse presents unique opportunities for enhancing student engagement, with avatar design emerging as a pivotal factor in shaping the learning experience. This article concentrates on the outcomes of students' avatar design regarding their virtual interactions. Through Likert-scale surveys and factor analysis (n = 424), the research identifies significant trends and dimensions such as 'gender and emotions' and 'metaverse learning benefits', highlighting the importance of tailored educational strategies and gender-sensitive approaches. The findings emphasise the necessity of familiarity with immersive technologies and advocate for user-centric design principles in avatar creation for educational settings. The study offers valuable insights for practitioners involved in metaverse education and avatar design. This research provides a foundation for further exploration and innovation in metaverse education and avatar design, with future research directions including deeper investigations into avatar design dynamics, cross-cultural studies, and ethical considerations associated with virtual learning environments.

Keywords: metaverse; digital persona; avatar; avatar customisation; user experience design; virtual education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2026.155141

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2026 Vol.18 No.3, pp.353 - 375

Received: 20 Jul 2024
Accepted: 22 Nov 2024
Published online: 28 Jul 2026 *

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