The metaverse in virtual education: towards a teacher training proposal based on immersive environments

The expansion of virtual education after the pandemic highlighted the need to incorporate immersive technologies into teaching and learning processes. In this context, the metaverse was considered an innovative alternative with the potential to enrich teaching practice in digital environments. Based on a theoretical review, the role of the metaverse as an immersive learning environment and its applicability to teacher training were examined. References such as Vygotsky's sociocultural theory and Siemens' connectivism were analyzed, highlighting the value of technological mediation and learning networks. Likewise, gaps in digital competencies and limitations in the pedagogical use of the metaverse in Latin American educational contexts were identified. In response, the need to design a training proposal for teachers at Colegio Nuevo Ecuador, aimed at the pedagogical appropriation of the metaverse, was raised. It was concluded that the integration of the metaverse into virtual education requires a specific training intervention that strengthens teachers' digital competencies. This action would improve the quality of teaching in virtual environments and promote more innovative, interactive, and relevant pedagogical processes.