THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTANCE TEAMWORK COMPETENCE THROUGH THE USE OF THE SECOND LIFE® METAVERSE

Abstract

With the developments in Information and Communication Technologies (ict), Distance Education (DE) has spread and brought with it new challenges, such as the development of behavioral competencies required by the labor market, for example the competence for teamwork. Considering the need to explore new technologies that contribute to developing this competence, the goal of this study was to identify if and how the use of metaverse technology (3D Digital Virtual Worlds) can contribute to the development of teamwork competence in distance education, in the area of Human Resource Management. The method used was the Design Research and the artifact developed was a training method in the metaverse Second Life®. A team with six volunteer students participated in the research. The students perceived the following as the main metaverse technology affordances regarding the development of teamwork competence: the construction of a context for such development, the experience of situations allowing people to plan, act and interact, the ability to apply management techniques and practical activities, and the provision of a space for the development of interpersonal relationships. Regarding the artifact (training method), the main issues identified as requiring improvement were: more adequate time schedules for meetings and more interaction time. About the technology, several educational affordances of the metaverse were identified, as were some difficulties associated with its use. The research led to a series of lessons learned about the use of this technology, and these lessons may be useful to other similar applications when seeking to advance the methods and resources for the development of teamwork competence in Distance Education, in the area of Administration.