Integrating Flow Theory in Designing Educational Virtual Worlds in the Metaverse

Abstract: The paper presents a study that explores the interconnection of Flow Theory with the acceptance of educational virtual worlds at the Metaverse, making use of the Unified Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) model. The study relied on synthetic data from 120 high school students, which were generated by artificial intelligence with the purpose of testing a theoretical framework without collecting empirical data. The model under consideration measures the interconnection of flow experience with the acceptance factors of performance expectancy, effort, social influence, facilitating conditions, enjoyment, habit, and intention to use. The findings reveal that flow experience acts as a mediator that increases cognitive engagement, intention to continue using, and acceptance of the Metaverse as an educational setting. The study concludes with design guidelines that connect flow theory with the principles of experiential and affective learning in the Metaverse.

Keywords: Flow Theory, UTAUT2, Metaverse, Virtual Worlds, VR/AR.