Development and Effectiveness of a University Student Coaching Program Using Metaverse Space

Abstract

This study aims to develop and implement a coaching program in the metaverse space to address issues faced by university students during their life stage and verify their effectiveness. The overall program consists of four sessions: "Opening," "Metaverse-based Coaching Clinic (2 sessions)," and "Coaching Clinic Reflection and Feedback." A total of 20 participants were selected through S University's extracurricular program system. To assess the effectiveness of the program, surveys, as well as focus group interviews (FGIs) were conducted. Using SPSS 26.0, significant differences were observed in the participants' career decision self-efficacy and resilience. The FGIs were conducted with a total of four participants divided into two groups, with each group lasting for one hour. The analysis revealed key phases, including the introductory phase comprising participants' motivation and expectations, the main phases consisting of program operation, coaching perception and outcomes, metaverse environment, and metaverse coaching perception and outcomes, as well as the concluding phase in which recommendations are suggested for subsequent programs. The study confirmed the significant impact of coaching in the metaverse space and highlighted the maximization of coaching effectiveness through mutual anonymity facilitated by avatars. This research holds significance as an exploratory study that practically verifies the potential expansion of the metaverse environment in the coaching field.