Chula Lecturers’ Magic Metaverse Wins Two Awards at iCAN 2025 in Canada | Newswise

Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Education has recently gained international recognition for an innovative educational tool developed by two of its lecturers. Assistant Professor Dr. Pornpimol Sukhawatee and Professor Dr. Jintawee Klaisang, both from the Center of Excellence in Educational Invention and Innovation, were awarded a gold medal and a special accolade at the 10th International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN 2025). Their project, titled “Magic: English Gamified Quest in the Metaverse to Empower Real Speaking and Listening Communication with Motivation for EFL Learners,” stood out among numerous innovations presented at the event held on August 30, 2025. The innovation, backed by the Fundamental Fund for Fiscal Year 2024 at Chulalongkorn University, creatively merges metaverse technology with gamification strategies aimed at enhancing English language skills, specifically listening and speaking, for Thai university students. The program consists of four carefully designed lessons that simulate real-life interactions and five practical activities. These were developed based on exploratory factor analysis (EFA) conducted on data from 300 non-English major students and further tested on 67 English major students representing northern, northeastern, and central regions of Thailand. What makes this project particularly compelling is its emphasis on digital gamification to boost spoken English communication and student motivation. It features mechanisms that provide immediate feedback, encouraging learners to actively participate and improve. Results from the study were promising, indicating a significant improvement in students' spoken communication skills, with a statistical significance of p = .000. Additionally, students rated their motivation to learn English through this platform quite high, averaging 4.04 out of 5, although the study noted no direct correlation between motivation scores and skill development. Beyond the quantifiable results, focus group interviews revealed overwhelmingly positive feedback from students engaged with the Magic metaverse program. They expressed enthusiasm about learning English in an immersive, interactive environment that felt both engaging and relevant to real-world communication needs. This aligns with the broader objective of the innovation to empower English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners by combining cutting-edge technology with educational theory. The success of this project not only marks a significant achievement for Chulalongkorn University but also contributes valuable insights into how metaverse platforms can be leveraged for educational purposes. The integration of gamification and real-life simulation in language learning presents a promising direction for future educational tools aimed at increasing motivation and improving language proficiency among learners in Thailand and potentially other non-native English-speaking countries.