• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.511-523
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• 2022

This study attempts an appropriate Christian understanding and application of the metaverse. To this end, the general concept, type, and utilization of the metaverse were examined, and the main characteristics of the metaverse were analyzed in three main categories by the association of the concepts and the common factors. Based on this, the main focus of the Christian understanding of the metaverse found in this study is, first, the "transcendental worldview" of the metaverse. Applications include restructuring the Christian worldview and creating a Christian metaverse environment for future generations. Second, it is a "fusion and composite on- and offline" understanding of the metaverse. An integrated on- and off-line understanding of the church, worship, mission, and the missional acceptance of the metaverse are its applications. Third, in the metaverse, it is an "extension of the functionality of the avatar." This presents its application tasks, such as establishing human identity, expanding the concepts of empathy and communication, and expanding Christian ethics and economic views. At the heart of the Christian understanding of the metaverse is worldview, mission, and understanding on human being.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.70
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• pp.37-74
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• 2022

COVID-19, which occurred in Wuhan, China, made it difficult for Korean churches to face to face worship, therefore metaverse emerged as an alternative to solving these problems. metaverse is forming various platforms through technology expressed in 3I(Immersion, Interactive, virtual Image). The purpose of this study is to analyze the application plan of Christian education by applying metaverse technologies to Christian education. In order to achieve the purpose of this study, first, the definition, type, platform, and technology of the metaverse are presented to examine the key of the metaverse, second, in order to analyze the church from the theological educational aspect, the essence of the church, the mission of the church, and the metaverse church are examined, third in order to apply the metaverse to Christian education, it is classified into worship through the metaverse, education through the metaverse, service through the metaverse, the christian relationship through the metaverse, and missions through the metaverse. The application plan of the metaverse for Christian education is that first, worship can be held through metaverse. Second, education can be performed through the metaverse. Third, the metaverse can be used to fulfill the mission of service. Fourth, through the metaverse, christian can fellowship through the metaverse. Fifth, the missionary mission can be carried out through the metaverse. In conclusion, metaverse is still in the development stage, but various programs should be developed to achieve the purpose of Christian education by utilizing various platforms developed so far and utilizing the advantages of the platform. In particular, the Korean church will be able to utilize various programs such as Sunday worship, Sunday school, youth retreat, QT, Bible school, and pilgrimage through the metaverse to make good use of the characteristics of the metaverse. In addition, metaverse is an extended reality(XR) that integrates VR, AR, and MR, and its strength is an engagement in creative Christian educational activities out of the original Christian education. In the future, metaverse technology can be applied to Christian education in various ways as the fourth industrial technology is developing.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.76
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• pp.173-192
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• 2023

Purpose of study: The purpose of this study is to suggest the direction of Christian self-identity while paying attention to the metaverse era. It suggests the direction of education that forms a Christian self-identity based on the problems of identity crisis that may arise due to the problem of de-realization while accepting the situation of the metaverse that has emerged due to the digital revolution. Research content and method: Focusing on the discussion of metaverse and de-realization, this paper suggests the importance of Christian self-identity and the direction of education. For this purpose, four tasks of practical theology were carried out based on Richard Osmer's consensus model. As the desciptive-empirical task was carried out, the opportunities and risks of the metaverse were brought up. Through the interpretive task, the problem of metaverse and de-realization was presented. The normative task emphasized the importance of Christian self-identity, and the pragmatic task proposed an education oriented towards Christian self-identity. Conclusions and Suggestions: It is important for education in the metaverse era to form a sense of Christian self-identity. The purpose of education is the formation of Christian's self-identity, and the content is to build the Christian relationality self, equality self, and openness self. The teaching method is interactive teaching, and the teacher and learner can be presented as an encounter between interpreters. The environment is any area of interpreted life, and evaluation can manifest itself in Christian life as disciples and citizens. The suggestion is to suggest compedency education methods for acquiring Christian self-identity while considering various generations.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.76
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• pp.213-235
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• 2023

Purpose of study: The focus of this study is to explore the potential of using the metaverse platform as a mission field for the MZ generation and to derive utilization strategies. Research content and method: The content and methodology of the research are as follows: examining the metaverse platforms most widely utilized by the MZ generation from a social and cultural perspective, reviewing the characteristics of the MZ generation, and exploring elements in the metaverse that can be utilized as a mission field (Chapters I and II). The study explores the possibilities of approaching the metaverse as a mission site, presenting spatial utilization strategies centered around the active engagement potential of the MZ generation (Chapters III, IV, and V). Conclusions and Suggestions: The conclusion and recommendations are as follows: The metaverse space is considered familiar and highly appealing to the MZ generation, revealing the potential for its effective use and expansion. Therefore, it is urgent not only to utilize the metaverse space as a Christian mission field but also to take responsibility for its use and expansion as a Christian cultural space.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.70
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• pp.267-302
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• 2022

Digital transformation, which is accelerating in each area of society due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is also having a profound effect on Christian education. A representative example of digital transformation is the emergence of a digital world called the metaverse. This study understands the metaverse as an expanded space for Christian education and explores digital storytelling as a method for faith formation. It is argued that the characteristics of digital storytelling through metaverse spaces are characterized by interactivity, agency, audiovisuality, sociality, and openness, and that modification through Christian educational frames is necessary in order for this approach to be appropriated to Christian educational practice. To this end, this study examines Anne Wimberly's story-linking approach, and Mary Hess' approach on digital storytelling, which is understood as a way of faith formation for the liberation and Christian vocation through storytelling in a digital space, focusing on authority, authenticity, and agency. It is argued that Christian education on the Metaverse should be a place for change in the Christian life and formation of vocation, and a space where participants' active responses to God's grace be practiced in a digital space in a reciprocal way. This means that learners are encouraged to participate in expressive and relational education that is practiced in the form of play and creation, responding to God's initiative in the metaverse. This study argues that for digital storytelling through the metaverse to become a process of faith formation, it is necessary to connect stories of participants with the story of God's Kingdom in the expanded digital world, aim for a reciprocal space through hospitality and listening, and promote immersive participation and holistic reflection.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.71
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• pp.341-370
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• 2022

As COVID-19 has been converted to an endemic with social distancing lifted, people are getting used to new cultures and lifestyles that are different from before. While the world is now adapting to rapidly changing trends, Christian education is facing a crisis without being able to respond to these changes. Therefore, a new Christian education method is now required. The purpose of this study is to suggest a new Christian education method that allows Christians to properly lead a new era as an alternative to Christian education that is experiencing such a crisis. The study also presents the metaverse Christian education platform, which is a detailed and practical method of Christian education, by incorporating the platform and metaverse that are under the spotlight in the post-Corona era into Christian education. Here, the christian educational platform refers to the system, space, and various materials that can make Christian education efficient and smooth. The metaverse Christian education platform consists of 4 stages according to the size of the platform to activate supply and demand within the platform. Stage 1 is a home education platform, Stage 2 is a community education platform, Stage 3 is a regional union education platform, and Stage 4 is an educational mission platform. The last Stage 4, the educational mission platform utilized the metaverse, which is drastically expanding in the present era, as a method of educational mission. It is meaningful that the educational mission has been embodied by providing small churches and the next generation in underdeveloped countries with educational contents, educational materials, online mentors, virtual communities, and real-time educational broadcasts within the educational platform, using virtual spaces in the metaverse.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.78
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• pp.231-262
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• 2024

This study aims to explore the impact of learners' gratitude tendencies on computer reasoning and digital efficacy in a Christian program utilizing metaverse, generative AI, and Scratch at each stage based on design thinking (Chapter I). The subjects of the study are learners who participated in a youth Christian program for two weeks on January 20th and 27th, 2024, consisting of 22 middle and high school students. Gratitude tendencies, computer reasoning, and digital efficacy were measured through post-program surveys, and simple regression analysis was conducted. Open-ended survey questions were used for learner perception analysis (Chapter II). The research results showed that learners' gratitude tendencies significantly influence computer reasoning. Additionally, learners' gratitude tendencies significantly affect confidence and familiarity among the sub-dimensions of digital efficacy, while not showing a significant impact on usefulness. The significance of this study lies in specifically exploring learners' experiential perceptions in metaverse, generative AI, and Scratch utilization in design thinking-based edutech programs in Christian education. It is hoped that the results.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.76
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• pp.259-280
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• 2023

Purpose of study: This study aims to analyze the educational use of metaverses among pre-service nursing teachers at a university and explore the implications of designing and operating effective metaverse lessons. Research content and method: This study collected and analyzed data on the experiences and perceptions of 32 pre-nursing teachers enrolled in J University, a very small Christian-based university in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, Korea, who participated in a class using metaverses. And based on this, we analyzed the advantages, difficulties, and improvements of the class, differences from classes using Zoom, impressions of the class, and suggestions for effective classes. Conclusions and Suggestions: As a result of analyzing various aspects of perceptions and experiences of classes utilizing the metaverse, it was found that in order to conduct effective classes utilizing the metaverse, it is necessary to check the infrastructure for communication and devices before class, select a metaverse platform according to the goals and contents of the course, and build a space for educational activities. In addition, it was found that it is necessary to provide guidance on how to use the metaverse and conduct sufficient training before running classes with learner-centered teaching methods. In the future, it is expected that systematic research on the principles and teaching-learning models of classroom design using the metaverse will continue to be conducted.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.71
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• pp.241-276
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• 2022

Due to the 4th industrial revolution, which started with the Smart Revolution in the early 21st century, Hyper-Connectivity, Hyper-Convergence and Hyper-Intelligence of our society is accelerating. These changes induced formation of Metaverse as a fused new space that crosses the perimeter of the physical space and virtual(digital) spaces beyond time and place. The characteristics of Metaverse are continuously spread by engaging with the characteristics of the MZ generation, which collects both Millennial generation (M Generation) and Z Generation. With outburst of Covid-19 pandemic, a variety of attempts have been made to utilize Metaverse, even in church education when it was impossible to worship directly. In other words, the usefulness of the Metaverse was confirmed as a new community space of the education of the church. In addition, Metaverse may provide a substantial, experiential and evolving space for church education. However, in order for church education to further develop, the development in the method of education is also required to move beyond mere concept of space. In particular, when the learner-centered education method, one of the common characteristics of the Metaverse and MZ generation, it is thought that the church education in the Metaverse era will be able to go in a more evolving direction.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.69
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• pp.45-75
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to explore the implementation of Bibliodrama on the metaverse platforms. In other words, to create interesting and effective Bible education for modern learners, this study took a didactical approach to the implementation of Bibliodrama through the metaverse. The main reason to be enthusiastic about using the metaverse for education is because users, who have been only content consumers, now able to experience and create values. As a Bible didactical approach, Bibliodrama is a an emphatical and communicative learning method in the form of role play. Bibliodrama seeks to interact with the world of the learner and the world of the Bible through improvisational acting, to study the Bible. Through the Bible didactical approach, the meeting of Bibliodrama and the metaverse can have a positive effect on modern learners, in terms of improving learning environment and, above all else, increasing learning interest. In terms of biblical didactics, implementing Bibliodrama in the metaverse has the following advantages. First, it helps to construct a dramatic situation and environment so that the meaning of the biblical text can be proved relevant to today's learners, not something belonging to the past. Second, in the metaverse, the historical space and characters of the Bible can be realized in virtual reality to produce a 'situational play'. Demonstrating freedom, imagination and creativity in the metaverse learners play in Bibliodrama. This way they also become aware of the hidden meaning of the blank pages in the Bible. Third, the metaverse environment is not static but dynamic and interactive; Bibliodrama pursues an interpretation that harmonizes spirit and body. Therefore, through the dynamic activities of discovering the meaning and significance of the Bible, it is possible to form a holistic faith in which spirit and body act as one.