Meta has recently announced the official release of its ‘Meta for Education’ program, which was previously in beta. This initiative now allows schools and educational institutions globally to enhance their classrooms with Quest headsets, capitalizing on a range of XR apps and software designed specifically for educational purposes.
When it was first introduced back in April, Meta for Education emerged as a holistic approach for educators aiming to integrate XR technology into classroom learning. This program provides not only the Quest headsets but also subscriptions to XR management solutions with devices designed for classroom settings, alongside a suite of tools and apps curated for administrators, educators, and pupils alike.
During its beta phase, Meta collaborated with colleges across the US and UK to refine the platform. Educators involved have reported noticeable improvements in student engagement and comprehension of complex subjects through the use of virtual and mixed reality.
Nick Clegg, Meta’s President of Global Affairs and a former UK Deputy Prime Minister, emphasized the transformative power of immersive technologies in education. He believes these tools can allow students to experience environments and scenarios that would otherwise be out of reach.
“Enhancing children’s life chances through education has always been a passion of mine through my career in both politics and technology,” Clegg commented. “Immersive technologies, like virtual and augmented reality, have truly captured my imagination at Meta due to their potential to revolutionize learning. My hope is that Meta for Education will ease the process for students to learn, practice, and apply new skills, maintain a sense of presence with their teachers and peers, and access experiences that are otherwise unattainable. Above all, I hope it empowers teachers to excel in their teaching.”
Feedback from 43 Inspired Education Group schools, which have already implemented immersive technology in their classrooms, highlights that 87% of students felt more engaged and interested in their lessons. Furthermore, 85% of teachers recognized virtual and mixed reality as valuable tools that enhance their teaching methods. Notably, students also demonstrated a 15% improvement in academic performance on multiple-choice tests.
With the program’s transition from beta, Meta has formed partnerships with prominent institutions such as Arizona State University, Imperial College London, and the University of Miami to incorporate VR into their educational frameworks.
Moreover, in collaboration with VictoryXR, Meta has developed more than 30 “metaversities” using the Engage XR platform. These digital twin campuses facilitate remote student interaction and are now accessible to students at universities such as The University of Leeds in the UK, the University of the Basque Country in Spain, and the University of Hannover in Germany.
Educators keen on exploring Meta for Education further can visit the program’s website, which provides contact information for prospective applicants from countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.
