Meta has officially launched its ‘Meta for Education’ initiative, moving it out of the beta phase. Now, schools and educational bodies worldwide can equip their classrooms with Quest headsets and explore an array of XR educational apps and software.
First introduced last April, Meta for Education provides a robust package for educators eager to integrate XR technology into their teaching environments. This package includes Quest headsets, subscriptions to XR management solutions, and various tools designed specifically for administrators, teachers, and students.
Throughout its beta phase, Meta collaborated with colleges across the United States and the United Kingdom. These partnerships were instrumental in fine-tuning the platform. Educators observed that both virtual and mixed reality significantly boosted student engagement and enhanced their understanding of complex subjects.
In an engaging discussion, Nick Clegg, Meta’s President of Global Affairs and former Deputy Prime Minister of the UK, eloquently described the transformative capabilities of immersive technology in schooling. He emphasized how these tools enable students to virtually experience scenarios they otherwise couldn’t.
“Enhancing educational opportunities for children has always been a passion of mine in both politics and technology,” Clegg shared. “Among the myriad technological advancements at Meta, I’ve been particularly captivated by the potential of immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality in revolutionizing education. Through Meta for Education, my ambition is to simplify the way students acquire new skills, foster interaction with teachers and peers, and undertake virtual journeys to incredible destinations. Above all, I hope it empowers educators to excel in their teaching.”
Meta also shared insights from a survey conducted within 43 schools from the Inspired Education Group already utilizing immersive tech. Results showed that 87% of students became more engaged and interested in their studies. Meanwhile, 85% of teachers found virtual and mixed reality to be powerful teaching aids. Additionally, students demonstrated a 15% increase in performance on multiple-choice tests.
This program’s transition from beta is backed by partnerships with institutions like Arizona State University, Imperial College London, and the University of Miami to embed VR into their courses.
Moreover, in collaboration with VictoryXR, Meta has established over 30 “metaversities” via the Engage XR platform, crafting digital twin campuses for remote student engagement. These digital campuses are now accessible at institutions such as The University of Leeds in the UK, University of the Basque Country in Spain, and University of Hannover in Germany.
For educators eager to delve deeper into the Meta for Education program, further details and application contacts are available on their website. This spans across a wide range of countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, and several others throughout Europe and North America.
