Meta Launches ‘Meta for Education’ Program, Introducing Quest to Classrooms

Meta has officially launched its ‘Meta for Education’ initiative, moving beyond its beta phase to offer schools and educational institutions worldwide the chance to integrate Quest headsets and a suite of education-oriented XR apps and tools into their teaching environments.

Unveiled initially in April, Meta for Education presents a holistic approach for educators eager to incorporate XR technology into classrooms. The package includes Quest headsets, XR management solution subscriptions tailored specifically for educational use, and a plethora of applications and tools designed for administrators, educators, and students alike.

Throughout the beta period, Meta collaborated with various colleges across the US and UK to fine-tune this platform. Educators from these institutions noted that virtual and mixed reality greatly enhanced student engagement and made complex subject matter easier to grasp.

Nick Clegg, Meta’s President of Global Affairs and former UK Deputy Prime Minister, underscores the transformative impact of immersive technology, highlighting its ability to allow students to engage with content in ways they might not otherwise experience.

Reflecting on his career, Clegg shares, “Improving educational opportunities for children has always been a priority for me in both politics and technology. Of all the technological strides at Meta, the potential of immersive experiences in education truly captivates me. With Meta for Education, I envision students gaining the opportunity to learn and hone new skills, experience a real connection with educators and peers, and explore realms beyond the confines of their reality. Most importantly, I hope it empowers teachers to excel in their mission to educate.”

Meta shared insights from 43 Inspired Education Group schools using immersive tech with teenagers, revealing that 87% of students felt more captivated by their studies, while 85% of educators recognized the value of VR and mixed reality in enhancing their teaching methods. There was also a noticeable 15% uptick in students’ performance in multiple-choice tests.

The conclusion of the beta phase coincides with Meta’s collaborations with esteemed institutions like Arizona State University, Imperial College London, and the University of Miami to weave VR into academic programs.

Meta, in partnership with VictoryXR, has also launched over 30 virtual campuses via the Engage XR platform, offering digital twin campuses for students to interact remotely, now accessible to those at The University of Leeds in the UK, University of the Basque Country in Spain, and University of Hannover in Germany.

Educators keen on exploring what Meta for Education could bring to their classrooms can visit the program’s website for more details or to connect with representatives in 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.