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Tech giant Meta is extending its reach into the education sector, with plans to introduce a new product tailored for its virtual reality (VR) headsets and to be used in classrooms.
Announced in a blog post on April 15 by Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta, the upcoming product aims to equip teachers with a range of educational apps and features, while enabling them to manage multiple Quest devices simultaneously.
Clegg highlighted the emerging role of the metaverse in education, citing examples such as New Mexico State University’s use of VR for teaching criminal justice through simulated crime scenes, and the University of Glasgow’s use of virtual environments to explore biological processes.
Additionally, Clegg referenced studies suggesting that VR can enhance learning outcomes. For instance, a 2022 report from Morehouse College indicated that students who engaged with VR learning achieved higher test scores compared to traditional in-person instruction.
Set to debut later this year, Meta’s new educational VR product will cater to institutions serving students aged 13 and above. Further details regarding its name and features will be disclosed in the coming months.
“We want it to be something that makes it easier for students to learn, apply and practice new skills; feel a sense of presence with teachers and classmates; and to visit places or experience things that would otherwise be impossible,” Clegg stated in the blog post.
This initiative follows Meta’s recent celebration of ten years of metaverse advancements, commemorating milestones such as the acquisition of Oculus and the development of VR and smart glasses technologies.
Meta’s pivot towards the education sector aligns with the transformative potential of VR, given the transformative benefits it offers — including enhanced collaboration and the elimination of geographical barriers.
According to Statista, the metaverse education market is projected to grow substantially, reaching a value of $2.5 billion by the end of the year and an estimated market volume of $24.7 billion by 2030.
