Meta expands access to Quest devices for education to general public

After beta test, Meta has announced the availability of new Meta for Education to the general public, giving them access to immersive teaching and learning.

The company announced this on 26 February, adding that users will also have access to mixed and virtual reality through Meta Horizon managed services.

This is coming through the Meta for Education offering which is designed to give students an immersive learning experience they would never get otherwise.

Why MR and VR

Mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR) are two of the many immersive experiences available and are used by Meta for Education. 

According to the company, these two have the potential to transform teaching and learning since they give students hands-on, interactive experiences that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

Headsets like Meta Quest 3 and 3S can be used for immersive experiences in activities ranging from exploring the molecular structure of a chemical compound to getting a front-row seat to epoch-defining historical events.

Positive feedback

Out of 83 schools already using immersive technology in the classroom, 90% of students reported increased engagement and interest in their lessons, with a 25% boost in confidence in their knowledge. 

Additionally, 85% of teachers say virtual and mixed reality are a valuable tool to enhance their teaching, while students experienced a 15% improvement in their academic performance on multiple-choice assessments.

Commenting, Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta and former UK Deputy Prime Minister said:

“Of all the technological advances I’ve witnessed at Meta, immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality really caught my imagination because of the potential they have to transform the way we learn. My hope is that, through Meta for Education, we can make it easier for students to learn, practice, and apply new skills.“

The company first deployed Meta Quest devices for education to European Universities last year, and is now expanding the offering to more users.