Main points
- Meta is launching an education platform for Quest VR devices, similar to Quest for Business.
- Currently, using Quests in schools requires time-consuming administration.
- Meta will reveal more details soon; you can use it wherever you find Quest for Business.
Meta aims to push VR deeper into schools with the launch of “a new offering of Quest devices specifically for education,” the company said on Monday. When the platform launches later in 2024, teachers, administrators and trainers will be able to access education-specific apps and features and manage multiple Quest devices simultaneously. The product is said to be similar to Meta Quest for Business, which will be launched in 2023.
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Until now, schools that wanted to use Quests had to configure and update each headset individually, including installing the app. Anyone who owns a Quest 3 knows that even with the device’s improvements, the process can be time-consuming. Most importantly, organizations must find a way to keep each pair of headsets and controllers charged so they are ready to go. With its built-in battery, the Quest 3 usually only lasts about two hours, which is unlikely to be enough for a full day of use.
According to Meta, most details about the education platform, such as its name and features, will be revealed “in the coming months.” The only other information available so far is that it will launch in the markets where Quest for Business is available (currently up to 21, including countries like the United States and Canada) and will be limited to schools with students 13 or older. This makes sense, since VR is generally not recommended for young children with developing eyesight, and Meta doesn’t support Quest accounts for children under 10 at all. Another issue could be fragility, as VR headsets and accessories can easily break if the user fails to pay attention to nearby obstacles while immersed.
The prospects for large-scale deployment of VR in schools are uncertain. Many organizations have trouble affording devices like Chromebooks or iPads, and a single Quest 3 starts at $500, at least before any agency’s hefty discounts. Schools are more likely to adopt the Quest 2, which is still on sale at a discounted price of $280.
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Meta has been trying to convince the public that its headphones are good for more than just gaming and movies. In this spirit, the company focuses on the possibilities for remote collaboration and the ability to extend your computer desktop through virtual displays. Still, even though the Quest 3 uses a phone-like processor, its eyepiece isn’t as clear and readable as the Apple Vision Pro. There are relatively few educational apps available for Quests, two of the more notable examples being Mission ISS (a trip to the International Space Station) and Traveling While Black (a once-acclaimed documentary that has not been online for several months) , due to technical issues. If Meta wants the mission to be attractive to educators, it may need to find ways to push for more app development.