Engage XR is teaming up with VictoryXR to open 10 virtual universities in the United States this fall. These “Metaversities” will be virtual twins of existing college campuses. Social Media company and metaverse pioneer, Meta is funding the project through the Meta Immersive Learning program and will provide participating students with a Meta Quest 2 headset.
Via metaversities, students will explore a digital campus, attend classes and interact with other students from the comfort of their homes. The virtual classes will cover a variety of subjects, like history and anatomy. According to VictoryXR said classes will offer a level of immersion that isn’t possible in brick-and-mortar classrooms. Through virtual universities, students can partake in virtual field trips such as astronomy field trips on a virtual spacecraft.
“When the history of metaverse education is written, these are the schools that will be known as the metaverse pioneers,” VictoryXR CEO says in a company blogpost. “Remote learning is growing, and these schools have decided to look for something better than a Zoom class.”
Much like in a physical school, students will be able to socialize and break into teams to work on projects. “Just like the real world, students will be able to break into small groups and work on projects together, no matter their physical distance,” says Grubs. “But unlike the real world, they will be able to shrink to the size of Ant-man and tour the human body. It’s no wonder student retention is so much greater.”
Study Shows VR Learning Benefits
According to research published by accountancy firm, PwC, 40 percent of students using VR have greater confidence in their ability to apply skills learned. Additionally, students were 150 percent more engaged in class.
As of now Morehouse College, New Mexico State University, South Dakota State University, Southwestern Oregon Community College, University of Maryland Global Campus, University of Kansas School of Nursing and West Virginia University are known to be participating in the program this fall. However, three more universities will be announced this month.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
