Houston Community College is taking students ‘into the metaverse.’ Here’s what that means.
Houston Community College leaders are hoping to trade in PowerPoint presentations and long-winded lectures for virtual reality headsets and 3D simulations.
The goal? Take all students "into the metaverse" by fall of 2025.
HCC Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher said virtual and augmented reality technology will be used in every one of the nearly 100 programs the college offers by next fall, an ambitious goal that could dramatically reshape what instruction looks like.
The plan, which Ford Fisher unveiled in a speech she delivered at HCC's State of The College ceremony earlier this month, is the latest move by HCC to establish itself as a pioneer of the use of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
"We are entering the metaverse," Ford Fisher said. "In fact, HCC is leading the way."
But what does that mean, and how will it impact students' experience inside the classroom? Here's what we know.
What is the metaverse?The exact definition of "metaverse" is ever-evolving . However, when HCC leaders speak about it, they're referring to a virtual world or simulation that users can immerse themselves in with the help of VR and AR technology.
In practice, this would look like HCC students learning with VR headsets — headgear that makes the user feel like they are in a different environment — or interacting as avatars inside digital spaces.
"This immersive experience transforms students from passive spectators (in classes) to active participants," Ford Fisher said.
How will this change classes?College leaders hope students will put down the pen and paper and use the technology to place themselves in a simulation geared toward their class content.
For example, an anatomy student could use VR to interact with a simulated human body. A Spanish-language student could practice navigating airport security by speaking with an AI avatar inside an airport simulation. Interior design students can create and walk through virtual rooms.
The college's goal to integrate the technology across all subjects raises questions about how it will fit into some more traditional courses. HCC Public Relations Director Stephen Lestarjette for the college didn't respond to questions from the Landing about how VR would be used in common prerequisite classes like math or English.
Sumesh Surendran, a student who began in HCC's AI associates program before transitioning into the bachelor's degree program, said he's enjoyed hands-on work in his classes.
"I remember when I first took AI classes, the lectures, they were actually giving some videos from YouTube," Surendran said in an interview. "They were telling us to go and watch the video and give a brief description about what we learned from it — things like that. But right now, HCC is not like that. ... It's less lectures and more hands-on things."
How much will this cost?Asked multiple times by the Landing, HCC has been vague about how much it will cost to expand "into the metaverse" by next fall.
HCC operates 19 campuses and serves roughly 59,000 students. Meta's cheapest headset retails for about $300, with its most advanced version costing $1,000.
Mussassir Siddiqi, HCC's vice chancellor of instructional innovation and digital strategy, wrote in a statement that the college's instructional budget will "support Metaverse expansion and related activities, including faculty professional development, subscriptions, and licensing" Siddiqi did not provide any specific cost estimates.
The college has received funding from other sources for advanced technology. HCC is one of three community colleges recently awarded nearly $3 million from the National Science Foundation for developing AI courses, certificates and degree programs.
All students will be able to check out VR headsets in all campus labs and libraries, Ford Fisher said.
"It's going to be integrated throughout all of what we offer, in every single program," Ford Fisher said. "That is not going to be any different from buying the laptops that we provide. Students have been able to check out the laptops, they can check out ... the headsets, as well. ... And many (students) are purchasing their own."
Ford Fisher said they also plan to provide VR tools to online students.
Have other colleges done this?A number of colleges have done so , particularly as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to reduce feelings of isolation and mimic real classroom experiences while students learn from home.
HCC's plans, however, are uniquely expansive. Many other schools have taken a slower approach because integrating VR into classrooms can be pricey, the technology is still relatively novel, and education leaders are still debating the pros and cons of it.
How will HCC do all of this by next fall?Buying enough VR headsets for all programs is just one piece of the puzzle .
The headsets don't come equipped with the content that students would actually be using or interacting with in college classes. HCC will have to find or create that software.
Siddiqi said the college will determine what software is best for each academic program by collaborating with VR companies like Meta and Unity; gathering student and faculty feedback about content they currently use; and gathering input from industry experts.
The software HCC uses will come from several sources: partnerships with tech firms; existing educational VR platforms like Frame, which allows users to meet in virtual spaces; HCC technology employees developing their own software; and collaboration with other education institutions.
Siddiqi said HCC is providing "comprehensive support" and professional development to faculty, allowing them to experiment with the technology in campus labs.
Miranda covers Houston's community colleges in partnership with Open Campus. Despite roughly half of Houston's higher-education students attending community colleges, there hasn't been much news covering these systems or students — until now. Her reporting holds institutions accountable, highlights barriers faced by students and helps them navigate their opportunities. Reach Miranda at or on Twitter and Instagram .
