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The Internet of Things is one of the most significant technological breakthroughs in the past few years. Having already disrupted a number of industries, IoT designers are determining how to bring technology to the classroom. There, they might improve learning efficiency and student engagement.
Right now, more than 26 billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices are used to collect and analyze information. It’s estimated that there will be over 38.6 billion IoT devices functioning worldwide. Industries ranging from manufacturing to finance use this smart hardware, which connects to the internet and shares data with other devices. But what about IoT in education?
Discover what the future of IoT in education looks like — and how these devices might change the classroom.
Benefits of IoT in Education
According to one survey, smart devices increase student engagement rates up to 55 percent by allowing for better demonstrations and reducing possible distractions.
Some IoT solutions for education simplify tedious tasks. The ScanMarker, for example, allows students to scan information from textbooks digitally, no highlighters necessary. This technology can increase the lifespan of books, improve note-taking speeds, and create shareable notes that are less likely to get lost or damaged.
Other IoT devices provide real-time feedback, keeping students engaged and learning. For example, teachers can use data-tracking sensors that collect information, like humidity and temperature levels, in classroom experiments. Experts claim these devices can boost classroom learning — despite gender, age or experience with electronics.
Robots powered by IoT technology, like those from LocoRobo, can provide demonstrations of robotics and programming concepts — and at prices most schools can afford. Coding education companies, like Tynker, use IoT to teach programming with physical, real-time feedback.
The benefits of IoT in education are endless. Smart technology could reduce the need for pencil and paper, helping classrooms go green and cut down on waste. Plus, there are benefits for school administrators.
Wearable badges equipped with RFID chips allow students to scan into doors secured with smart locks — an ideal way to improve school safety. Plus, they can track student movement. GPS devices in school buses keep parents updated on their kids’ locations as they’re transported to different activities, even when they’ve left for the day. Schools can also use this data to optimize bus routes or reduce the distance students need to walk to their stop.
How IoT Might Reshape Teaching Theory
Smart technology will likely encourage remote learning and personalized education styles. Digital learning management systems, like Blackboard, are designed to work with IoT devices.
Classes that previously needed to be in-person — like physical education — can be held online. Wearable fitness trackers can also personalize the experience. Schools can use data collected from devices to give insightful feedback to students. They can pinpoint how a course is improving health in terms of heart rate, blood pressure and so on.
IoT devices may enable more data-driven forms of teaching, where both students and educators have access to large amounts of information. Students can use this data to complete classroom experiments and learn more about topics like chemistry and physics. At the same time, educators can use data on student engagement to inform teaching methods and build lesson plans.
IoT in the Classrooms of the Future
Many classrooms around the country already use IoT devices. In smart classrooms, devices like ScanMarker and data collection sensors increase student engagement and provide real-time feedback. As this technology becomes common in schools, it will likely reduce distractions further.
The future of IoT in education will enable new forms of teaching — such as fully-remote physical education and science courses or data-driven teaching methods. Educators can use this technology to inform methodologies and build lesson plans.
The Internet of Things has a definite emerging place in education. How will classrooms change as a result?
