The power of the Internet in transforming the world is undeniable. The Internet of Things (IoT), which describes the connection of gadgets to the Internet, has particularly been a force to be reckoned with, given the numerous ways it has transformed everyday life. Even before the Pandemic struck, if you are a college student, you must have by now encountered one of the applications of IoT, whether knowingly or unknowingly. That is right. IoT has become ubiquitous in students’ lives, and this trend will likely endure for the foreseeable future. This post provides you with the definition of Internet of Things in education, the role it plays, and some of its most interesting applications for you to appreciate its revolutionary impact.
What is IoT in Education in Simple Terms?
IoT in education basically refers to its application in the education industry. You have probably heard about e-learning by now because this was the saving grace for many schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, which made traditional instruction approaches impossible, at least at the time. It is just among many of the applications of the Internet of Things in education. Developments in mobile technology have provided schools with opportunities to improve learning outcomes, enhance safety on their premises, and monitor key resources. All these factors constitute the definition of IoT in education.
The application of IoT in education is barely limited to a specific group of learners. It can begin as early as kindergarten and extend well beyond high school into college academic life, where its impact is the most profound. IoT readily avails information to students, allowing them to study, even in the home setting. Doubtless, this trend has augmented convenience for many learners. More importantly, however, it has transformed instruction for teachers and professors. Learning has become personalized, increasing student achievement outcomes.
Outside the classroom, IoT has also found several uses. Schools now use it to monitor their staff, equipment, resource utilization, and students. Insights gained from such survey activities allow educators to minimize operating costs and improve campus safety. Concerning the latter, the IoT enables students to adjust their schedules and avoid potentially dangerous areas by keeping track of connected buses. It is also integral to security surveillance systems, such as face identification devices, wireless door locks, and CCTV cameras.
The Role of Internet of Things in Education: 4 EdTech Companies Leading the Way
- Tynker in Mountain View, California – Tynker is one of the best examples of the role of IoT in education, especially in advancing coding for youngsters. The system is an excellent resource for kids learning programming. Initially, it starts off kids with visual code blocks for playing, after which they learn about actual coding languages, like JavaScript and Python. Ultimately, students gain the coding knowledge and insights to create anything they wish, from robots to mobile phone applications.
- Promethean in Seattle, Washington. – It is a one-stop shop that can potentially drive whiteboards and blackboards into obsolescence. It specializes in developing interactive displays that allow teachers to apply it similarly to traditional boards but with few resources utilized. Promethean also provides personalized training and instruction to educators and teachers, with lesson delivery interfaces relying on cloud computing. As one of the leading education technology companies globally, Promethean has taken the initiative to pioneer learning innovations with the latest technological developments.
- Magicard in Weymouth, the United Kingdom – Magicard creates varying smart cards learners can use for virtually anything, including attendance and facility access to time. Ideally, this education technology company eradicates needless paperwork. It also connects data to the IoT, improving access and organization. If you want to learn about Magicard but have paper that will inconvenience you, CustomWritings is an excellent custom writing company where you can find an essay writer for hire who will complete your paper from scratch, according to your instructions.
- Blackboard in Washington, DC – Both higher education institutions and K-12 schools use Blackboard as one of the most common learning environment systems in the United States. Its features include grading functionalities and virtual classrooms. Blackboard’s interactive collaboration tools facilitate effective online interactions between students and teachers.
Factors Influencing the Application of Internet of Things in Education
- Education policies – Education policies championing the integration of learning technologies in the classroom have been behind the growing application of IoT in education. They demand structural changes in how teachers deliver instruction to improve achievement outcomes for students. Without the push from these policies, IoT would never exist in the education sector, despite its apparent usefulness.
- Integrity – IoT application in education also depends greatly on the integrity of the data collected. Schools must deploy the appropriate technologies to achieve this objective. Therefore, IoT technologies are the most relevant because they allow different parties to use them without extra costs. With reliable data, IoT’s application in education is bound to succeed.
- Security – Security is another crucial factor impacting IoT application in education. The involvement of students, especially those in the K-12 cohort, necessitates the significance of data security to uphold the privacy of stakeholders. Both schools and parents need assurance that these systems will be secure and safe to use. With this guarantee, the application is likely to be successful.
Top 4 Benefits of Internet of things in Education
- Improving learning for special-need students – IoT has greatly transformed education for students with special needs. Firstly, the freedom it provides them to learn, without the pressure of competition, guarantees them excellent performance. During exams, for example, learners with hearing problems could change their voice into text. Moreover, blind students use Virtual Reality (VR) gadgets to view the smartboard. Thus, it is likely that IoT might eradicate the need for different curriculums for these groups of learners.
- Promoting task-based learning – IoT has contributed immensely to introducing task-based learning in the education system. The flipped classrooms allow students to attend classes already equipped with a basic understanding of the topics the teacher will address during the lesson. Learning takes a more task-based approach as IoT-enabled gadgets guarantee that student collaboration and knowledge-sharing will occur efficiently and effectively.
- Textbook enhancement – The threat of physical textbooks becoming obsolete is growing bigger every time developments in learning technologies emerge. For those who cannot afford purchasing a physical copy, Quick Response (QR) codes have allowed them to easily access these textbooks, among other relevant resources, including assignments and instructor feedback. Through this enhancement, the IoT has reduced the hassle of carrying many bulky learning materials and resources.
- Parental engagement in student learning – Parental engagement in their children’s academic lives is also one of the benefits of IoT in education. The education app ClassDojo, downloadable from Google Play and the Apple Store, provides parents with opportunities to view schoolwork and progress through videos and images. The technology is very common globally, and about 95% of all K-8 American schools use it.
Wrapping Up
Surely, no one can deny how IoT has transformed the education sector. Its application in learning and teaching represents a big shift toward digitalizing the educational environment. While there is still much schools can do to capitalize on this technological development, its positive impact on learning and teaching is clear.
