New Application Scenarios of the Internet of Things: Educational Sector

With the Internet of Things, the sky is the limit. The educational institutions of the future will offer greater security, more access, more interactivity and better learning.

Current technological advances will completely change the world we live in. Machines and everyday objects already have the ability to communicate with each other.

IoT systems are the driving force behind all of these changes and have the full potential to integrate data-driven decision-making into every aspect of human activity. Networks of sensors and actuators in IoT systems are blurring the lines between the physical and digital worlds.

But the Internet of Things is not a new concept

We’ve already witnessed its adaptability in our own lives. Industry has been leveraging this technology to monitor machines and sense changes in the environment.

Hospitals are using it to closely monitor important human signs. Connected devices and home appliances are taking care of our homes, offices and schools. Soon, self-driving cars will rule the roads.

Technology is rapidly expanding into every aspect of our lives. The whole vision of smart cities is not a distant reality. Deloitte believes that this model will help improve quality of life, economic competitiveness and sustainability.

In fact, it is the Internet that lays the foundation for widespread adoption of IoT systems, facilitating the collective intelligence that will support new forms of automated worlds.

However, education is one of the sectors where this technology is still in its infancy. Only now are educational institutions beginning to make efforts to implement IoT solutions.

The importance of modernizing the education sector

Although technology has advanced significantly in the past few years, the adoption of smart classroom technology to change teaching methods is relatively late.

The digital generation is more focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses, but the process remains the same.

We all know that education can reduce poverty, promote economic growth and increase incomes. But utilizing the latest and modern teaching technology can lead to huge improvements in any country. Therefore, the latest technological developments should be incorporated into the education system. Otherwise, it risks falling behind.

Modernizing the education sector can increase individual and national productivity. As the quality of education improves, so does the intelligence of students.

A recent survey by Microsoft and YouGov showed that 60% parents are optimistic about the role of smart classroom technology in their children’s lives. What’s even more impressive is that people from 86% said that using technology in schools, such as computers and educational software, is more beneficial to children’s education.

Classrooms are changing

Gone are the days when teachers scolded students for passing notes. Mobile phones are used more in class now. As electronic devices become more common in schools, teaching methods are evolving toward being more interactive and applicable to the real world.

A one-size-fits-all approach no longer works. Advances in things like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and virtual reality (VR) are changing typical ideologies and they are bringing change into the mainstream. Schools and universities are embracing a new world of concepts.

How can IoT systems be implemented in classrooms?

The Internet of Things can revolutionize the education system. Interconnection is the connection of previously disconnected offline objects and devices. The applications here are many, starting in the classroom and extending outside.

IoT-enabled education solutions range from smart boards to school security applications to managing a comfortable physical environment for students to learn.

A technologically advanced classroom can be equipped with the following IoT systems:

• interactive whiteboard
• Automatic attendance system
• Student ID card
• Temperature and environmental sensors
• Smart, efficient lighting and predictive maintenance of infrastructure
• Smart air conditioning system
• Wireless door locks and locking protocols
• security system

As an extension of this system, connected schools can also provide smart buses. They can notify parents when their children are sent home or provide students with internet access so they can read content on the way.

What are the benefits of IoT for educational institutions?

1. Actively participate

Education must be interactive in order to be effective. Since the technology behind IoT is also interactive, only combining the two will reap double the rewards.

Students learn more by receiving constant feedback on their work. Interactive learning materials stimulate children's interest, enthusiasm and creativity.

For example, the use of assisted learning tools can make anatomical analysis more accessible to students of all ages around the world.

2. Expand current resources

IoT systems require a range of devices that collect data. Smart learning software and IoT applications allow students to collaborate via mobile phones and tablets.

Technology-based books with attached pens allow students to mark different parts of the text.

IoT assistance can bring activities that were previously impossible into the classroom, allowing students to experience the more technical side of the curriculum.

For example, simulations and models can help explain topics such as planetary movements or the development of weather conditions.

3. higher efficiency

This smart classroom technology can help reduce teachers’ workload. By automating specific tasks, such as attendance or grading, teachers can focus on more important aspects.

This is just the beginning of connected technology. One school in eastern China even installed facial recognition technology.

It allows teachers to monitor how attentive students are in class. If a student seems confused or irritable, the teacher can quickly intervene.

4. Improve teaching quality

The use of the Internet and modern devices can encourage improvements to existing teaching programmes. What’s even more interesting is that the whiteboard can record everything discussed in class and make it easy to access the course from any location.

Smart microphones can even identify homework assigned by teachers and automatically update students' plans.

As instruction moves away from traditional textbook material, students will be better able to connect to real-world situations. Referring to real-time issues and real people improves the quality of education.

5. Extensive learning

A school built on IoT does not have to be an ordinary classroom, it can promote online learning through group activities, discussions, webinars and debates.

6. Promote interactive teaching

IoT is changing the dynamics of educational principles, teachers are no longer explaining a subject. Instead, they interact with various components of the classroom.

Activities that require constant feedback, such as mentoring and academic training, help improve individual skills. The Internet of Things will foster a task-based teaching model, where students learn by doing and teachers provide assistance when needed.

7. Identify vulnerable groups

A problem that often occurs in classrooms is that a weak or shy student often falls behind. Children who do not respond promptly may need one-on-one attention.

In addition, teachers can design interactive learning modules to fit at their pace. Lessons can be personalized to build a stronger foundation. The sooner your child is back on track, the sooner he will be able to participate in activities with his classmates.

8. Assist students with disabilities

IoT and AI can also help students with disabilities gain access to education. Microsoft has been praised for its contributions to technology and is now supporting the modernization of classrooms to meet the needs of children with special needs.

The company developed Snap + Core First, a symbol-based communication app to help children with speech impairments express themselves.

9. Build better security measures

Through student IDs, smart schools can implement strict security measures. Some may say this is an invasion of privacy, but it is an effective way to monitor a student's location.

epilogue

Although it will take some time for IoT classroom systems to enter the mainstream, its future is optimistic. There's no denying that it offers powerful benefits.

If implemented correctly, it will bring a host of innovations to the education sector. It can help create a system to educate the next generation of tech-savvy students. The use of real-time data will provide valuable insights to students, parents, teachers and administration.

Original author: Mehul Rajput

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