by Alex Well
How the development of the Internet of Things can affect the process of modern education. IoT applications that are actively used in 2021. Positive aspects of the introduction of the IoT into modern education in the context of the pandemic.
In the era of digital transformation, it's not just phones and watches that are becoming smart. The educational realm is also striving to move away from dusty chalkboards and tons of paperwork. Moreover, the coronavirus pandemic has forced humanity to think about global changes in the field of learning.
If previously it seemed impossible to get information from a teacher, to pass a paper, or create a project without the physical presence of students at school or university, now we are on the verge of significant changes.
The synergy of electronic technology, high-speed Internet, and distance learning is becoming the first step toward developing a fully digital society.
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The introduction of the Internet of Things is shifting the passive educational process toward an active one. By getting rid of stationary objects such as massive blackboards, desks, stuffy libraries, teachers can pay more attention to the educational process itself, interacting with students, establishing strong feedback.
The IoT in education makes time and space boundaries more blurred, gives high productivity, quantity, and speed of information delivery.
This phenomenon is rightfully taking the lead among the Internet of Things for education. Interactive screens embedded in "blackboards" or desks have become the transition step between the old way of thinking and the new one. When we hear that today's children have absolutely no desire to learn, they lack patience and perseverance, it is worth bearing in mind that the problem is not the children or the teachers. The problem is that today's young people have to experience this very transition between the old ways of learning and the new way of thinking.
The Internet of Things, in this case, allows kids to plunge into their familiar environment. They don't waste energy, instead, they channel it into learning in a format that is comfortable to them.
The most successful examples are SMART, IPEVO, Google Jamboard, Openboard, Vibe Collaboration Smart Whiteboard, etc.
These IoT technologies have become a real blessing in matters that involve routine classroom organization, personal remarks, and more. With this kind of progress, forgetting a diary at home or getting scolded by a teacher isn't scary, because no one else in the classroom will know about it. Possibility of personal communication excludes prerequisites for bullying by the teacher in front of other children as well as by children if the child is reprimanded by the teacher. This greatly increases psycho-emotional comfort in the learning environment.
The development of the Internet of Things makes it possible to not attend classes in person. This agenda is especially relevant in the light of the coronavirus pandemic with its total lockdowns and constant quarantines. This should not be allowed to become a barrier to getting an education. That's why smart apps like Zoom, Skype, etc. come to the rescue. These are apps that can provide video and voice communication so that lectures and tutorials can be conducted while on self-isolation, for example. The downside of this type of training is that not all students have access to technology and high-speed Internet.
It would be foolish to deny that the advantages of using the Internet of Things in education are far greater than the disadvantages. Humanity has now received the birth of a whole new digital ecosystem.
From the point of view of teachers and educators, the IoT offers them new opportunities in managing attendance, tracking and monitoring students' learning activities, and evaluating them. IoT helps monitor and keep track of necessary instructional equipment and control technology through voice or gesture commands inside the classroom.
IoT systems allow educational institutions to collect large amounts of data by using sensors and wearable devices in order to take practical steps based on the findings.
A plus for the students themselves is that all necessary learning information is now available on-demand. They can no longer spend hours sitting in the library looking for information. Instead, they can spend their free time more productively.
The IoT introduced a unique potential for deeper engaging students, teaching, and learning. It will be integrated into most educational institutions in the nearest future. It should be emphasized that the use of the Internet of Things is not only beneficial for distance learning, or for reducing the workload.
The vast variety of mobile applications, various trackers, and software developments that we have yet to see are aimed at revolutionizing the way we are used to perceiving the learning processes. The progress continues, and our opportunities come along with it.
Louis Sawyer is a professional writer, editor and a web design expert. She loves writing about technology trends, web development, mobile games and business issues. Also, Louis works as a proofreader at Computools. Follow Louis on Twitter
About Alex Well